Customs and immigration

Arriving from an international destination

If you’re arriving at Pearson on an international flight, you can use a primary inspection kiosk (PIK) to confirm your identity and submit your customs declaration. Up to five travellers living in the same country can use a kiosk together.

How to use the PIK

  1. Scan your travel document (for example: passport or permanent resident card)
  2. Take your photo at the kiosk when prompted
  3. Answer a few questions to complete your declaration
  4. Take your kiosk receipt to a border services officer

Look for one of our representatives if you need help using the kiosk.

Who cannot use the kiosks?

The following travellers will be directed to a border services officer for in-person processing:

  • Travellers with a non-machine-readable travel document
  • Travellers with a travel document other than a passport or a Canadian Permanent Resident card
  • Unaccompanied children under 16 years of age
  • Refugee claimants
  • Travellers requiring special services

NEXUS members and diplomats

If you are a NEXUS member, you can choose to use the dedicated NEXUS kiosk or use your passport at one of the regular PIKs. Diplomats and their families should continue to use the special services counter for in-person processing.

Save time by using Advanced CBSA Declaration

Use the Advanced CBSA Declaration feature within ArriveCAN online to fill in your customs and immigration declaration. This can be done up to 72 hours in advance of flying to save you time when you arrive at the airport.

The declaration is an optional feature built into the online version of ArriveCAN (not the mobile app).

Find out more about ArriveCAN and CBSA.

How to use Advanced CBSA Declaration 

After entering your travel and health information in ArriveCAN online, follow the prompt on your receipt page. To complete an Advance CBSA Declaration for yourself or your group before your trip:

  • confirm travel document information
  • answer the customs and immigration questions truthfully
  • send the declaration within 72 hours of arriving in Canada

You will receive confirmation of your Advance CBSA Declaration, including your reference number, by email.

When your flight lands:

  • scan your travel document(s) at the airport kiosk (note a maximum of 5 travellers can use one kiosk at a time)
  • the kiosk will pull up your reference number and declaration information
  • review, certify and submit your declaration
  • take the kiosk receipt to a border services officer for further processing

We encourage passengers arriving in Canada by air to use the Advance CBSA Declaration, which is part of our traveller modernization initiative.

Clearing customs

There are detailed rules about what you may bring into Canada, both as a foreign traveller or a returning citizen. Some items may be subject to duty, taxes or restrictions, or even prohibited.

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