How much money (in cash) can we bring when we land?

[Ponga]

That's interesting. So it looks like we'll probably have to convert it first.

NO.

Just call CBSA

 

[Shineon39]

That's interesting. So it looks like we'll probably have to convert it first.

If bringing cash is the only option then, yes, better to convert to CAD in your country first.

 

[CanadianAlien]

I made the call on you're behalf to CBSA...from the horses mouth.

You can bring in as much currency as you want, in what ever countries notes, as long as you declare if you are carrying more than the equivalent of $10,000 at the CBSA border post at the airport/port etc. If this is the case you will be expected to prove the source with a paper trail or expect a lengthy examination.

I know from experience (I used to work in the tourist Industry for over 2 years prior to my WP expiring) that Chinese for example, had NO problem exchanging funds at the numerous chinese banks trading in the Vancouver area...often for very large sums (one guest exchanged chinese for 14K CAN)...these guys walked out with cash on the spot....How they did it...not a clue, I only saw the result.

 

[TANMEX]

I made the call on you're behalf to CBSA...from the horses mouth.

You can bring in as much currency as you want, in what ever countries notes, as long as you declare if you are carrying more than the equivalent of $10,000 at the CBSA border post at the airport/port etc. If this is the case you will be expected to prove the source with a paper trail or expect a lengthy examination.

I know from experience (I used to work in the tourist Industry for over 2 years prior to my WP expiring) that Chinese for example, had NO problem exchanging funds at the numerous chinese banks trading in the Vancouver area...often for very large sums (one guest exchanged chinese for 14K CAN)...these guys walked out with cash on the spot....How they did it...not a clue, I only saw the result.

The money exchange downtown Toronto will exchange any currency any amount on the spot .

 

[Shineon39]

I made the call on you're behalf to CBSA...from the horses mouth.

You can bring in as much currency as you want, in what ever countries notes, as long as you declare if you are carrying more than the equivalent of $10,000 at the CBSA border post at the airport/port etc. If this is the case you will be expected to prove the source with a paper trail or expect a lengthy examination.

I agree, you can bring as much as you want in whatever currency as long you declare if over 10 000$.
I think the biggest issue with cash would be the exchange rate. If you bring big amount of foreign currency to bank you will get better exchange rate but if not usd or euro they'll freeze the money, confirmed by my bank representative at BMO.
For sure you can go to private exchange office at the airport and get CAD right away but you'll get sh**ty exchange rate. In my own experience, last time I went to Thailand, I got Thai baht at Montreal airport and 1$ gave me only 23 baht, when I arrived in Thailand with 1$ I got 26.5 baht at the atm with credit card.
But I'm living in a small town in Quebec where the bank doesn't see foreign currency often. For sure in Toronto and Vancouver probably there is more service available for tourist and immigrant

 

[dmac]

Wow! You guys have all been extremely helpful. Thanks for all the input! ;D

 

[Bricksmith]

I made the call on you're behalf to CBSA...from the horses mouth.

You can bring in as much currency as you want, in what ever countries notes, as long as you declare if you are carrying more than the equivalent of $10,000 at the CBSA border post at the airport/port etc. If this is the case you will be expected to prove the source with a paper trail or expect a lengthy examination.

I know from experience (I used to work in the tourist Industry for over 2 years prior to my WP expiring) that Chinese for example, had NO problem exchanging funds at the numerous chinese banks trading in the Vancouver area...often for very large sums (one guest exchanged chinese for 14K CAN)...these guys walked out with cash on the spot....How they did it...not a clue, I only saw the result.

As stated above, the issue isn't bringing cash in - you can convert whatever currency you want. The problem is getting it out. Every country is fine with money coming into the country - it's when you take money out of the country that they put limits. Your problem is going to be the limit on what you can take with you when you are leaving.

If you have a large amount, I recommend gold instead of paper currency. 8)

 

[SeulDansMonBocal]

From experience watching border protection show on discovery Channel. You can bring as much as you want but you have to check yes to having over $10000. Also be careful of the exchange rate. They use the rate they find on Google at that moment so I'll advised exchanging it to canadian dollars so you know exactly what you have.