Everything US and Canadian RVers need to know about crossing the world's longest undefended border. Declarations, prohibited items, firearms rules, duty-free allowances, NEXUS, and what to expect in the inspection lane.
Every person crossing the Canada-US border must present valid travel documents. For US citizens and permanent residents entering Canada, accepted documents include:
Cannabis remains illegal at the Canada–US border in both directions regardless of Canadian federal law or US state laws. Do not bring cannabis across the border. Attempting to cross with cannabis can result in arrest, criminal charges, vehicle search, and being banned from future border crossings. This applies even to cannabis products purchased legally in Canada or US states.
Laws governing controlled substances and firearms at international borders are enforced strictly. Confirm current rules with official border authorities before crossing.
When entering Canada, you can bring personal-use goods duty-free up to certain limits. Amounts above these limits require duty payment at the port of entry.
| Item | Duty-Free Allowance (After 48+ Hours in US) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol — Wine | 1.5 litres (two 750ml bottles) | Must be of legal drinking age in destination province |
| Alcohol — Beer/Cider | 8.5 litres (approximately 24 cans/bottles) | Must be of legal drinking age |
| Alcohol — Spirits | 1.14 litres | One standard 1.14L bottle |
| Tobacco — Cigarettes | 200 cigarettes (one carton) | Must be 18+ |
| Tobacco — Cigars | 50 cigars | Must be 18+ |
| Goods (general) | CAD $800 | After 48+ hours abroad; CAD $200 for under 48 hours |
| Currency | No limit to bring in | Must declare amounts over CAD $10,000 |
| Gifts | CAD $60 per gift | Alcohol and tobacco not eligible as duty-free gifts |
| Firearms | Non-restricted: yes with declaration | RCMP Form 909 required; prohibited weapons not allowed |
| Cannabis | None — prohibited | Illegal at border regardless of origin or destination laws |
Note: Allowances above are for personal use only and subject to change. Verify current limits at the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) website before crossing.
Note: Duty-free limits and border requirements are subject to change. Verify current rules with the Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection before your crossing.
Canada and the United States share over 100 land border crossings. For RV travellers, crossing selection matters — some crossings have commercial lane restrictions, height limits on covered lanes, or restricted hours that affect RV passage. Major crossings like Windsor-Detroit, Niagara Falls (Peace Bridge, Rainbow Bridge, Queenston-Lewiston Bridge), Douglas-Blaine BC/WA, Emerson MB, Coutts-Sweetgrass AB/MT, and North Portal SK are all well-suited to RVs. Check the CBSA website for crossing hours and wait times. The CBP Border Wait Times app (US Customs and Border Protection) shows current wait times at major crossings.
All travellers entering Canada first pass through a primary inspection lane staffed by a CBSA officer. Have your passports and vehicle registration ready. The officer will ask basic questions including: Where are you coming from? Where are you going? How long will you be in Canada? What are you bringing with you? Answer truthfully and declare everything. If you have anything to declare, tell the officer proactively — "I have 2 bottles of wine to declare" rather than waiting to be asked.
A percentage of all vehicles are referred to secondary inspection — this does not necessarily mean you've done anything wrong. Secondary is a longer inspection where officers may examine your vehicle more thoroughly including the RV living quarters. CBSA officers have the right to search your vehicle without a warrant at the border. Be cooperative and honest. If referred to secondary, proceed to the designated area and follow instructions from officers. Allow 30–90 minutes for a secondary inspection.
NEXUS is a joint Canada-US Trusted Traveller program that allows pre-approved, low-risk travellers expedited border crossing. NEXUS card holders use dedicated lanes at many crossings and typically cross in minutes without the standard screening questions. The application fee is US$120 for 5 years. You undergo a background check and interview at a NEXUS enrollment centre. For frequent US-Canada RV campers, NEXUS pays for itself extremely quickly. Apply at cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/nexus.
Non-restricted firearms (rifles, shotguns) can be brought into Canada by US residents for hunting or sport shooting with advance declaration. The process: download RCMP Form 909 (Non-Resident Firearm Declaration), complete it before arriving, present it to the CBSA officer. The fee for declaring firearms is $25 CAD for up to three firearms. The declaration is valid for 60 days in Canada. Firearms must be unloaded and stored separately from ammunition. Restricted firearms (handguns) require special permission from the Canadian government — contact the Canadian Firearms Centre well in advance.
Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter the United States for tourism or recreational camping, but they must present a valid passport at the border (enhanced driver's licences are accepted at land crossings). At US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), expect questions similar to CBSA: purpose of travel, length of stay, items being brought in. Standard admission is for up to six months.
When returning to Canada from the US, Canadians have duty-free allowances based on length of absence:
If you purchase a used RV in the US and bring it to Canada, you will need to pay applicable import duties and taxes (typically GST plus provincial sales tax), have the vehicle inspected and modified to meet Canadian safety standards, and register it in your province. Consult the CBSA and Transport Canada before making such a purchase to understand the full cost and process. This does not apply if you are visiting Canada temporarily — only if you are permanently importing the vehicle.
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