Toronto airport: security and customs
 

Hi there, for a flight leaving Toronto for the US on an early Friday evening, how much time should I budget to go through security and customs?

Give yourself 3 hours, which is customary for international flights.

Pearson Airport advises arriving 2 hours before a flight to the US departing after 10AM.

https://www.torontopearson.com/Departing_to_usa.aspx#

There is no Canadian Customs for flights originating in Canada. However, US does pre-clearance in Toronto, mainly for immigration and security procedures. Don't know if their Customs will be involved.

Yes, customs is involved. You can’t take anything past security that you wouldn’t be able to take into the US, e.g. fresh fruit. However when you land in the US it is treated as a domestic flight; pick up your bags and off you go.