Restricted and Prohibited items

We will not transport items that are poorly packaged or too fragile to withstand normal handling. Nor will we accept items weighing more than 32 kg (70 lb.) or measuring more than 180 cm (6 ft.), except skis and oversized outdoor equipment.

The following items are not accepted as checked baggage on board VIA Rail trains.

• Cameras and photography equipment (you are free to bring your camera on board with you, but VIA will not be held liable for any damage it may sustain).
• Dangerous goods (fireworks, flammable items, radioactive materials, etc.).
• Perishable goods transported in polystyrene or any other type of non-hermetic container.
• Fragile items (antiques, artwork, etc.).
• Household goods (small appliances, porcelain, clocks, furniture, sewing machines, silverware, etc.).
• Tow bars, trailer hitches, etc.
• Fishing rods without cases.
• Liquids (including toiletry items such as perfume, which must always be kept in your carry-on baggage).
• Construction materials. These are not considered personal or oversized baggage (see the non-standard items section for more information), and VIA reserves the right to refuse them at any time. Please contact freight companies serving your area.
• Office equipment (photocopiers, etc.).
• Electronics (televisions, computers, video games, etc.).
• Valuables (credit cards, stamp or coin collections, precious stones or minerals, irreplaceable papers or manuscripts, jewellery, money, watches, etc.).
• Plants.
• Controlled or illegal substances.
• Motorized vehicles such as snowmobiles, ATVs and personal watercraft (ATVs, motor boats and snowmobiles are accepted on trains 185 and 186 only).
• Compressed oxygen cylinders (except for medical use, see the medical articles section) .
• Hoverboards, electric skateboards, Airwheels, mini Segways and devices equipped with a stabilizing system are not permitted.
• Perishable goods are not permitted, and we will not be held liable for checked money or negotiable instruments (cheques, bank drafts, money orders, etc.).
• Funeral urns: since VIA cannot take such responsibility, this item is refused as checked baggage. If a customer wishes to bring an urn, they should bring it on board the train with their hand luggage.
• Lobster cooked in a carry-on cardboard box packed from the fish market. We can, however, accept cooked lobster as a checked item if it is hermetically sealed on ice in a hard sided cooler. Hermetically sealed means taped in an airtight container to ensure no leakage.

Items transported at the owner’s risk

The following items are transported at your risk. You will be required to sign a waiver releasing VIA Rail from all liability. We suggest checking your personal insurance coverage with your insurer.

• Items intended for another person
• Items intended for sale
• Baby items
• Perishable goods
• Boxes of clothing
• Books, CDs, cassettes or videotapes
• Trunks
• Tools and toolboxes
• Sailboards and masts
• Luggage racks
• Tennis racquets
• Tires We will transport tires placed in bags, but not tires on rims or rims alone.
• Bicycles*

*Protecting your bicycle

Bicycles require special protection. We recommend storing your bicycle in a special protective box available at major train stations. Handlebars must be turned around and pedals removed. Be sure to bring whatever tools you’ll need, as they are not provided.

If you are unable to remove the pedals, we can provide a protective bag to wrap them with. However, if your bike is not placed in a box, VIA Rail assumes no liability for damages.

Items prohibited as hand baggage on Corridor trains (Québec-Windsor)

Bicycles

Corrosive or dangerous chemicals or materials

Acids, alkalis, rust preventing or removing compounds, raveled dioxide solution are not accepted.

Bleach, tear gas, radioactive and harmful bacteriological materials.

Explosives and flammable items

Flammable liquids or solids are not accepted as carry-on or checked baggage. They include: gasoline, petroleum essences, oil paints, hairspray, dyes, shellac, oils, methyl alcohol, lighter fluid and heating oil, matches, charcoal briquettes and any other flammable item.

Firearms and ammunition

Hunting rifles, rifles, bb guns, paintball marker guns, biathlon rifles.

Taser gun, compressed air guns.

Martial arts and self-defence items

Billy Clubs, nightsticks, nunchakus, baton, weapons replica, machete.

Sharp objects

Such as knives, including hunting knives, Swiss Army knives and chef’s knives (e.g. meat cleavers), machetes, axes, utility knives and other dangerous sharp objects.

Office equipment

Such as: photocopiers, computers, computer monitors with cathode ray tubes.

Oxygen equipment, cylinders and extinguishers for butane, propane, carbon dioxide or nitrogen (under pressure) are not accepted.

Only oxygen equipment for medical reasons is allowed on board, with restrictions (see the medical articles section).

Bicycles/Tandem.

Weapons

Bows, crossed bows and arrows.

Exceptions

On-duty police officers and other authorized armed personnel provided they have given prior notification to VIA Rail Police.

Firearms, Weapons and Sharp Objects as checked baggages

If you have firearm(s) or ammunitions to bring as checked baggage, please complete the form:
Firearm(s) Declaration Form (PDF 225kb) (accessible version)
This form can be printed and filled ahead of time, but it must be signed in front of a VIA employee.

Ammunition

• Maximum of 5 kg (11 lb) per passenger
• Ammunition must be packed in a secure solid container made of plastic, wood or metal and must be packed separate from the firearm

Archery weapons including Bows, cross bows and arrows

• The crossbow rope should never be engaged in the mechanism
• A secure locking device must be attached to the crossbow (rendering it inoperative).
• Must be securely stored in a solid opaque container

Non-restricted firearms including ordinary rifles, shotguns or combination guns

• You will be required to complete and sign a declaration form upon checking in your firearm ad we will asked to present valid Identification. Consult this link for details on valid identification Online train ticket purchase and booking | VIA Rail

• Firearms must be unloaded and trigger mechanism disabled
• A locking device must be attached to the firearm (rendering it inoperative)
• Firearms must be securely stored and locked in a specially designed, opaque case
• You may check a maximum of 2 firearms (maximum per passenger) free of charge.

Restricted and Prohibited Firearms

Restricted and prohibited firearms, as well as prohibited ammunition are not accepted for transport by VIA Rail. Examples include: all types of handguns, semi-automatic and automatic rifles (commonly known as assault rifles), altered shotguns and replica firearms.

Other firearms: sporting guns, air guns, BB guns, pellet air guns, air rifles, starter pistols

• A locking device must secure the item (rendering it inoperative)
• Must be securely stored and locked in a specially designed, opaque case
• The case should be stored within an item of checked baggage if size permits (bag, suitcase, container, etc.)

Martial arts and self-defence items: OC spray (pepper spray), batons, billy clubs, nightsticks, nunchuks

• The items should be safely packed as to prevent injuries (well wrapped or stored in specialized case)
• Once packed, they should be placed within an article of checked baggage (bag, suitcase, container, etc.)
• The items must not be visible once packed; the bag or container must be opaque

Sharp objects: Knives, hunting knives, sabres, axes, machetes, swords, box cutters, meat cleavers

• The items should be safely packed as to prevent injuries (well wrapped or stored in specialized case)
• Once packed, they should be placed within an article of checked baggage (bag, suitcase, container, etc.)
• The items must not be visible once packed; the bag or container must be opaque

For more details, please refer to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) rules prior to your trip to meet Canadian regulations for storing and transporting your firearm.