Canada Border Crossing 2023 (Updated Aug 2025)

sranderle · August 2023

We have an upcoming trip in October to circle Lake Superior clockwise departing from Minneapolis, MN.

We haven't taken a camping trip to Canada since 2005. I imagine that crossings are slightly different now. We do have US Passport Cards in hand.

What advice can you pass along for the cross into Canada, and the subsequent cross back into the United States?

Food, knives/axes, beverages?

Thanks for your help!!

gooselady · August 2023

I cross into Canada frequently. They will ask if you carry guns, drugs, and alcohol. I declare alcohol for personal use. If traveling with pets, you need a current rabies certificate. As for yourself, you will need an enhanced driver's license or passport. I find it sometimes more difficult to pass back into the US. The US will do random vehicle checks and have longer lines into the border crossing.

sranderle · August 2023

Thanks for the tips.

Does either side restrict any types of food? Should we cross into Canada empty and stock up there? Same for return to US?

PNWtabber · August 2023

@sranderle -- sounds like a great trip!
I haven't taken my T@B to Canada yet, but prior to the covid shutdown, I traveled from the US to Canada and back about a dozen times each year, mostly for work.

In my experience, crossing back into the US is usually more stringent than going into Canada. Ultimately, it depends on the border guard you happen to get; they have a lot of leeway.

Meat products are a concern coming back into the US. If you have pet food with you, it needs to be in the original container (I had dog kibble confiscated once when I was returning home).

I am on the West Coast and produce can be an issue, specifically apples and related fruit. Not sure if that is an issue in your area.

Best advice is that you familiarize yourself with the current restrictions and observe them.

USA into CANADA: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/rpg-mrp-eng.html
CANADA into USA: https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1273?language=en_US#:~:text=Some%20foods%20are%20generally%20admissible,are%20enterable%20from%20all%20countries.

My advice when crossing the border is to always give the briefest, honest answer to any questions.

PhilW · August 2023

I crossed the boarder at Port Huron, MI to Sarnia, Ont. this year. They do not take cash, so have a credit card handy. I used my passport. No guns. There are some restrictions for certain items like fruits and alcohol related to length of stay. I would suggest that you visit the website for the crossing that you intend to take.

It was easy, but there can be some wait times. Mine was about 45 minutes - low traffic, but there was an issue with another person ahead of me that required a few police officers and that slowed everything down.

PNWtabber · August 2023

PhilW said:

I crossed the boarder at Port Huron, MI to Sarnia, Ont. this year. They do not take cash, so have a credit card handy. I used my passport. No guns. There are some restrictions for certain items like fruits and alcohol related to length of stay. I would suggest that you visit the website for the crossing that you intend to take.
It was easy, but there can be some wait times. Mine was about 45 minutes - low traffic, but there was an issue with another person ahead of me that required a few police officers and that slowed everything down.

Why did you need to pay to cross the border? I have never encountered that.

PhilW · August 2023

The fee was the bridge toll

PNWtabber · August 2023

PhilW said:

The fee was the bridge toll

Aha! Have not encountered that in my border crossings.

Mobean · August 2023

Having a Nexus card makes crossing quicker (but everyone in the vehicle must have one) plus Nexus doubles as your global entry. Unfortunately, it can take 12 months to get your card so it won't help you sranderle.

jebjam · August 2023

In general no fruits or vegetables and certain meat products (beef for sure, but check the website for others). Packaged and processed foods are ok there's no need to arrive empty or buy all your groceries up north. In addition to no guns (at least without specific permits, if you're even thinking of that check into those rules very carefully), Canada does not allow pepper spray. Alcohol and cigarettes for personal consumption have quantity limits, typically a case of beer (24) or two bottles of wine or 1 bottle of liquor per person over age 19, I believe. Declare if you are traveling with currency over $10K Canadian. Its allowed, but they can seize your cash, checks, money orders whatever if you don't declare it. https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-eng.html

bfeeny · August 2023

You will need a passport to enter Canada. An enhanced drivers license is not enough to get you across the border.

bfeeny · August 2023

My apologies. You can enter Canada with enhanced drivers licenses from certain states, Washington, S Dakota, Michigan and NY. You will have less hassle with a passport.

ColleenD2 · August 29

I am so glad to see this post. We are traveling to Canada and have passports but someone said you need to have your vehicle registration or title. Seriously? We've gone in a car but we've never taken our camper.

tabiphile · August 29

This thread has quite a bit of misinformation in it.
You may use an enhanced license to cross. You may cross with firearms if accompanied by the correct paperwork. You may cross with pets. Going in to Canada you must have proof of current rabies vaccination. We also carry proof of ownership (our choice).
You do not need to present a title for your vehicle or the registration under normal circumstances.
Currently, border crossings are very much the same as they have been for many years. Be aware of and follow the rules for import of foods, alcohol, drugs etc. If you have alcohol for personal use and do not exceed the limits, there is never a problem. Honesty is your best friend.
There have been changes to the law for bringing your pet into the US. The CDC (yes us, not Canada) imposed new requirements last August that require you to complete and have a printed copy of an online form for your pet. The pet must also be microchipped. Interestingly, the customs agents do not have a way to check to make sure the pet is chipped. We carry the chip ID card just to be sure. If you cross regularly at one place you will find that the agents have next to no interest in the CDC form. You will present it the first time you reenter and probably have it handed back to you each time you offer it after that. As with many things at the border, how things are handled are often very situational and vary depending upon the agent and your behavior. Consistently you will be asked to confirm your residence, purpose of visit and food, drugs, alcohol and weapons in your possession.

AnOldUR · August 29

This summer we crossed into Canada from Montana and back to the US in Michigan. We travel with a dog and were worried about that and everything else mentioned above. Both crossings turned out to be very uneventful. Never asked for pet paperwork or physically checked anything. I'm suspecting that being old, gray haired seniors made us invisible.

Bill&Suze · August 29

Unlike @AnOldUR's experience, ours was not so easy. In late June we traveled to the Gaspé peninsula. The crossing into New Brunswick was uneventful, the agent was warm and polite, just the standard questions about alcohol and guns, and no requirement to show proof of rabies and no vehicle or camper inspections. The entire trip through NB and Québec was great, Canadians were polite and pleasant everywhere we went.

We crossed back into Maine at the same border crossing we used earlier only to experience a very different process. There were quite a few US agents coming and going, the agent at the entrance booth was cold and after several questions, she directed us to pull through and park to the side where another agent would meet us. From there we were directed to go inside to fill out paperwork while our vehicle and camper were inspected. Cellphones and smart watches were taken but not inspected. Paperwork mainly involved listing all fruit and produce we had. We were sidelined for over an hour. The inspecting agent who went through the camper returned holding a tomato, the one thing I had forgotten to add to the list of produce. He somberly said that this time he wouldn't fine us the usual $300 for not declaring the tomato.

This crossing was unlike the last we did several years ago when we returned from a wedding in Montreal. US agents were much easier-going and didn't bristle with suspicion. Obviously border agents are now dancing to a different tune, at least here in the northeast.

Binghi · August 29

Based on our two US/Canada trips, it’s much tougher returning to the US than it is entering Canada. Go figure.

BillCB · August 30

As a Canadian who used to travel (professionally) to the US about 15 times a year with no hassle at all, I despair. The process of entering the US now is so fraught, many of us are simply going elsewhere or staying within our own country.
A real shame. We are neighbours and have gotten along as such for over 200 years.

qhumberd · August 30

@BillCB your input is much appreciated, but to conform to NuCamp forum rules I have edited your comment to remove political reference.

Blueespy · August 31

Bill&Suze said:

Unlike @AnOldUR's experience, ours was not so easy. In late June we traveled to the Gaspé peninsula. The crossing into New Brunswick was uneventful, the agent was warm and polite, just the standard questions about alcohol and guns, and no requirement to show proof of rabies and no vehicle or camper inspections. The entire trip through NB and Québec was great, Canadians were polite and pleasant everywhere we went.

We crossed back into Maine at the same border crossing we used earlier only to experience a very different process. There were quite a few US agents coming and going, the agent at the entrance booth was cold and after several questions, she directed us to pull through and park to the side where another agent would meet us. From there we were directed to go inside to fill out paperwork while our vehicle and camper were inspected. Cellphones and smart watches were taken but not inspected. Paperwork mainly involved listing all fruit and produce we had. We were sidelined for over an hour. The inspecting agent who went through the camper returned holding a tomato, the one thing I had forgotten to add to the list of produce. He somberly said that this time he wouldn't fine us the usual $300 for not declaring the tomato.

This crossing was unlike the last we did several years ago when we returned from a wedding in Montreal. US agents were much easier-going and didn't bristle with suspicion. Obviously border agents are now dancing to a different tune, at least here in the northeast.

Visited Alaska last year (four month trip from Florida) which was our second trip. Leaving the US and entering Canada was very easy. We had US Passports, were adhering to the food restrictions, and had rabies paperwork for our Aussie. Canadian Customs Officer was professional. Part of our journey had us enter and leave Canada into the US and back mutiple times and not once did we have an issue with either US or Canadian Custom Officers.

Bill&Suze · September 1

@Blueespy, things have changed since a year ago apparently.

CatDaddy · October 30

tabiphile said:

This thread has quite a bit of misinformation in it.
You may use an enhanced license to cross. You may cross with firearms if accompanied by the correct paperwork. You may cross with pets. Going in to Canada you must have proof of current rabies vaccination. We also carry proof of ownership (our choice).
You do not need to present a title for your vehicle or the registration under normal circumstances.
Currently, border crossings are very much the same as they have been for many years. Be aware of and follow the rules for import of foods, alcohol, drugs etc. If you have alcohol for personal use and do not exceed the limits, there is never a problem. Honesty is your best friend.
There have been changes to the law for bringing your pet into the US. The CDC (yes us, not Canada) imposed new requirements last August that require you to complete and have a printed copy of an online form for your pet. The pet must also be microchipped. Interestingly, the customs agents do not have a way to check to make sure the pet is chipped. We carry the chip ID card just to be sure. If you cross regularly at one place you will find that the agents have next to no interest in the CDC form. You will present it the first time you reenter and probably have it handed back to you each time you offer it after that. As with many things at the border, how things are handled are often very situational and vary depending upon the agent and your behavior. Consistently you will be asked to confirm your residence, purpose of visit and food, drugs, alcohol and weapons in your possession.

This is very helpful! Thanks!
i have been to Canada with my two adventure cats several times both by land and ferry. I carry their rabies vaccination certificate with me but I’ve never been asked for it by either US or Canadian customs.

My cats are microchipped but I have no idea what a microchip ID card is. I wasn’t given one when they were chipped. Where might I get one?

We crossed back into the US on July 26th. Sounds like I barely made it. I had no idea the rules changed. Thanks!

CatDaddy · October 30

There have been changes to the law for bringing your pet into the US. The CDC (yes us, not Canada) imposed new requirements last August that require you to complete and have a printed copy of an online form for your pet. The pet must also be microchipped. Interestingly, the customs agents do not have a way to check to make sure the pet is chipped. We carry the chip ID card just to be sure.

From what I found, it looks like the new CDC requirements are for dogs, specifically, not all pets. That explains why my cats never get any scrutiny.

How does one prove ownership of a pet? I don’t know what a chip ID card is either.

Sharon_is_SAM · October 30

We just had our kittens micro chipped. A chip ID card is simply a card with the pet’s name and the microchip number that is used for tracing their owner.

CatDaddy · November 9

Sharon_is_SAM said:

We just had our kittens micro chipped. A chip ID card is simply a card with the pet’s name and the microchip number that is used for tracing their owner.

I didn't get anything like what you describe when my two cats were microchipped. I just got a label peeled off of the packaging the microchips came in. No names whatsoever.

CatDaddy · November 9

I went through the Sumas border crossing into Canada with my two cats on Thursday. I wasn’t asked anything about them.

We came back into the US through the Lyndon port and was not questioned about the cats.

Neither port was busy. 2 cars ahead of me at Sumas; none at Lyndon.

I asked about this rumor that an “enhanced license” could be used instead of a passport at the Canadian border and got laughs both times. One definitely needs a passport when crossing to or from Canada.

tabiphile · November 9

CatDaddy said:

I asked about this rumor that an “enhanced license” could be used instead of a passport at the Canadian border and got laughs both times. One definitely needs a passport when crossing to or from Canada.

This is incorrect. A passport is not required to come and go by car from Canada if you hold an EDL. Been there, done that. EDL is not a "rumor".

Horigan · November 9

Yep, Per the Canada Border Services Agency, Enhanced Drivers licenses are accepted. Given the response from @CatDaddy, I'd probably bring a backup. We love our Nexus cards for fast border crossings in both directions.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/td-dv-eng.html

CatDaddy · November 9

tabiphile said:

CatDaddy said:

I asked about this rumor that an “enhanced license” could be used instead of a passport at the Canadian border and got laughs both times. One definitely needs a passport when crossing to or from Canada.

This is incorrect. A passport is not required to come and go by car from Canada if you hold an EDL. Been there, done that. EDL is not a "rumor".

I asked both CBP and Homeland Security agents about EDL and got the same answer from both: EDLs are not acceptable for crossing the border. How do you explain that? The US border agent literally used the word “rumor” when I asked him.

CatDaddy · November 9

I’m curious, @tabiphile do you use your EDL in the NEXUS lane at the border or the regular lane? It’s a moot point for me because Oregon doesn’t issue EDLs. Oregon was late to offering Real IDs so EDLs might never happen.

I use my Global Entry card when returning to the US but Canada doesn’t accept it. I’ve been thinking about getting a NEXUS card.

tabiphile · November 9

CatDaddy said:

I’m curious, @tabiphile do you use your EDL in the NEXUS lane at the border or the regular lane?
I use my Global Entry card when returning to the US but Canada doesn’t accept it. I’ve been thinking about getting a NEXUS card.

I have never used a NEXUS lane. I do carry my passport with me to Canada, even though it is not required when I carry the EDL. I no longer offer it. I offer the EDL. I have never been delayed or denied.

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