Checked bag for CX to AC connection at YVR
 

Will be flying on CX888 HKG-YVR connecting to AC128 YVR-YYZ in a few weeks. I'm aware that there's an interline agreement between CX and AC which means CX is able to tag my bag all the way to YYZ when I check-in at HKG, however after I land and clear immigration at YVR, do I need to collect my bag at YVR baggage hall before dropping it off again prior to boarding my YVR-YYZ flight?

Too bad the direct YYZ flight CX826 no longer operates daily these days.

Generally international-domestic connections require clearing customs at arrival in first destination, unless some special arrangement is in place like Schengen green baggage tag. Is there any special arrangement within Canada?

In the past you did have to to collect and recheck at the first entry point.

But now on an AC int'l (non-US) to AC dom ticket at YVR you don't need to https://www.aircanada.com/uk/en/aco/...rt/int-ca.html

Not sure if the same applies to CX to AC though

My last datapoint in 2019 was a yes (need to claim and re-check with AC).

No airline is allowed to transfer checked baggage from HKG automatically to domestic flights at the moment. You must pick up your bags at the carousels after clearing customs and drop them with AC in the Domestic Terminal(10-15 minute walk from International Arrivals).

YVR does have an International to Domestic(ITD) program for specific itineraries on specific airlines(i.e. AC-AC). If you're eligible for this program, bags do get transferred automatically to your final destination without picking them up at YVR. However, all flights from HKG + Mainland China are, and will probably never be, eligible for this program due to the additional risk of pax/checked baggage from these destinations. More info is on my YVR Connections Guide in the Canada forum if you're interested in the nuances of this program.

Get your bags and head to the far right corner and there are desks there to take your luggage off you. Do not go outside and upstairs as it will take forever. Use the desks I mentioned and go upstairs straight to the lounge.