Do I have to declare infant milk and special medical food at Canada customs?

No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.

What happens if I do not declare infant milk and special medical food in Canada?

Under Memorandum D2-3-1, Tariff item No. 9804.30.00, Note 1, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Customs Act, section 124, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed. Under Customs Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the Canada allowance for infant milk and special medical food?

Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.

Can I post or ship infant milk and special medical food to Canada instead of carrying it?

Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.

Can I take infant milk and special medical food out of Canada?

Canada publishes no separate rule for taking infant milk and special medical food out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Canada limit for infant milk and special medical food apply per person or per family?

Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.

Where does this rule come from?

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) states it in Maximum Quantity Limits for Personal Use Exemption. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.

How does Canada compare with other countries on infant milk and special medical food?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 1 prohibit infant milk and special medical food, 9 limit it and 11 let it through. Canada is among the more permissive.

How much infant milk and special medical food can I bring into Canada?

Official classification: Powdered infant milk, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons

Allowed

You can bring infant milk and special medical food into Canada without a special limit.

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Not required

Limit 20 kilogram

What you need to know

20 kilogram (44.09 lb)
Channels: Carried with the traveler

Important

This allowance applies per person, not per family or group.

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Maximum Quantity Limits for Personal Use Exemption Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Questions about Infant milk and special medical food in Canada

How much infant milk and special medical food can I bring into Canada?: Canada allows 20 kilograms of powdered infant milk, infant food and special foods required for medical reasons per traveller without duty. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare infant milk and special medical food at Canada customs?: No — within the allowance it passes without a declaration.
What happens if I do not declare infant milk and special medical food in Canada?: Under Memorandum D2-3-1, Tariff item No. 9804.30.00, Note 1, if you declare the excess yourself: a flat-rate charge is applied to the excess; the normal duty becomes payable on the excess. Under Customs Act, section 124, if the goods are found without being declared: an administrative fine is imposed. Under Customs Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. 1: the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the Canada allowance for infant milk and special medical food?: Yes. What you buy in an arrival duty-free shop comes out of the same allowance, so the shop does not add to what you may already be carrying.
Can I post or ship infant milk and special medical food to Canada instead of carrying it?: Not under this allowance. It covers goods a traveller carries; a parcel is an import and is assessed under the postal rules instead. Baggage sent before or after you travels under the same allowance.
Can I take infant milk and special medical food out of Canada?: Canada publishes no separate rule for taking infant milk and special medical food out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Canada limit for infant milk and special medical food apply per person or per family?: Per person. Each traveller carries their own allowance and it cannot be pooled with anyone else's.
Where does this rule come from?: Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) states it in Maximum Quantity Limits for Personal Use Exemption. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19.
How does Canada compare with other countries on infant milk and special medical food?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 1 prohibit infant milk and special medical food, 9 limit it and 11 let it through. Canada is among the more permissive.

Related countries

Australia China France Germany

Quick facts

Jurisdiction: Canada
Travel mode: Air

Freshness

Last verified: 2026-09-19
Next review: 2026-12-17

Destination

CA Canada

All Canada rules

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