GENERAL INFORMATION | International Travel
ATTENTION US CITIZENS
Travel between the US and Canada REQUIRES a US Passport. Currently, the processing time for US passports is between 4-5 months. Please check the US Travel website for complete information.
For an official letter of invitation, please contact the ATC Director of Registration, Pat McFadden at pmcfadden@ahint.com
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Canada has one of the most advanced customs organizations in the world, and our borders and the processes we have in place to manage them are absolutely critical to our ability to provide Canadians and visitors to Canada with the security and peace of mind they expect.
Visitors entering Canada must clear Canada Customs border security upon entry. For visitors traveling by road, Toronto’s nearest Canada-U.S. border crossings are at Niagara Falls, Fort Erie and Windsor.
ENTRY INTO CANADA
Effective January 23, 2007, American visitors travelling by air require a valid passport to re-enter the United States.
American visitors crossing the border by land (car, bus, train) or sea do not require a passport to re-enter the United States at this time. The U.S. Government is planning to require passports for travellers crossing the border by land and sea beginning in 2008.
Visitors may be asked to verify citizenship and should therefore carry at least one of the following documents: birth certificate, naturalization certificate, Green Card or passport. Photo identification is also required, so visitors should carry their driver’s license or other valid photo ID with them.
For more information on travel security and border procedures, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security web site.
ANYTHING TO DECLARE?
Returning to the United States
Every 30 days, returning U.S. citizens are allowed to bring back $400 (retail value) in merchandise duty-free, provided they have been out of the U.S. for 48 hours. This amount can include:
- one carton of cigarettes
- 100 cigars (not Cuban)
- two kilograms of smoking tobacco
- one litre of liquor, provided the buyer is 21 years of age
If the length of the stay is less than 48 hours, $200 in merchandise may be taken back to the U.S. duty-free (including up to five ounces of alcohol and 50 cigarettes). The following items are not permitted into the U.S.:
- Cuban or Iranian products
- fruits and vegetables
- uncooked grains
Goods bought in Canada but manufactured in the U.S. are duty-free and not included in the basic exemption. Original handmade crafts and works of art are also exempt; however, a receipt of purchase may be required.
For further information on U.S. customs regulations, please call (905) 676-2606.
Returning to other countries
Before leaving home, visitors from other countries should check the customs regulations of their country by contacting the appropriate government department.
Taxes
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a 5% tax that is charged on most goods and services sold or provided in Canada. And as we’re part of the Province of Ontario, purchases made in Toronto are also subject to the 8% Provincial Sales Tax (PST).
Tax Rebates for Foreign-Based Convention Organizers
If the attendance at your convention is at least 75 per cent non-Canadian, you may be able to claim a rebate for tax paid on exhibition space and convention supplies (including business equipment rental, security, audiovisual equipment and speakers). If you’re planning a meeting, trade show or convention in Toronto, contact Tourism Toronto and Canada Customs & Revenue Agency well in advance to determine whether you qualify and what steps you’ll need to take.