Apply for Your Canada CBSA Advance Declaration Online

Save time at the airport by completing your Canada customs and immigration declaration before you travel.

With VisaSyst, you can submit your Canada CBSA Advance Declaration early, avoid last-minute stress, and get expert guidance to make sure everything is correctly declared.

  • Submit your declaration weeks before travel
  • Get expert help with declaring goods
  • Family and group submissions made easy
  • Secure online payment
Start Your Declaration

Secure checkout. Support in 15+ languages. Verified reviews

VisaSyst is an independent service provider not affiliated with the Government of Canada. We provide expert assistance and automated submission for a private service fee.

Why Submit Your CBSA Declaration with VisaSyst?

The Canadian government allows travelers to complete their CBSA declaration online, but only within 72 hours of departure.

VisaSyst lets you prepare your declaration earlier and guarantees that it’s submitted at the correct time automatically. We’re trusted by more than 7.000 travelers worldwide.

  • Apply early — We handle the 72-hour window

    The official system only accepts submissions within 72 hours before your flight.

    With VisaSyst, you can complete your declaration up to 30 days before travel. Our system securely stores your details and automatically submits your declaration as soon as the government submission window opens.

    An early application gives you peace of mind and means you don’t need to worry about remembering the deadline. Instead, just focus on your trip.

  • Expert guidance for declared items

    Declaring goods incorrectly can lead to delays or penalties at the airport.

    Our specialists review the information you provide, including cash amounts, alcohol, tobacco, and gifts. This helps make sure everything is entered correctly before submission, so you can be confident you’re complying with the rules.

    We’ll also pick up small errors like typos to help avoid delays on arrival.

  • Multilingual support when you need it

    Customs questions can sometimes be confusing, especially when you’re traveling internationally.

    Our CBSA form is simplified to make it easy to complete, wherever you’re applying from. It contains built-in tooltips to give extra details on what’s required in each part of the form, including limits on restricted items.

    If you need extra assistance, our friendly Customer Support team speaks more than 15 languages. We’ll help you understand the declaration requirements, so you can complete your form with confidence.

  • Add family members in one submission

    Traveling with your family or in a large party? All adult passengers need their own CBSA document.

    Children traveling with you can be added to the same CBSA declaration, along with their passport details and any goods they may be carrying.

    VisaSyst allows you to include multiple travelers in one declaration process, making it easier to submit everything together instead of completing separate forms.

Need an eTA for Canada? It’s required for all visa-free visitors. Apply with VisaSyst in less than 10 minutes and get all the travel documents you need in one place.

What Is the Canada CBSA Advance Declaration?

The CBSA Advance Declaration is the digital customs and immigration form. It’s required for travelers arriving in Canada by air. If you’re arriving by land or sea, it’s not needed.

CBSA stands for the Canada Border Services Agency. It’s the local government agency responsible for:

  • Border control
  • Customs inspections
  • Immigration enforcement at ports of entry
  • Collecting duties and taxes on imported goods

The CBSA form replaces the traditional paper declaration card that passengers previously received during flights. Though it’s still possible to complete on arrival, most travelers choose to do it in advance.

Once complete, you’ll receive a CBSA QR code to show to border officers on arrival. This allows you to pass through customs checks more quickly.

CBSA: Key details

  • Validity: Single entry (one arrival)
  • Purpose: Customs and immigration declaration
  • Format: 100% digital
  • Airport use: Syncs with airport kiosks

Important: The CBSA Declaration isn’t related to your visa status. You must still hold a valid eTA or visa.

Who Needs the CBSA Advance Declaration?

The CBSA Advance Declaration is designed for international travelers arriving in Canada by air.

The CBSA requirement currently applies at the following airports:

Ontario

  • Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
  • Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ)
  • Ottawa International Airport (YOW)

British Columbia

  • Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

Manitoba

  • Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)

Quebec

  • Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
  • Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)

Alberta

  • Calgary International Airport (YYC)
  • Edmonton International Airport (YEG)

Nova Scotia

  • Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)

When you don’t need the CBSA

  • Entering by land (car, train, bus)
  • Arriving by sea or cruise ship
  • International-to-international transit without leaving the secure area

CBSA Requirements and Documents

To complete your CBSA Advance Declaration, you need:

  • Valid passport
  • Your flight details and arrival airport
  • Information about any goods you are declaring
  • Email address
  • Credit or debit card

Canadian customs rules require you to declare restricted goods like alcohol, tobacco, gifts, and cash amounts over $10,000 CAD. You’ll find more details in our form about the permitted limits and what to add to your declaration.

Providing accurate and complete information on your CBSA is essential. If you’re unsure about the requirements, please contact us.

Processing Times and Pricing

The official Canadian government fee for the CBSA declaration is $0 USD. VisaSyst charges a service fee for preparing, reviewing, and submitting your declaration at the correct time.

All applications made with us are reviewed by our team and processed within the official 72-hour window for your travel date, as required by Canadian authorities.

Priority Processing

If you have left your application to the last minute and need your CBSA urgently, select our Priority Processing option at checkout. We’ll process your declaration within 1 hour. It’s the fastest way to get your approved QR code.

Our price breakdown

With VisaSyst, the total price of your CBSA application includes our service fee. This covers:

  • Expert review of your declaration
  • Automated submission within the government time window
  • Customer support throughout the process

There are no government fees for the CBSA, so there are no additional payments to make.

We prioritize transparency when it comes to our fees, so you know exactly what you’re paying for. Your final cost breakdown is displayed clearly at checkout.

How to Submit Your CBSA Declaration with VisaSyst

We simplify the declaration process, so you can complete your CBSA in just a few minutes before your trip.

  • online_application_icon

    Step 1 – Complete our online form

    Fill in your passport details, flight information, and any items you need to declare. Check our tooltips for all the details on what’s needed.

  • secure

    Step 2 – Secure payment & review

    Pay our service fee to submit your application. Our specialists review your declaration to pick up any errors before processing.

  • simplified_form_icon

    Step 3 – Automatic submission

    Your declaration is placed in our secure submission queue. Once the 72-hour government window opens, we automatically submit it on your behalf and send you the confirmation by email.

    Your approved CBSA document contains a QR code. Show it at the airport kiosk when you arrive in Canada.

FAQs About the CBSA Advance Declaration

Does the CBSA declaration replace my eTA?

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No. The CBSA Advance Declaration does not replace your eTA or visa. To board your flight to Canada, you need a visa or an eTA if you’re from a visa-exempt country. Only United States citizens and permanent residents can enter without an eTA or visa.

Do I need to print the declaration?

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You can present the confirmation on your mobile phone or as a printed copy when using airport kiosks. We recommend downloading the document for your records.

Can I include children in the same declaration?

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Yes. Parents or guardians can include minor travelers in the same declaration.

If I transit through Canada, do I need to submit a declaration?

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If you remain inside the secure international transit area, you don’t need to submit a CBSA. However, if you leave the transit area and pass through customs controls into Canada, a declaration is required.

Can I submit the CBSA declaration for free?

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Yes. You can complete the declaration directly through the Canadian government system within 72 hours before departure. VisaSyst charges a service fee for early preparation, expert review, and automated submission within the official time window.