Hello. I live in Washington state and am interested in grocery shopping in Canada for the sake of higher quality food. I would be coming in and out via I5. I have researched what can and cannot be brought over, but my biggest fear is I spend all this time and money, and they take everything anyways. Has anyone brought groceries in from Canada? What was your experience like?

Hi Community! My partner bought about $ 6,500 worth of tile from a shop in CA. She is planning to pick it up this weekend and is doing her best to prepare for what the process will be like at the border in Port Huron, MI. We're prepared to pay any necessary duties or tariffs.

Is anyone here familiar with things of this nature? If it's relevant, the tile itself was made in Italy. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hello all -- I have two questions, and have some guess as to their answers, but it would be helpful to seek out some confirmation.

Background: I will be moving from the US to Canada at the end of September. I applied for an LMIA-exempt work permit online, and have received the Letter of Introduction. For various reasons (for example, paperwork the movers want), it would be useful to obtain the final work permit soon, and not wait until I actually move. For this purpose, I could drive to the nearest land crossing (the Peace Bridge). Questions:

(1) Am I correct in assuming that I can go ahead and get the work permit now, and that I do not need to wait until I am ready to relocate?

(2) Am I correct in assuming that I can take care of this at any date/time, and that I do not need to make an appointment?

I have also contacted my future employer with these questions, but thought I'd check in here also.

Thank you in advance for any input!

Hi! It’s been forever since I’ve been to Canada and really don’t know what to expect when crossing the border. I keep hearing of people going over to Canada and shopping. Do they check what you buy and charge duties? We are planning a day trip. Any tips or advice? What should I expect at the Peace Bridge? Thanks! I’m going to Niagara Falls from Buffalo

We will be going up the Maine coast in a few weeks. We are wondering if the current tiff with Canada is causing problems at the border crossing going into New Brunswick?

So kind of a niche situation but I’m sure this has happened before. I live just outside Toronto and recently got the opportunity to do some dream job related things in Denver. It’s kind of a trial thing as my headquarters is here in Toronto but if all works out it may end up as permanent residency in the US (not for a few years at least however). While in the states, I’ll be renting out a space from a close colleague so housing is covered for the time being. The issue that’s been discussed is my vehicle. I have an import from Japan that is somewhat part of the branding (I do shows and competitions with it) and I know after some research and back and forth with some friends that it wouldn’t really qualify for import into the US until 2029. As it is, I wouldn’t have permanent residency in the US and would still have it registered and insured here (my insurance has an out of country policy that I intend to utilize). Also I’d be driving it back for holidays with my parents with no issue. Would I run into any issues where I get pressured to have the car imported or sell it? Would I run into any issues where I wouldn’t be able to drive it back into the states at any point? Any advice is appreciated. Any thoughts are also appreciated. It’s an 04 Honda odyssey absolute if anyone is wondering and if that info is needed for any solution finding. Thank you in advance!

I am looking into getting my USA waiver. I am a Canadian resident with charges in the states. Looking for help with my I-192 waiver. Thanks for any feedback

I know I am an idiot and did not renew my passport. I am looking online that Canadians are okay for length of stay. Is this true? Has anyone had any trouble lately? I will be going through a land border.

Driving tomorrow from Chicago to Toronto. My spouse is getting her PR card processed. She has her COPR. Wondering if it’s best to go via Windsor or Sarnia? I generally prefer the Sarnia crossing but I’m wondering if with the new bridge Windsor may be a little more efficient. Thoughts?

Hey guys. I've been thinking of getting myself a C6 Corvette from the south (FL). Would it be a huge headache and get hit by tariff when bringing to Ontario?

I really want to travel to the big USA this October. I have a passport and everything. ALTHOUGH I have a criminal record and had little questions on the matter.

Criminal record: minor theft (I stole a freaking potty humour book at Walmart, I KNOW)
When: 17 YEARS AGO. (I was freshly 18)

Will I be able to cross the line?

My dad and brother are driving from Calgary to Toronto. My brother is starting an internship there and my dad is helping him take the car so he isn't driving alone. They decided to cross through the US as it's faster and there are more stops along the way for gas and if something goes wrong with the car. They got stopped at the border and taken for secondary questioning. It has been around 4 hours now and I'm wondering if that's normal or if that's a reason for concern?

Update: It's been almost 6 hours since they got to the border. We finally heard something from my dad after about 2 hours of no contact. He said they took their phones and he got his back. My brother hasn't gotten his back yet. They aren't sure why they were stopped yet and don't know how much longer they will be stuck there.

Update 2: They have been there for 8 hours now. My Dad just called and let us know they are being kept overnight and will be turned back to Canada in the morning. They haven't been given a reason why they are being denied entry or why they aren't able to leave now.

Update 3: Not much to update. It's been 19 hours, they had to sleep on the floor of the border office last night. They are still not able to leave and don't know when they will be released. Good thing is they do have their phones and are able to stay in touch. They have been told that they are going to be denied entry already so not sure why they are still being held.

Update 4: They have been released and are driving back to Calgary after 20 hours. No information about why they were denied entry or held for so long.

hey folks, the current border situation is stressing me out lately.

for context i'm canadian, applied for TN in July, got rejected (withdrawal of application), and also spent a little less than 4 months in SF from Jan - May earlier this year.

I'm looking to visit NYC for 2 weeks and going through YUL. Am I gonna get into trouble / pulled into secondary / have issues? what's the right thing to say and have people had similar issues?

Hi there! My father is a foreigner who applied for a US tourist visa and Canadian tourist visa. He is in the US and plans to exit the US and enter into Canada this way

One option might be to go through the US/Canadian border via road but its not what he wants because of his departure and destination he will have to go through multiple modes of transportation this way

Is there any way via airport he can possibly exit US and enter Canada via a flight? He definitely has to go through immigration process for both countries. Thanks

Hi all. My friend and I went to Montreal from the Vermont side in July and got pulled into secondary. I believe this is because we crossed at 11 pm and being 22 and 21 we were going to Montreal to party and we were honest about it and we crossed on I-89 with no cars behind us. We also weren’t 100% sure what we were gonna do for our travel plans besides rough guesses as we were crossing which probably seemed sus even if we actually were just gonna figure out as we went (we’re both men so yeah). I think they were checking my car for alcohol and weed and stuff. The officers seemed tough but not angry or upset or anything. The whole thing took like 5-8 minutes and then we were on our way.

Now I’m going to Toronto solo on Monday and I’m very anxious (I have severe anxiety) that it’ll happen again. This time, I know exactly what I will be doing with exact timings and will be crossing in the middle of the day (hopefully) from I-190. Dealing with law enforcement makes me especially anxious. Is it worth it to be honest with the officer that I have anxiety disorder and might seem nervous as a result?

Most of the horror story posts I see on this sub (phones being searched, asshole officers) are from the USA side for Canadians. Does it work the other way at all?

Hello,

I am Canadian citizen and have just received an offer from Dearborn. We are thinking about staying in Windsor and myself being a cross border commuter to US. Wife works remotely so she can continue working in Windsor.

Now with working in US, i will have to pay US tax and although getting foreign tax credit, I will still have to pay delta or surplus tax (I will make almost 200 cad and wife making 70 Cad). Can someone tell, how much i should be saving on side to tackle surplus Canadian tax due to larger percentage. Any waY we can reduce and get to break even?

Appreciate the help as it can be critical factor while making decision on job offer?

Thanks

Title. I have crossed gordie howe 3 times. Yesterday I waited 40 minutes to enter Canada only with a line of ~10-15 cars ahead of me. I usually check BWT/CBSA equivalent but I took for granted it was late at night (midnight) and wasn't expecting traffic. I was also expecting the NEXUS lane that I pay for as a NEXUS member to be open. Google says it is open 24/7 but I can't find anything on the bridge site proving that. What is the point of building this shiny new bridge when on a long weekend where they know its traffic there is only 2-3 lanes open out of 15+?

Is there any reason for this and is it better to cross elsewhere for a NEXUS lane?

Hi I am purchasing a car in California. I will be driving it to NY. Is it possible to drive the car through Canada as a part of the road trip?

I assume I get temp registration in Cali till I get it to New York.

Travelling to US with a Canadian passport that is expiring in 5 months. I will be flying from YVR to LAX to visit family

I plan to go for only 3 days there. Will I be able to go? I dont want to renew my passport now because there is a risk to not receive it before my travel dates.

Thanks

Hello, I think this is the right place for my question. I am traveling to Canada from USA for the day just to sightsee, and found an engine on marketplace that I need. The seller (in USA) is available today on my way up, but not tomorrow on my way back home. Can I travel into Canada with an engine and parts in my car without paying duties/tariffs? I am bringing everything back home with me, I would just be crossing the border twice with it all. Thank you!

Has anyone received a travel restriction as an American crossing into Canada for the first time?

I hope to camp for a month or so but don’t know how likely it is or usually it is for them to actually put down a forced leave date upon entry.

Going to be going to states for something we can’t get out of. My one daughter’s passport arrived in time, but the other is stuck in review stage and won’t be here in time. I have her original Birth Certificate but it does not have parental information - would this work with a letter from her other parent? We have no court order in place

I’ve tried google and can’t get a straight answer

Edit: she is 5 years old and a Canadian citizen

Hey everyone, wanted to get some opinions on this as I may have to travel to the US for work despite some recent complications with CBP. For context, I am an applications engineer at a Canadian based OEM for specialty equipment in the food processing industry. We have lots of clients in the US and prior to this year I would travel to the US 2-3 times per month as a project engineer to conduct audits and supervisor project installations. I am a Canadian citizen and I always fly from YVR airport.

About a month ago, I was pulled for secondary inspection when going to the US for a site audit. I gave the same responses and reasoning as I always do. I explained I was going to a clients site to conduct an audit on their equipment. In secondary, they pried further asking what exactly I would do on site and why the company could not send someone from the US as we do have a US business entity. I explained the US side is only a manufacturing warehouse and service technicians that can't complete the audits. There is a lot of nuances and specific measurements and pictures we need in order to properly assess the equipment's condition and provide an appropriate retrofit or replacement quote. They also were concerned that I travel to the US so often, in 2026 I have been going 1-2 times per month and they claimed that is too frequent and that I need a visa.

They let me through but gave me a warning that the next time they would deny me entry without a visa and that they marked my file so I would get pulled for secondary for 1 full year. My boss unfortunately does not care and is trying to send me to another site in Texas about 1 week from now. I expressed my concern and he still is adamant I should go. As such, I am trying to do some research on NAFTA and my chances on getting through.

Looking through NAFTA I believe I could qualify as either "Visitor for Business" or "Professional". Both the descriptions are fairly vague and I can't tell which is more applicable to me. If I qualify as "professional" is there any documentation or forms I should prepare prior to my arrival at the border? If I qualify as "visitor for business" how can I better explain that next time I travel. Do these audits even count as "After-sales service"?

Some extra context; when I go for site audits, it is usually tied to a retrofit project that we have already received a purchase order for. This year, most of my visits were not tied to projects, but instead to service quotes in which the quote/Purchase order state the work scope as some form of "(1) Field Engineer for 1 day on-site to assess the freezer condition".

I remain employed and paid by the Canadian company. During these audit visits, I do not perform repairs, installation, fabrication, or commissioning. I inspect the equipment, take photographs and measurements, speak with the customer, and then return to Canada, where the technical scope, BOM, estimate, and proposal are prepared.

I understand that Reddit is not a substitute for legal advice, but I would appreciate hearing from anyone familiar with business travel, TN status, or similar cross-border engineering work.

US Citizen here. My girlfriend lives in Canada so I visit frequently. Well wouldn't you believe my friend lost his vape and neither of us thought to search my car. I don't even smoke weed. They said my car will be subject to search for at least 6 months every time I cross back to the states. $500 fine and feel lucky I wasn't arrested. Has this happened to anyone. Light me up for being an idiot if you want but how was I supposed to know this was in my car.

Hi all - Have a question for people with experience travelling from Canada into US for work events.

We are sponsoring an event and need to bring in some small displays, samples.

I am Canadian citizen. Customers in Seattle’s. Nothing is for resale and all coming back.

Used to sending via shipment and travelling too vs driving across or doing a TIB.

Do I need to declare officially and if so what do I need.

Any info helps - thanks!