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Canadian Information:Here are just a few of the top tips for out out-of-country visitors!
Exchange Rates:The current US/Cdn exchange rate is $0.67 US for each $1.00 Canadian. So if you are coming from a U.S. location, you can mentally subtract 1/3 from the price of anything you see in Canada. We can't guarantee that this exchange rate will be in effect for Costume-Con 19, but the rate has remained at this level for the past two years.
Taxes:Alberta is the only province in Canada that does not have a provincial sales tax; however, a federal sales tax (GST) of 7% will be applied to all goods and services purchases. The good news is that visitors to Canada can apply to receive a full refund of any GST paid on personal goods (other than alcohol or tobacco) that they bring out of the country, and on their hotel rooms. There is a 5% provincial sales tax which is not refundable.
Metric Conversions:Canada
uses the metric system of measurement. One meter of fabric is roughly 1 yard plus 3
inches. If you buy 11 meters of fabric, you will have 12 yards. Width is listed
in centimeters. There are about 2½ cm in an inch. If the temperature outside is
listed as 10 degrees C, it will be 50 degrees F. 20 C will be 68 F and 30 C will
be 86 F. (If you like doing the math, the formula is: multiply the Celsius
temperature by 9, divide by 5 and add 32.) If you are driving, speed limits are posted in kilometers. 50 KPH is roughly equivalent to 30 MPH, 80 KPH to 50 MPH, and 100 KPH to 60 MPH. On a map, 10 km will be roughly the same distance as 6 miles. Gasoline
is sold by the liter. There are just under 4 liters in one U.S. gallon.
What can I bring into Canada?
You can bring any goods for personal use, with a few obvious exceptions.
You cannot bring: weapons, including firearms; recreational drugs; endangered
species or products made from endangered species. Any live plants or animals
will likely face quarantine for a period long enough to make it not worth it to
bring them to Costume-Con 19.
The minimum age for bringing alcohol or tobacco into Canada depends on
the province through which you enter the country. If you are entering Canada
through Alberta, each member of your party who is 18 or older can bring in 1.5L
of wine or 1.14L of liquor or 24
335ml (12 oz.) bottles or cans of beer or ale.
You may also bring gifts other than alcohol or tobacco for Canadian
residents without paying duty, as long as the gifts have a value of less than
$60 Canadian per gift.
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