Canada Customs & Revenue Agency
News Release

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Released: 24 February, 1999

Customs Declaration Made Easier For Air Travelers Entering Canada

VANCOUVER, February 24, 1999...Starting April 1, 1999, clearing customs at Canada's airports will become easier with the introduction of the new Family Customs Declaration Card.

Up to five family members will be able to make declarations on a single card, provided they all reside at the same address. This will save time for travelers and increase efficiency during customs inspection.

"The new card was tested extensively with travelers and customs inspectors across Canada," said Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of National Revenue and MP (Vancouver South Burnaby). "As a result, we now have a card that is easier to understand and complete, which will improve service for travelers, particularly parents travelling with young children."

The new Customs Declaration Card, which includes an information guide outlining traveler exemptions and customs requirements, will reduce printing costs by nearly half a million dollars per year. Statistics Canada estimates that the number of forms in circulation will be reduced by 37% as a result of this initiative. The information guide has also been updated so that travelers can determine their entitlements more easily. This also reduces the number of questions customs inspectors will need to ask.

The card is divided into four parts: the first part asks travelers for information such as their name, age, address, citizenship and the airline they traveled with; the second part asks visitors to declare the value of gifts, and quantity of alcohol and tobacco; the third part asks Canadian residents to declare the value of all goods they are bringing home; and the fourth part is for signatures.

"I would like to thank the airlines for their continued cooperation in helping us efficiently clear travelers through customs by stocking and distributing the cards to their passengers on aircraft," Mr. Dhaliwal said. "If travelers take a few moments before landing to correctly fill out the card, that will speed their processing through customs."

Air travel volumes have been growing steadily since the Open Skies Agreement of 1995. Nationally, Revenue Canada saw a 27.9% increase in the number of travelers entering Canada by air since 1994-95. This increase in traveler volumes has been particularly high at Canada's three major international airports. Volumes rose by more than 50% at Vancouver International Airport, 25% at Pearson International Airport, and 23% at Dorval Airport during the same period.

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