Canada Customs at Pearson International Airport: A Guide

As you arrive at Pearson International Airport, you'll need to navigate Canada Customs before proceeding to your next destination. The Canada Customs process is relatively straightforward, but it's essential to be prepared to avoid any delays.

Make sure you have all necessary documents, including your passport, visa (if required), and customs declaration form, also known as the CBSA Declaration Card. This form can be found on the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website or picked up at the airport.

You'll want to declare all goods you're bringing into Canada, including gifts, souvenirs, and any items exceeding the duty-free allowance. The duty-free allowance varies depending on the type of item and your country of origin, so it's a good idea to check the CBSA website for specific details.

At Pearson International Airport, you'll find a robust security system in place to ensure a safe and smooth travel experience. The Peel Regional Police is the primary law enforcement agency, while the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has a Toronto Airport Detachment to provide federal law enforcement services.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is responsible for security screening procedures, so be prepared to go through their processes before boarding your flight. This includes screening for prohibited items, such as sharp objects and liquids.

Other government agencies with security operations at Pearson include the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), and Transport Canada. Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conduct operations to facilitate United States border preclearance.

Here's a breakdown of the agencies involved in security and customs at Pearson International Airport:

Toronto Pearson International Airport has two active public terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 3, which handle domestic, transborder, and international travel. This unique setup means terminal operations are grouped by airlines and airline alliances rather than domestic and international routes.

Terminal 1 is the largest terminal at the airport, and it's where you'll find most of the airport's facilities and amenities. The terminal is designed to handle the high volume of passengers that come through the airport every day.

The former Terminal 2 was permanently closed and demolished in 2008 to make way for the expansion of Terminal 1. This expansion has improved the airport's overall capacity and efficiency.

At Pearson Airport, you'll find a robust security presence to ensure a safe and smooth travel experience. The Peel Regional Police is the primary law enforcement agency on site.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is responsible for security screening procedures, so be prepared to go through their checks before boarding your flight.

Other government agencies with security operations at Pearson include the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), and Transport Canada.

Several international agencies also have a presence at the airport, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which facilitate United States border preclearance.

Here's a list of some of the government agencies with security operations at Pearson Airport:

If you're returning to Canada by commercial aircraft, you'll receive a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Declaration Card to complete before you land.

You can usually make an oral declaration if you arrive in Canada in a private vehicle, such as an automobile, an aircraft, a boat, or a bus.

The CBSA offers an on-screen declaration option at selected international airports, where you can scan your travel document, take your photo, and answer a few questions to complete your declaration.

If you arrive at an airport without the kiosks, you'll receive a CBSA Declaration Card to complete before you land.

Ask the border services officer for a BSF192, Personal Exemption CBSA Declaration if you're declaring goods claimed as part of your 7 day/CAN$800 exemption that arrived in Canada before you or will arrive after your return to Canada.

You'll need your copy of this form to claim these goods, or you may have to pay the regular duty and taxes on them.

If you're traveling outside Canada with valuable items, consider taking advantage of a free identification service at all CBSA offices. This service is available for items with serial numbers or unique markings.

You can also get a sticker applied to items without serial numbers to help identify them for customs purposes. This will save you time and hassle when you return to Canada.

If you have a valuable item that you acquired in Canada or lawfully imported, make sure to show it to a border services officer and have them list it on a BSF407 form. This will help identify the item and prevent any issues when you return to Canada.

Toronto Pearson Airport is a major cargo hub in Canada, handling approximately half of all international air cargo in the country. This is a significant advantage for travelers and businesses alike.

The airport has three main cargo facilities: Cargo West, Cargo East, and Cargo North. Each of these facilities provides a unique set of services and amenities.

Cargo West, also known as the Infield Cargo Area, is a multi-tenant facility with three large buildings and 52,600 square metres of warehouse space. This is a massive space that can accommodate a wide range of cargo needs.

The Cargo West facility is connected to the passenger terminal area by a four-lane vehicle tunnel, making it easy to transport goods between the cargo and passenger areas. This tunnel is a convenient feature for travelers and businesses.

Cargo East, also known as the VISTA cargo area, is located north of Terminal 3 and has 29,500 square metres of warehouse space. This facility is also multi-tenant, with several buildings organized in a U-shape.

The Cargo North facility is the Canadian hub for FedEx Express and has two buildings with 32,100 square metres of warehouse space and a dedicated cargo apron. This facility is a key part of the airport's cargo operations.

False declarations can lead to big trouble. If you don't declare or falsely declare goods, the CBSA can seize them, and you may lose them permanently.

You could be hit with a hefty penalty too. The CBSA can impose a penalty ranging from 25% to 80% of the value of the seized goods, depending on the type of goods and circumstances.

Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages are treated differently. If you don't declare them, they'll be seized permanently, and there's no getting them back.

The CBSA keeps a record of infractions, so be careful. If you have an infraction record, you might face a more detailed examination on future trips, and you could even become ineligible for programs like NEXUS and CANPASS - Private aircraft.

If your goods are seized, you can appeal the decision. You'll need to write a letter to the CBSA within 90 days of the seizure date, and you can find more information on the appeal process on your seizure receipt form.

You can protect your valuables by taking advantage of a free identification service at all CBSA offices before traveling outside Canada. This service is available for items with serial numbers or unique markings.

If your valuables don't have these markings, the CBSA can apply a sticker to identify them for customs purposes.

A border services officer will list your valuables and their serial numbers on a wallet-sized card called a BSF407, Identification of Articles for Temporary Exportation, if you acquired them in Canada or lawfully imported them.

This card is a must-have when you return to Canada, as it will help identify your valuables that were in your possession before leaving the country.

For example, if you took an old diamond ring outside Canada and had it reworked, the original ring will be considered a returning good, even if it's now just a metal setting with no stone.

The new ring with the diamond will be treated like any other piece of jewelry purchased outside Canada, and you'll need to declare it accordingly, paying duty and taxes on its full value.

As you travel through Pearson International Airport, you'll likely have a layover or be heading to your final destination in Canada. Every traveller entering Canada has a key role to play in protecting Canada's animals, plants, and environment.

Failing to declare food, plant, and animal products can have real consequences, threatening Canada's food supply, agriculture industry, and economy, as well as the environment and natural resources.

Travellers, be aware that you have a responsibility to declare all items you bring into Canada. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency provides a list of what you can bring into Canada, but it's essential to check it carefully to avoid any issues.

You can find more information on what you can bring into Canada on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's website.