Free-flow Transit for International Passengers

Summary#

These are final rules called Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Customs Act (Transit Between International Flights) — SOR/2026-148 that change how international transfer passengers are treated in Canadian airports. They let certain transiting travellers move through airports without stopping for a Canada Border Services Agency check, as long as they stay in a specified transit area. The regulations were registered and came into force on June 22, 2026 and published in the Canada Gazette on July 1, 2026.

What it does#

• Defines and aligns terms so airports and border officials use the same language:
  • Updates the meaning of designated holding area and adds the concept of a sterile transit area across related rules.
  • Brings matching definitions into the Presentation of Persons (2003) Regulations, Reporting of Imported Goods Regulations, and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
• Enables a "free-flow" transit process for international-to-international (ITI) travellers:
  • Travellers who stay inside a designated holding area or sterile transit area can continue to their connecting flight without an in-person CBSA examination or using an ITI kiosk.
  • If a traveller leaves those areas (except to move between them), they must present themselves to the CBSA.
• Changes what airlines must send to the government:
  • Amends the Passenger Information (Customs) Regulations and Exit Information Regulations so carriers must include each person’s transit status and the traveller’s first destination outside Canada (and the arrival date/time for exit records).
• Clarifies when baggage or goods do not need immediate reporting under the Reporting of Imported Goods Regulations (for travellers who remain on-board or transfer under customs control to the correct areas).

Who's affected#

• Travellers who are connecting through Canada to another country (international transiting travellers).
• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) — will change how it inspects and tracks transiting passengers and needs IT updates.
• Airport authorities at ITI-enabled airports (for example, Vancouver International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport) — will manage transit areas and repurpose or remove ITI kiosks.
• Commercial air carriers (for example, Air Canada, WestJet) — must provide the extra advance and exit passenger data; most carriers already supply this data, so expected changes are small.
• The amendments are not expected to affect small businesses directly.

Also notable figures from the government analysis:

• The CBSA processed about 737,000 ITI passengers in 2024–2025 (about 2,000 per day on average; up to 5,000 per day at peak).
• Estimated extra costs to stakeholders are less than $1 million per year, mainly for government IT work.

Why it matters#

• Faster, simpler connections: Eligible travellers can change planes without stopping for an officer or kiosk, which shortens connection times and reduces queues.
• Airport competitiveness: Easier transit can make Canadian hubs more attractive to airlines and passengers, potentially bringing more flights and connections.
• Operational changes at airports: ITI kiosks can be removed or repurposed, and airports must manage clearly separated transit areas and signage.
• Security and tracking: The CBSA will use the extra passenger data (transit status and outbound point) to confirm travellers actually leave Canada and to target risks — the rules keep checks in place for anyone who leaves the transit area.
• Practical impact on passengers: If you’re transiting through Canada and stay inside the designated area, you likely won’t need to see a border officer in person; if you leave that area or miss your connection, normal entry procedures apply.