Customs and immigration

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) screens all travellers landing in Canada at Pearson Airport. If you are arriving on a US or international flight, you will need to confirm your identity with CBSA and declare any goods that you are bringing into the country.

Arriving from an international destination

If you’re arriving at Pearson on an international flight, you can use a primary inspection kiosk (PIK) or eGate to confirm your identity and submit your customs declaration. Up to five travellers living in the same country can use a kiosk together.

How to use the PIK

  1. Scan your travel document (for example: passport or permanent resident card)
  2. Take your photo at the kiosk when prompted
  3. Answer a few questions to complete your declaration
  4. Take your kiosk receipt to a border services officer

Look for one of our representatives if you need help using the kiosk.

Who cannot use the kiosks?

The following travellers will be directed to a border services officer for in-person processing:

  • Travellers with a non-machine-readable travel document
  • Travellers with a travel document other than a passport or a Canadian Permanent Resident card
  • Unaccompanied children under 16 years of age

NEXUS members and diplomats

If you are a NEXUS member, you can choose to use the dedicated NEXUS kiosk or use your passport at one of the regular PIKs. Diplomats and their families should continue to use the special services counter for in-person processing.

Visas and Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Before you book your flight to Pearson Airport, check to see if you need a visa or an eTA to visit or transit through Canada. Find out if you need a visa

Save time by using Advance Declaration

Use the Advance Declaration feature in the ArriveCAN app to fill in your customs and immigration declaration. This can be done up to 72 hours in advance to save you time when you arrive at the airport.

Find out more about using Advanced Declaration to save time at the border. 

Clearing customs

There are detailed rules about what you may bring into Canada, both as a foreign traveller or a returning citizen. Some items may be subject to duty, taxes or restrictions, or even prohibited.

Find out more about planning your trip across the border.

“Goods to Declare” Lane Now in Place

Toronto Pearson, in collaboration with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), has introduced a “Goods to Declare” Lane across both terminals as part of a pilot initiative launched on May 28.

This update is a small but meaningful change designed to make the arrivals process more intuitive and efficient, helping passengers move through customs with greater clarity and a smoother overall flow.

When exiting the baggage hall:

  • All travellers are still required to present their declaration to a CBSA officer.
  • Passengers with goods to declare can follow clearly marked “Goods to Declare” signage, leading directly to CBSA officers for any required assessment and processing.
  • Passengers without goods to declare can continue through the standard exit as directed.

Passengers who have goods to declare but enter the standard exit will be redirected as needed for further screening and processing.

This approach brings greater consistency with international customs practices and supports a more streamlined and easy-to-navigate arrival experience for passengers entering Canada.

More information about PKIs
More customs information