How many cigarettes can I bring into Canada?

Canada allows 200 cigarettes 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 cigarettes at Canada customs?

Only above the allowance. Up to 200 cigarettes 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 cigarettes in Canada?

If the goods are found without being declared, the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. The goods are confiscated.

Do duty-free purchases count toward the Canada allowance for cigarettes?

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 cigarettes 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.

Is there a minimum age for the cigarettes allowance in Canada?

Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for cigarettes at all, not a smaller one.

Can I take cigarettes out of Canada?

Canada publishes no separate rule for taking cigarettes out; the destination's rules are what will apply.

Does the Canada limit for cigarettes 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 I Declare: A guide for residents returning to Canada. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16.

How does Canada compare with other countries on cigarettes?

Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cigarettes, 17 limit it and 4 let it through. Canada is among the ones that set a limit.

How much Cigarettes can I bring into Canada?

Restricted

You can bring Cigarettes into Canada only within the stated limits.

Extra conditions apply

Cabin baggage —

Checked baggage —

Declaration Above allowance

Limit 200 piece

What you need to know

200 piece
Channels: Arrival duty-free, Carried with the traveler, Post or courier
Extra conditions apply
All of these allowances apply at the same time and do not share a combined cap.

Important

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

If you do not declare

Step 1: Confiscation, Administrative fine
Step 2: Confiscation

Official sources

Last verified 2026-09-18

I Declare: A guide for residents returning to Canada Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

Questions about Cigarettes in Canada

How many cigarettes can I bring into Canada?: Canada allows 200 cigarettes 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 cigarettes at Canada customs?: Only above the allowance. Up to 200 cigarettes 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 cigarettes in Canada?: If the goods are found without being declared, the goods are confiscated; an administrative fine is imposed. The goods are confiscated.
Do duty-free purchases count toward the Canada allowance for cigarettes?: 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 cigarettes 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.
Is there a minimum age for the cigarettes allowance in Canada?: Yes — 18 years. A traveller under that age gets no allowance for cigarettes at all, not a smaller one.
Can I take cigarettes out of Canada?: Canada publishes no separate rule for taking cigarettes out; the destination's rules are what will apply.
Does the Canada limit for cigarettes 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 I Declare: A guide for residents returning to Canada. CarryRules last confirmed that sentence at the source on 2026-09-16.
How does Canada compare with other countries on cigarettes?: Of the 21 countries covered here, 0 prohibit cigarettes, 17 limit it and 4 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

Cigarillos (cigars weighing not more than 3 g each) Cigars Cigars and other tobacco (by weight) Cuban-origin cigars and other tobacco products Cut/loose tobacco Disposable e-cigarette