Guidelines for Bringing Cigars into Canada Under Your Personal Exemption

If you include cigars in your personal exemption when entering Canada, you may only qualify for a partial exemption. You must pay a special duty on cigars unless they have an excise stamp that reads “DUTY PAID CANADA DROIT ACQUITTÉ.” Canadian-made cigars with this stamp are often sold at duty-free shops and are exempt from additional duties. To ensure a smooth customs process, have your cigars available for inspection upon arrival.

If you exceed your personal exemption limit for cigars, you will be required to pay regular duties and taxes on the amount over the limit. This may also include additional provincial or territorial fees. When calculating these charges, border services officers will provide an allowance for cigars with the “DUTY PAID CANADA DROIT ACQUITTÉ” stamp.

Under the Excise Act, 2001, there are limits on the number of cigars you can import for personal use if they do not have the “DUTY PAID CANADA DROIT ACQUITTÉ” excise stamp. Currently, the limit is five units of tobacco products, and one unit can include up to 50 cigars.