Yes, you can get a GST/HST refund as a tourist, but only on goods you take out of the country
If you are a non-resident visiting Canada, you can recover the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) you paid on physical items you bought and are taking home with you. You cannot recover tax on services, meals, or anything you consume in Canada. The refund applies only to goods purchased within 30 days before you leave the country, and you must leave Canada within 60 days of the purchase date.
The refund is handled through the Visitor Rebate Program, run by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). You do not file a tax return to get this money back — instead, you submit your receipts and goods to a refund service at the airport or border before you leave, or you mail the claim after you leave Canada.
Key Takeaways
- You must have paid GST or HST on goods (not services or food) and be taking those goods out of Canada to be refunded.
- Purchases must be made within 30 days before departure, and you must leave Canada within 60 days of the purchase date.
- The easiest method is to use a refund service at major airports or border crossings before you leave, where staff verify your receipts and goods on the spot.
- If you miss the airport window, you can mail your claim to the CRA within two years of the purchase date, but mailed claims take several months to process.
- Each receipt must show at least $200 in GST/HST before tax, and the total of all refundable tax must be at least $14 to submit a claim.
Which purchases may have access to for a refund
Only goods may have access to — not services, meals, alcohol, or anything you use or consume while in Canada. Clothing, electronics, souvenirs, and luggage all count. Gasoline does not, because you consume it in Canada. Hotel stays do not, because they are a service. Restaurant meals do not, even if you take leftovers home.
The goods must be in new, unused condition when you leave. If you wear a jacket or use a camera in Canada before departure, it no longer qualifies. You must also be taking the goods with you — they cannot be shipped to Canada later or left behind.
Each individual receipt must show at least $200 in GST/HST before tax is added. If a shirt costs $150 plus tax, that receipt does not may have access to on its own. However, you can combine multiple receipts from the same store on the same day to reach the $200 threshold. The total refundable tax across all your receipts must be at least $14 for the claim to be worth submitting.
How to claim at the airport or border
The fastest and most reliable way is to use a duty-free refund service at a major airport or land border crossing before you leave Canada. Staff there will check your receipts, inspect the goods, and process your refund on the spot. You walk away with cash, a credit card deposit, or a cheque the same day.
Bring your original receipts, your passport, and the goods themselves (still in their original packaging if possible). The refund service will verify that the items match the receipts and that you are leaving Canada. They will then calculate the GST/HST owed and issue the refund. Some services charge a small processing fee — usually 10 to 15 percent of the refund amount — so ask before you hand over your receipts.
Refund services operate at major airports including Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary. They are also at busy land borders like Niagara Falls and the BC-Washington crossing. Check the CRA website or call ahead to confirm hours, because some services close early or do not operate on weekends.
Mailing your claim after you leave Canada
If you miss the refund service at the airport, you can mail your claim to the CRA after you return home. You have up to two years from the purchase date to submit. However, mailed claims take three to six months to process, and you will receive payment by cheque or direct deposit only — not cash.
To mail a claim, gather your original receipts and a completed Form GST176 (available on the CRA website). Include a copy of the first and last pages of your passport showing your name and the dates you were in Canada. Mail the package to the CRA address listed on the form.
The CRA will verify your receipts and your non-resident status by checking your passport. If everything matches, they will mail a cheque to your home address or deposit the refund directly to a bank account you provide. If a receipt is unclear or missing information, the CRA will contact you by mail — which adds weeks to the process.
Minimum thresholds and what disqualifies a claim
Each receipt must show at least $200 in pre-tax price. A single item for $250 plus tax qualifies. Two items for $120 each on the same receipt do not, because the receipt total is $240 before tax — still below $200. However, you can group receipts from the same store on the same day to meet the threshold.
The total GST/HST you are claiming across all receipts must be at least $14. If your refund adds up to $12, it is not worth submitting. Most people easily exceed this once they have a few may have access to receipts.
Common reasons claims are rejected: the receipt does not show the GST/HST amount separately, the goods were consumed or used in Canada, the purchase was made more than 30 days before you left, or you left Canada more than 60 days after buying the items. Keep receipts clear and legible — faded or damaged receipts are often rejected.
Differences between provinces and tax rates
GST is 5 percent federally and applies across Canada. However, most provinces add a Provincial Sales Tax (PST) or participate in the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), which combines federal and provincial tax into one rate. The refund covers only the GST portion (5 percent) in provinces with PST, and the full HST rate in provinces that use it.
| Province or Territory | Tax Rate | Refundable Portion |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | 5% GST only | 5% |
| British Columbia | 5% GST + 7% PST | 5% GST only |
| Ontario, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland | 15% HST | 15% |
| Quebec | 5% GST + 9.975% QST | 5% GST only |
| Manitoba, Saskatchewan | 5% GST + 5% PST | 5% GST only |
This means a $200 purchase in Ontario (15% HST) nets you a $30 refund, while the same purchase in British Columbia (5% GST + 7% PST) nets you only $10. Shop in HST provinces if you want the largest refund.
What to do if your claim is delayed or rejected
If you submitted your claim by mail and have not heard back after six months, contact the CRA by phone or through their online portal. Provide your claim reference number (on the receipt you get when you submit) and ask for a status update. Processing times vary, but the CRA will tell you whether your claim is still in queue or if there is a problem.
If your claim is rejected, the CRA will send a letter explaining why. Common reasons include a missing receipt, a receipt that does not clearly show the GST/HST amount, or proof that you did not leave Canada within the required timeframe. If you believe the rejection is wrong, you can request a review by writing to the CRA with additional documentation — for example, a boarding pass showing your departure date if the CRA questions when you left.
If you used a refund service at the airport and they rejected your claim on the spot, ask them to explain which receipt or item did not meet the rules. You can then decide whether to pursue a mailed claim with the CRA instead, though the outcome is likely to be the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a resident of another country to get the refund?
Yes. You must be a non-resident of Canada — meaning you do not live here and are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The CRA verifies this by checking your passport. If you are a Canadian resident visiting another province, you do not may have access to.
Can I claim the refund on things I bought for someone else?
No. The goods must be for your own use or as a gift you are taking with you. You cannot buy items on behalf of someone staying in Canada and claim the refund. The refund service will ask you to confirm the goods are for your personal use.
What if I bought something but did not take it with me when I left?
You cannot claim the refund. The goods must be in your possession and leaving Canada with you. If you shipped something home or left it behind, it does not may have access to, even if you paid tax on it.
Can I get a refund on alcohol or tobacco?
No. Alcohol and tobacco are specifically excluded from the Visitor Rebate Program, even though they are taxed. You will not recover any tax on these items.
How long does it take to get the money if I use the airport refund service?
Same day. The refund service processes your claim on the spot and gives you cash, a cheque, or a credit card deposit before you board your flight. Some services charge a processing fee of 10 to 15 percent.