Passports
American citizens or permanent residents of the United States do not need a passport to visit Canada, but should carry a birth, baptismal or voter's certificate, or other documents establishing their citizenship. Naturalized U.S. citizens should carry evidence of citizenship, such as a naturalization certificate. Visitors from all other countries must have valid national passports.

Currency
The Canadian dollar is the currency used in Newfoundland and Labrador. Many operators and retailers will accept American dollars, but not always at the official exchange rate. However, businesses do not accept other foreign currencies; and there is no currency exchange house in the province. Even banks do not normally exchange foreign currencies. We recommend that you convert your national currency into Canadian dollars before you leave home.

If you would like to see how your currency converts, please check out The Universal Currency Converter.

Customs Regulations
You can bring sporting equipment - such as fishing tackle, cameras, outboard motors, camping equipment, portable boats, hunting rifles, etc. - for your use in Canada during your vacation by simply declaring these items to Customs at your point of entry. Carrying a duplicate list that includes the description and serial number of each item is the quickest way to clear Customs upon your return.

Hospital and Medical Services
All visitors to Canada are strongly urged to obtain health insurance before leaving their home country. Canadian hospital and medical services are excellent, but a hospital stay can cost in excess of $500 a day, and the cost of an extended stay can be prohibitive. Be sure you are covered. If you are taking medicine prescribed by your doctor, it's a good idea to bring along a copy of your prescription in case you need to have it renewed by a doctor in Canada.

HST Rebate
A 15% federal-provincial Harmonized Sales Tax is applied to most goods and services in Newfoundland and Labrador. However, non-Canadian visitors and non-Canadian businesses can apply for a refund of sales taxes paid on certain items. For instance, a visitor can claim a refund on the tax paid on accommodations if you stayed for less than one month at each lodging establishment, and the original receipt shows the number of nights of accommodation for each lodging. Room service and telephone charges are, for example, not eligible for the tax refund; but if breakfast was included in the fixed price of your accommodations, apply for the tax you paid on the total fixed price.To qualify for a refund on short-term accommodations and goods, the purchase amount before taxes must be at least $200; and you must have paid at least $50 in taxes. Generally, goods and services consumed or left in Canada are not eligible for the refund.

To claim a refund, obtain a copy of the brochure Tax Refund for Visitors, which includes an application form. The brochure is available from Visitor Information Centres in Newfoundland and Labrador or from:

Visitor Rebate Program
Revenue Canada
Summerside Tax Centre
Summerside, PE Canada C1N 6C6
Or you can call
Within Canada, Toll Free
Outside Canada, call
Use these same contacts for any questions you may have.

Refund forms may be mailed to the address above, or you may claim a refund of up to $500 at a participating Canadian duty-free shop. (Duty-free shops in airports do not provide refunds.)

Pets and Animals
You can bring your cat, dog or horse to Newfoundland and Labrador without a permit, and they can be moved freely between Newfoundland and Labrador. However, the importation of non-indigenous animals and the movement of Labrador Huskies from Labrador to Newfoundland is restricted. If you have any questions about bringing animals to the province, please contact:

Animal Health Division
Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods
P.O. Box 7400
St. John's, NL A1E 3Y5
Telephone: /6886
Note: There are no skunks or snakes on the island of Newfoundland, and there is no poison ivy or poison oak.

Soil and Plants
Neither soil nor plants bearing soil may be removed from Newfoundland because of the possibility of accidentally spreading soil-borne diseases from certain areas. Vehicles leaving Newfoundland are inspected at the ferry terminals, and soil and plants are subject to confiscation. Special permits for removing plants under strict conditions may be obtained from Agriculture Canada. Please telephone for further information.

Wheelchair Accessibility
Establishments listed as "wheelchair accessible" meet the minimum requirements set out in the provincial Buildings Accessibility Act and Regulations. These establishments have a main entrance, and, where provided, public washrooms that an individual in a wheelchair can access unassisted. Hotels/motels with the accessibility designation have a wheelchair accessible room or suite, but there are no guarantees all the establishment's attractions could be accessed by wheelchair users. Some hotels/motels have only a limited number of wheelchair accessible rooms, so reservation should be made. Also, many establishments not listed as accessible may provide acceptable facilities, depending on individual needs.