Canada has no "Exit Immigration" counter, but India has strict "Entry Customs." Pack for India, not just for the flight.
🛑 A. The "No Exit Stamp" Surprise
Unlike India or Dubai, you do not meet an officer to "stamp you out."
- The Process: You check in, drop bags, go through security, and walk straight to the gate.
- Where is the Officer? There isn't one. The airline sends your exit data to the Canadian government electronically.
- The Warning: Do not wander around looking for an "Immigration Booth" to stamp your passport. You will miss your flight.
🎒 B. Security: The "Powder Rule" (Crucial for Indians)
If you are taking spices, turmeric, or protein powder back home, read this.
- The Rule (CATSA): In your Carry-On (Hand) Bag, you generally cannot have "inorganic powders" (salt, foot powder, cooking powders, sand) greater than 350 ml (roughly the size of a soda can).
- The Fix: Put all Masalas, Turmeric, and Protein Powders in your Checked Luggage.
- The Risk: If you leave them in your hand bag, security will likely throw them in the dustbin. They will not let you go back to check them in.
🛍️ C. The "No Refund" Reality (VAT/GST)
- The Rule: Canada does NOT refund sales tax (HST/GST) to tourists at the airport.
- The Myth: Many old blogs say you can claim it back. This program was cancelled years ago.
- Result: The 13% tax you paid on your iPhone, clothes, or gifts is gone. Do not go to the airport early expecting a refund counter.
🇮🇳 D. Landing in India: The "Customs" Trap (For Visitors)
Your parents are "Tourists returning home," NOT "NRIs returning after 1 year." The rules are different.
1. Gold (The Big Warning) ⚠️
- The Myth: "Men can bring 20g and women can bring 40g of gold."
- The Truth: This rule ONLY applies if you have lived abroad for more than 1 year.
- For Short-Term Visitors (e.g., 2-6 months): You DO NOT get the special gold allowance. Your gold counts towards your general duty-free limit (see below). If you are wearing heavy new jewelry you bought in Canada, you might be taxed.
- TVT Advice: Wear the same old personal jewelry you wore when leaving India. Do not buy new gold bars/coins in Canada to take back; customs duty is high (approx 38.5% for short-term visitors).
2. Alcohol Limit 🍾
- Limit: 2 Litres (Whisky/Wine) per person.
- Strategy: Buy this at the Duty-Free shop in Canada or your layover airport (Dubai/London). It is cheaper than buying in India.
3. Electronics & Gifts 💻
- General Allowance: You can bring gifts/items worth up to ₹50,000 duty-free.
- Laptops: One laptop is allowed duty-free (for travelers over 18 years).
- Phones: One personal phone is fine. If you carry 3 sealed iPhones for cousins, you will pay customs duty (~38.5%).
🇺🇸 E. US Pre-Clearance (If flying via USA)
- The Warning: If your flight is Toronto ➝ New York ➝ India:
- The Procedure: You will do your US Immigration & Customs inside the Canadian airport (Toronto/Vancouver) before you board the plane.
- Time: This adds 1-2 hours to your process. You must arrive 4 hours early for US-transit flights.