Eastern Newfoundland has a moderate four-season climate. The cold Labrador Current and the warm waters of the Gulf Stream meet on the Grand Banks in the North Atlantic just off the coast of Newfoundland.

A duty-free shop is located at the St. John’s International Airport to sell tax-free items to departing international visitors. Please check with custom officials for questions regarding restrictions, licenses or controls.

Visitors to Canada should obtain travelers’ health insurance before leaving home. Most health insurance coverage does not extend outside the country of residence. Visitors may find they have either no health insurance or inadequate coverage in Canada. Daily rates for hospital care can vary from hospital to hospital and from province to province, but a hospital stay can cost in excess of $750 per day. Visitors requiring prescription medication should bring a copy of the prescription for renewal in Canada.

The use of seat belts is mandatory in Newfoundland & Labrador for drivers and all passengers. A child weighing less than 9 kg must be secured in either an infant carrier or a convertible car seat adjusted to the rear-facing position. Radar detectors are illegal. It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol limit exceeding .05 milligrams of alcohol per litre of blood. The use of hand held cell phones by the driver of a vehicle, when driving, is prohibited.

Canada uses the metric system for weights, measure and distance.

How to Convert Between Metric and Imperial

Approximately 125,000 moose inhabit the island of Newfoundland. Moose are dangerous to motorists. If you see one on or near the highway, slow down immediately and prepare to stop. Like all wild animals, moose are unpredictable. Avoid driving at night if possible, but if you must drive, slow down. Pay attention to warning signs. A road sign that says “Caution, Moose Next 11 Kilometers” means moose cross there frequently.

Visitors may bring cats, dogs and horses to Newfoundland without a permit and they can be moved freely around the province. 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:

Neither soil nor plants bearing soil may be removed from Newfoundland due to the possibility of accidentally spreading soil-borne diseases. Vehicles leaving Newfoundland are inspected at the ferry terminal and soil and plants are subject to confiscation. Special permits for removing plants under strict conditions may be obtained from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Telephone 709.227.2307 (Argentia) or 709.695.2135 (Port aux Basque) for further information.

A 13 per cent Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is applied to most goods and services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In the City of St. John’s only, there is a three per cent Tourism Marketing Levy Tax (TML) applied to all fixed roof accommodations. The tax is displayed on your room bill and is applied to the cost of the room only, not the room plus sales tax.

Establishments listed as “wheelchair accessible” meet the minimum requirements set out in the provincial Building 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 designations have a wheelchair accessible room or suite, but there are no guarantees wheelchair users could access all the establishment’s attractions.

People visiting from other countries require a valid passport and possibly other documentation. Since obtaining travel documents outside Canada can take time, it is important to check with the nearest Canadian Consulate, Canadian Embassy or High Commission well in advance of a trip to Canada.

Customs officials are on the lookout for missing children. Parents or guardians traveling with children require a proof of citizenship. If a child is traveling with one parent or guardian, a letter of consent from the absent parent(s) must accompany the child.

Friends or relatives living in Canada may receive gifts, duty and tax free from visitors or by mail, if the value of each gift does not exceed $60 (Canadian funds). Tobacco products, alcoholic beverages or advertising material can not be sent as gifts.

Persons 19 years of ago or over may bring into Newfoundland and Labrador duty-free 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes and 400 grams of manufactured tobacco. Federal duties and taxes apply to additional quantities.

Visitors can bring non-restricted sporting goods and personal baggage into Canada, duty and tax-free, by declaring them on arrival to customs officials. Register the serial numbers of equipment such as cameras, bicycles, etc. with Canada Customs.

Canada has strict laws regarding the possession and use of firearms. Before bringing guns to Canada for hunting purposes or competitions, please contact the Canadian Firearms Centre at 800-731-4000 (Canada and the US) or 506-624-5380 for other countries, to obtain the most up-to-date information on current legislation. Canadian law prohibits all handguns and fully automatic weapons from entry into Canada.