Goods Across Borders · Customs rule card
Consumer Drone → Canada
Purpose: Traveling · Verified: 2026-08-22
Transport Canada registration required
Details
Canada requires drone registration with Transport Canada for drones 250g to 25kg. Pilots must have a basic or advanced pilot certificate. No-fly zones include airports, military areas, and near emergency scenes. Advanced operations (near people, controlled airspace) require additional certification. Enforcement in Canada carries fines from CAD 500 to CAD 5,000 under Customs Act R.S.C. 1985 c.1 s.12, s.153 (ordinary personal cases are handled as civil infringements). Leaving Canada with consumer drone is a separate question — restricted: Consumer drones may generally be exported from Canada for personal use; higher-specification drones face dual-use controls and many destinations restrict drone import.
Quantity limit
Personal use with certificate
Documentation required
- Transport Canada drone registration
- Basic pilot certificate
Legal reference
Canadian Aviation Regulations Part 9
Leaving with this item
Consumer drones may generally be exported from Canada for personal use; higher-specification drones face dual-use controls and many destinations restrict drone import.
IATA dangerous goods
Consumer Drone is classified under Class 9 — Miscellaneous dangerous goods. Cabin and checked-baggage limits apply on top of customs rules.
Practical advice
Register at drone-management.caar.gc.ca. Basic pilot certificate exam is online.
Customs authority
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) · https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca