Expiry dates on child car seats and booster seats

Although not required by regulation, most, if not all, child car seats and booster seats sold in Canada have an expiry date or useful life date on them.  To verify the date of manufacture and expiration date for your specific child car or booster seat, look for a label affixed to the seat and/or in the instruction manual.  For more information on expiry dates, please contact the manufacturer of your specific child car seat or booster seat.

Transport Canada recommends that parents and caregivers follow the manufacturer's instructions and warnings for each specific child car seat or booster seat model.

If you are considering buying a second-hand car seat, please also visit Health Canada's Second-hand car seat safety page for a few safety precautions to keep in mind.

Note: If a seat was made before January 1, 2012, it may be illegal to advertise, sell, or give it away because it may not meet the latest safety standards. For information on the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act, please contact Health Canada:

Public Enquiries

Health Canada, Ottawa
Telephone: 613-957-2991
Telephone Canada and U.S. only: 1-866-662-0666

Provincial and territorial laws also require that the child car seats and booster seats meet Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. A child car seat that bears Transport Canada's National Safety Mark signifies that the seat has been certified to these safety standards.

Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards logo

Contact Transport Canada's Motor Vehicle Safety

Telephone: 1-800-333-0371 (toll-free), 613-998-8616 (Ottawa region or international)
Email: mvs-sa@tc.gc.ca