After a winter in the sunshine, the drive or flight home is the last stretch of the season. A little planning before you pack the car makes the border crossing quick and easy. Here’s what to know before you head back to Northumberland County.
Before you leave
- Gather your receipts. Keep receipts for everything you bought or were given while you were away, in one envelope.
- Make a simple list of what you’re bringing back and roughly what each item cost, in Canadian dollars.
- Keep your passport and your travel companion’s passport together and easy to reach, not packed in the trunk.
- Check border wait times on the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website before you set off. Crossing early in the morning or mid-week is often quieter, and a different crossing may save you time.
How much can you bring back duty-free?
Canadian residents get a personal exemption based on how long they’ve been away. Each person has their own exemption. You can’t combine yours with your partner’s or a travel companion’s.
| Time away | Duty-free amount | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 24 hours | None | Day trips don’t qualify. |
| 24 hours or more | Up to $200 | Alcohol and tobacco not included. Go over $200 and you pay on the full amount. |
| 48 hours or more | Up to $800 | Alcohol and tobacco can be included, within limits. |
| 7 days or more | Up to $800 | Alcohol and tobacco must travel with you. Other goods can follow by mail or courier, but you still declare them when you arrive. |
Most snowbirds fall into the 7-day group. If you go over $800, you only pay duty and tax on the amount above it.
Alcohol limits (choose one)
- Wine: up to 1.5 litres, about two regular bottles
- Spirits: up to 1.14 litres, one large bottle
- Beer: up to 8.5 litres, about 24 regular cans or bottles
Tobacco has its own limits too, such as 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars. The full list is on the CBSA website.
Things to declare (and things to leave behind)
- Food, plants and animal products. Declare them all. Rules for items like poultry, eggs, meat and some fruits and plants can change quickly because of animal and plant diseases. Check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s online tool before you shop.
- Medications. Keep them in their original labelled containers. Health Canada generally allows up to a 90-day supply for personal use.
- Cash. If you’re carrying $10,000 or more (in any currency, combined), you must declare it.
- Cannabis. Never bring it across the border in any form, including CBD or THC oils, even if it was bought legally. A doctor’s note isn’t enough.
- Pets. Bring your pet’s up-to-date rabies vaccination certificate.
At the border
Answer the officer’s questions honestly and declare everything, even if you think it’s within your limit. If you’re not sure whether something counts, just ask. Officers would much rather you ask than guess.
Flying home? At many major Canadian airports, including Toronto Pearson, you can fill in your customs declaration ahead of time using the free ArriveCAN app or website. It can mean a faster line when you land.
Once you’re home
- Count your days away. To keep your OHIP coverage, Ontario generally asks that you be in the province for at least 153 days in any 12-month period, which means you can be away up to 212 days. Keep a simple calendar of your travel dates.
- Keep your U.S. paperwork. Save your I-94 or registration proof and a note of your travel dates. You’ll want them for next season and for your U.S. day count.
- Put Form 8840 on your calendar. If you spent a good part of the winter in the U.S., you may need to send this form to the IRS by June 15. See our Form 8840 guide.
Questions about what you’re bringing home? The CBSA Border Information Service is at 1-800-461-9999.
Amounts are in Canadian dollars. Rules can change, so check the official websites before you travel. This article is general information only. Last checked October 2026.
Sources: CBSA: Bringing goods back as a returning resident · Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Travellers · Ontario: OHIP coverage · Canadian Snowbird Association: Travel tips for snowbirds returning to Canada