Customs & Duty Free

All persons entering Canada must fill out a declaration for Canada Customs. Each visitor over the age of 19 may import, duty free, a maximum of 40 ounces (1.1 litres) liquor or wine, or 288 ounces (8.5 litres) of beer or ale, up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes and 8 ounces (200 grams) of tobacco. Revolvers, pistols, and fully automatic firearms are prohibited entry into Canada. Refer to Canada Border Services Agency (1.800.461.9999 for North America, 001.204.983.3500 for International)

Visas

For information regarding visas and entry requirements for Canada, contact Immigration Canada at 1.888.242.2100 (in Canada). From outside Canada, please contact the nearest Canadian Embassy, High Commission, or consulate in your region.

Tax

The following outlines tax considerations for visitors to Burlington: There are three levels of taxation that affect visitors to Burlington.

There's a 11% tax charged on accommodation and liquor. For most other goods and services, there is a 8% provincial sales tax (PST) and the 5% federal goods and services tax (GST).

Provincial Sales Tax

Sales tax on all purchases is 8 percent. However, if a visitor purchases goods and services and the vendor ships the goods or services directly to their home location outside of Ontario, no sales tax is charged. This excludes automobiles, aircraft and building materials. Visitors to Ontario are eligible to reclaim the provincial 8% Retail Sales Tax (RST) paid on goods permanently removed from Ontario within 30 days of purchase. To qualify, RST paid on each purchase must total at least $50 (Canadian), before taxes. Please note that a refund is not available for the RST paid on accommodation or on taxable services. For more information about the RST refund and to obtain an application form, call 1.800.263.7965 (within Canada) or 1.905.432.3332 (outside Canada).

Goods & Services Tax (GST) (5%)

The Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of five per cent is an additional tax applicable to most purchased goods and services purchased in Canada, regardless of whether the buyer is a resident of or visitor to Canada.

Destination Marketing Fee

The Burlington Hotel Association member hotels voluntarily collect a destination marketing fee. This fee is a 3% surcharge applied to short-term accommodation rentals of less than 30 days duration. The fee helps Burlington to develop new markets and increase consumer awareness of a destination.

Related pages:

• Other Tips

• Currency & Banking