Do I have to declare liquids, aerosols and gels at Canada customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 100 milliliters of Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.

What happens if I do not declare liquids, aerosols and gels 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 liquids, aerosols and gels?

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 liquids, aerosols and gels 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 liquids, aerosols and gels out of Canada?

Canada publishes no separate rule for taking liquids, aerosols and gels out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Canada limit for liquids, aerosols and gels 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 Liquids, Non-solid Food & Personal Items. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Containers of liquids, non-solid food and personal items in your carry-on must be 100 ml/100 g (3.4 oz) or less.”

How does Canada compare with other countries on liquids, aerosols and gels?

Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit liquids, aerosols and gels, 13 limit it and 7 let it through. Canada is among the ones that set a limit.

How many liquids, aerosols and gels can I bring into Canada?

Official classification: Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs)

Restricted

You can bring liquids, aerosols and gels into Canada only within the stated limits.

Carried Limited

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 100 milliliter

What you need to know

100 milliliter (3.38 fl oz)
Channels: Carried with the traveler

On the plane

Airline differences

Airline	Difference from the baseline
Air France	Stricter than the standard rule
British Airways	More permissive

Important

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

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-19

Liquids, Non-solid Food & Personal Items Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

Questions about Liquids, aerosols and gels in Canada

How many liquids, aerosols and gels can I bring into Canada?: Canada allows 100 milliliters of Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) per traveller. Above that the goods are treated as an import and duty becomes payable. The allowance is per traveller and cannot be pooled between people.
Do I have to declare liquids, aerosols and gels at Canada customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 100 milliliters of Liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) there is nothing to declare; beyond it you take the goods through the red channel and pay the duty.
What happens if I do not declare liquids, aerosols and gels 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 liquids, aerosols and gels?: 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 liquids, aerosols and gels 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 liquids, aerosols and gels out of Canada?: Canada publishes no separate rule for taking liquids, aerosols and gels out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Canada limit for liquids, aerosols and gels 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 Liquids, Non-solid Food & Personal Items. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-19. The sentence it rests on reads: “Containers of liquids, non-solid food and personal items in your carry-on must be 100 ml/100 g (3.4 oz) or less.”
How does Canada compare with other countries on liquids, aerosols and gels?: Of the 20 countries covered here, 0 prohibit liquids, aerosols and gels, 13 limit it and 7 let it through. Canada is among the ones that set a limit.

Related items

Accompanied cash Accompanying goods, non-commercial (flat-rate band) Agricultural/forestry/fishery/livestock products (general sub-cap) Alcohol and alcoholic beverages above 22% vol (or undenatured ethyl alcohol 80% vol and over)

Related countries

Australia China France Germany

Other items in this group

Cargo liquids in checked baggage (Zamzam water, edible oil, liquid food) Duty-free liquids in a sealed security bag Medicine and baby food/milk liquids exempted from the LAG limit Perfume and toilet water Skincare and make-up products