HandyVisas logoApply Online for a Canada Advance CBSA Declaration | HandyVisas

Canada Advance CBSA Declaration

Contact your nearest embassy or consulate of Canada for more information.

Check eligibility

Select your country of passport to see if you are eligible to apply online.
Select your country

Advance CBSA Declaration Information

The Canada Advance CBSA Declaration is an electronic customs and immigration declaration.

It is regarded as a convenient modern upgrade to the old paper customs forms.

Passengers arriving in Canada by plane must complete a declaration for customs and immigration and present this to a border control officer.

The form includes questions about items you are bringing into Canada. You must declare any goods that are not covered in traveler exemptions.

You must also provide details about your journey to Canada and your stay in the country.

The Advance CBSA Declaration allows you to provide this information online before the trip.

This saves time filling out paperwork at the Canadian border.

All air passengers must complete a Canada customs form, regardless of nationality or purpose of visit.

Each CBSA declaration is valid for a single entry. You must complete a new declaration each time you fly to Canada.

Highlights Icon
Highlights
Single use
For air passengers
All nationalities are eligible
Saves time at Canadian border control
What Is Necessary?
Add passport info

Passport details

Credit/Debit Card

Method of payment

email address

Current email address

Add travel info

Travel plan

add other documents

Flight landing at one of the selected airports

Advance Declaration for Canada Requirements

The CBSA Declaration form is one of Canada’s entry requirements.

Only a few things are required to complete the Advance Declaration for Canada online before your flight.

You do not need to upload any supporting documents, but you must provide details of the following:

  • Passport valid for 6 months
  • Flight information
  • Duration of stay

This means that you should book your flight and make travel arrangements to leave Canada before you can complete your CBSA Declaration form online.

Your flight must be booked to arrive at one of the selected airports in Canada that are equipped to process the electronic customs declaration. These airports are:

  • Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
  • Calgary International Airport (YYC)
  • Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
  • Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
  • Montréal – Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
  • Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
  • Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
  • Toronto Pearson International Airport – Terminal 1 (YYZ)
  • Toronto Pearson International Airport – Terminal 3 (YYZ)
  • Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
  • Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)

You must also provide an email address to receive confirmation of your CBSA Declaration.

To cover the processing fee, you must enter your card details when prompted.

Country policy

Canada Visa Policy

>

Check the visa policy of Canada and discover the travel requirements for your nationality.

Visa requirements checker

Select nationality
Select destination

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Canada Visa FAQ

  • Can I fill out the Canada customs form online?

    Yes, you can complete the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration online before your trip to provide your customs information.

    This saves time on arrival and avoids the hassle of filling out paperwork by hand after your journey.

  • How does the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration work when I land in Canada?

    You can use your Canada Advance CBSA Declaration to clear border control using the automated services available.

    Scan your passport or travel document at the eGate or kiosk. The system will recognize the document and retrieve the electronic declaration associated with it.

    You can review and make any necessary edits to your declaration at the eGate or kiosk. Next, submit the final declaration, which will print a receipt. Take this to a border services officer.

  • Who needs to complete the Canada Customs Declaration?

    All travelers entering Canada must complete a customs declaration.

    The online Canada Advance CBSA Declaration makes it quicker and easier to provide the necessary information than ever before.

    The ability to complete the declaration online means you can do it at your own convenience before your trip, using any laptop or mobile device with an internet connection.

  • Do you need to get a visa to travel to Canada?

    Depending on your nationality, you may need to get a visa or eTA for Canada, as well as a CBSA Declaration.

  • Is the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration valid for multiple entries?

    No, each Canada customs declaration can only be used once. You need to complete a new declaration for every flight you take to Canada.

  • What customs information do I need to provide on the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration?

    There are a number of questions on the Canadian CBSA Declaration regarding what you’re bringing into the country in your luggage.

    Foreign nationals must declare the following on the form:

    • Whether you exceed your visitor allowances on goods, alcohol, tobacco, etc.
    • Firearms and weapons
    • Commercial goods
    • Food and agricultural products
    • Currency worth CAN$10,000 or more
    • Any unaccompanied goods
    • Items containing cannabis
    • If you have been to Uganda in the past 21 days
    • If you have visited a farm or plan to visit one in Canada

    If you are a Canadian citizen returning to Canada, you must declare:

    • The total value of goods bought or received abroad
    • If you exceed your personal allowance of alcohol or tobacco
  • How long will my Canada Advance CBSA Declaration take to process?

    In most cases, the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration is processed rapidly. Some travelers receive confirmation almost immediately, and most get the email on the same day they submit the online form.

    At most, it will take 2 days to process.

  • What can I do if I make a mistake in my declaration for Canada?

    You can amend your declaration information when you land at one of the major Canadian airports. Use the eGates or kiosk to review your declaration. You can then make any changes you need to before making the final submission.

  • Do I need to print a copy of the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration?

    No, all you need to do is bring the passport or travel document you registered in your Canada Advance CBSA Declaration.

    When you arrive in Canada, you have to scan this passport/travel document at one of the eGates or kiosks at the airport. This will retrieve your Advance CBSA Declaration from the electronic system.

    You will have the chance to review and amend your Declaration. The machine will then print you a receipt.

  • Which Canadian airports can I travel to with the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration?

    You can use the Advance CBSA Declaration to fly to any of the following Canadian destinations. These airports are equipped with the technology needed to read the electronic declaration:

    • Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
    • Calgary International Airport (YYC)
    • Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
    • Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
    • Montréal – Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
    • Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
    • Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)
    • Toronto Pearson International Airport – Terminal 1 (YYZ)
    • Toronto Pearson International Airport – Terminal 3 (YYZ)
    • Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
    • Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)
  • Is a Canada Advance CBSA Declaration a visa?

    The Canada Advance CBSA Declaration is not a visa or eTA. It is a separate document that is also needed for entry.

    All travelers arriving by air need a CBSA Declaration. This includes Canadian citizens and residents of Canada.

    Foreign nationals may also require a visa or eTA in addition to their CBSA declaration, depending on their nationality.

  • What is the validity period of the Canada Advance CBSA Declaration?

    The CBSA Declaration for Canada is only valid for a single use. You must state your date of arrival when completing the form.

    There is some flexibility on this date.

    The declaration will be valid for entry from the day before the date you provided.

    It will continue to be valid for 3 days after the date on the form. If you do not enter Canada in this time, the Advance CBSA Declaration will cease to be valid.

    You must complete a new Canada customs and immigration declaration each time you fly to the country.

  • How can I renew my Advance CBSA Declaration for Canada?

    You must complete a new CBSA Declaration every time you fly to Canada. You can do this online through our website.

    Each Canada Advance CBSA Declaration is done in the same way — enter your details into the online form and submit it.

Disclaimer
Handyvisas.com is not owned by, or affiliated with any government agency. We are a private, online agency that provides assistance in submitting applications for tourist visits to different countries around the world. Applications can also be made directly through government websites.