What You Can and Cannot Carry When Flying to Canada
Canada is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world with a huge variety of natural landscapes. There are a ton of places that you can visit in Canada like Niagara Falls, the Northern Lights, and Lake Superior to name a few. However, Canada is also among the most strict countries when it comes to enforcing rules regarding visa approval and traveling in general.
One of these rules pertains to what items you can and cannot carry within Canada during your trip. While your basic traveling gear is not going to face any restrictions during the flight, there are some items that you may wish to carry alongside your journey that either are prohibited or have certain limitations placed upon them that you must adhere to during your flight to Canada.
So, let us look at what you can and cannot carry when flying to Canada.
What You Can Carry During Your Flight to Canada
Alcohol
Alcohol is a favorite beverage for many people and fortunately, Canada allows tourists to visit the country with only 5 liters of alcohol. In addition to the quantity, tourists must also ensure that any alcoholic beverage they are carrying must be within the 24 to 70% range in terms of volume of alcohol present.
As long as your beverage is below or at this limit, you are free to carry such beverages along for your trip to Canada.
Avalanche Rescue Pack
Tourists who are looking to visit Canada for an adventurous trip may want to carry an Avalanche Rescue Pack with them to improve their chances of surviving in case they become trapped in an avalanche.
You are allowed to carry this item during your flight to Canada, however, the backpack which contains all of the necessary material for such a rescue pack must be approved by your airline first. To receive approval for your Avalanche Rescue Pack, make sure that the bag contains a pyrotechnic trigger along with a cylinder for compressed gas.
Also, ensure that the backpack is properly packed to prevent accidental activation during the flight, and make a note of every specification of your Avalanche Rescue Pack that you need to provide to your airlines.
Dry Ice
If you wish to carry dry ice during your flight to Canada, you can do so if your airline approves it. The most common use of dry ice is for preserving perishable goods that you wish to carry on a long journey. Flights usually only allow a maximum of 2.5 kgs of dry ice to be transported at one point in time.
To maximize your chances of having your flight approval, make sure to store your dry ice properly in baggage that allows for the release of carbon dioxide along with proper labeling that mentions the container as dry ice and the weight as 2.5 kg.
Ultimately, it depends on the purpose behind carrying dry ice with you and if your reason is different than the one mentioned above, you may have a harder time convincing your flight service to allow you to carry dry ice during the flight.
E-Cigarettes
Canada allows tourists to carry E-cigarettes with them on their trip to Canada, however, flight services have restrictions on E-cigarettes that you must be aware of beforehand. You are allowed to carry E-cigarettes with you during your flight, but you cannot use them throughout the flight.
In addition to E-cigarettes, the batteries used in these cigarettes must be stored in proper containers. You are also prohibited from charging your batteries during the flight as well and the batteries of an E-cigarette are vulnerable to short-circuiting during a flight.
Gas Cylinders
Airlines do allow tourists to carry gas cylinders with them during the flight as long as the tourist gets the consent of the airline beforehand. This involves stating your reason for carrying gas cylinders with you on airlines and the specifications of the gas cylinders.
Tourists carrying gas cylinders for medical purposes or due to necessary mechanical limb function will have an easier time convincing airlines for this reason. For any other reason, remember to check with your airlines first to confirm their consent.
Electronic Devices
Travelers visiting Canada may wish to carry electronic devices such as laptops, mobile phones, and cameras. While you are allowed to carry such items with you on your trip, you will need to check with your airlines regarding whether you can use these devices for the duration of the flight.
All airlines have their own restrictions on the use of such devices with a common restriction being that you cannot make calls during the flight. The reasons behind such restrictions are mainly due to the potential interference that the use of such devices can cause with the navigation systems and communication channels of the airplane.
So, remember to check with the airlines that you wish to travel with to stay updated on their rules regarding the use of portable electronic devices.
What You Cannot Carry During Your Flight to Canada
Firearms
All types of firearms and guns are prohibited from being transported on any airline as they are capable of causing serious harm to both the plane and the passengers seated within.
Blunt Instruments
While not all items commonly referred to as blunt objects are prohibited from being carried on a flight, there are many objects provided in the criminal laws of Canada that are prohibited from being brought into the country during the flight.
Objects Capable of Causing Explosion
Certain items that are prone to explosions during flight are not allowed to be carried onto a plane. Most devices intended for such purposes such as ammunition or firecrackers are prohibited from being carried on a flight to Canada.
Construction and Repair Tools
Tools such as hammers, saws, screwdrivers, etc. are considered very dangerous due to their potential for causing injuries and damage to the plane’s structural integrity. These tools can also be used by people with ill intentions to sabotage airplane systems which is a serious threat to the lives of the people present on the plane. So, flights strictly prohibit tourists from carrying such tools during their flight to Canada.
Items with Sharp Edges and Points
Other than construction tools, any items that have sharp edges or a pointed end can be extremely dangerous to the health of the passengers and staff aboard the plane which is why such items are strictly prohibited. Examples of such items include swords, axes, and any form of woodcutter.
Hazardous Substances
Certain objects have been termed as hazardous substances by Canadian laws like compressed gases, acidic substances, stun guns, and laser objects. These are considered dangerous to the health of the planes that carry them which is why they are strictly prohibited from being carried to Canada on flights.
Canada is one of the most sought-after countries by tourists for exploration and spending their holidays. Attractions such as Niagara Falls, The Northern Lights, and Lake Superior are excellent places to visit in Canada. However, there are many rules that a tourist must adhere to in order to not have any issues during their visit to Canada.
One of these includes the items that are allowed on flights traveling to the airport. As long as you adhere to these rules, you can have a very enjoyable and fun experience of traveling through Canada. So, if you are looking to visit Canada, start by applying for your Canadian tourist e-visa and book all your reservations in advance.
Entry into Canada requires either the Canada Visitor Visa or a Canada Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which only a few countries are eligible. It is important that you should check your eligibility for Canada eTA and apply for Canada eTA at least 72 hours in advance of your flight. Citizens of many countries including British citizens, New Zealand citizens, Polish citizens, South Korean citizens and Hong Kong citizens can apply online for eTA Canada Visa.