There are many rules concerning what you can bring across the U.S. / Canadian border, and they change constantly. For an overview of what’s restricted and banned, see these sections below:
If you’ll be making a round trip, first entering one country and then returning to the other, keep in mind that some rules could be different each way. It’s a good idea to check both sets of requirements and plan ahead.
This page will give you general information on which items you can bring into the U.S. and Canada. To find more information on what taxes and duties you may need to pay on the things you bring across the border, check our What Will It Cost? page.
If you have more specific questions about your particular situation, check the contact information for each of the government agencies below.
Items You Cannot Bring Into the United States
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency doesn’t decide what can and can’t be brought into the country, but it does enforce the laws that other government agencies – such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – put in place.
Penalties: The regulations change from time to time because they’re based on what the U.S. currently considers a threat. Fines for bringing a prohibited or restricted item across the border range form $100 to $50,000.
Prohibited Items
Prohibited means you absolutely cannot bring a particular item into the United States, since it’s forbidden by law to enter the country. Prohibited items include:
- Illegal substances like absinthe and Rohypnol. Drugs and drug paraphernalia are prohibited unless you have clear documentation of a medical prescription. DO NOT bring marijuana across the border without first reading our page on crossing the border with cannabis.
- Soil is prohibited unless accompanied by an import permit. All camping gear, recreational equipment, and supplies must be clean and free of pests and soil.
- Firewood cannot be brought into the U.S. from Canada.
- Products containing dog or cat fur are strictly prohibited. We have a separate page on traveling with your pets.
Restricted Items
Restricted means you might be able to bring your item into the United States, but you will need to check the rules, and you may need special licenses or permits from a federal agency.
If you are carrying any of the following items, you MUST disclose them to the US border official:
- Firearms
- Fruits and vegetables
- Plants and cut flowers
- Meat and animal products
- Live animals
Here is a general list of the more common items that you are restricted from bringing into the U.S.:
- Food: There are many restrictions on food items, and some change over time as the U.S. tracks diseases and bugs affecting meat and plant products around the world.
- As a general rule, processed foods for personal consumption or for family/friend gatherings are allowed. This typically means food that’s commercially packaged, or thoroughly cooked throughout. For everything else, you should check the regulations.
- Tip: Keep the packaging for commercial food items so you can prove their origins.
- Visit our page about foods you can and can’t bring into the United States for more information.
- As a general rule, processed foods for personal consumption or for family/friend gatherings are allowed. This typically means food that’s commercially packaged, or thoroughly cooked throughout. For everything else, you should check the regulations.
- Firearms are strictly regulated. See our page on importing firearms into the U.S. for more information.
- Cars and other vehicles: Automobiles are subject to various rules, so you should read our page on importing a vehicle.
- Certain fish and wildlife, and products made from them, are subject to import and export restrictions, prohibitions, and permits. Specific ports of entry handle fish and wildlife, so you should check with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to clear your entry.
- Counterfeit articles, or those that infringe a federally registered trademark or copyright, may be seized.
- However, there is a possible exception of one article, provided that the article is for personal use and is not for sale. This exemption can only be granted at most every 30 days.
- Cultural artifacts may require an export permit.
- Medication: You may bring medication if it’s prescribed for personal use, and is a legal and approved treatment by the US’s Food and Drug Administration.
- Declare all medication!
- Keep it in its original packaging, and only bring as much as you (or another “reasonable person”) would need for your travels, and carry your official prescription or doctor’s note with you.
Items You Cannot Bring Into Canada
Prohibited Items
Below is a general list of items you cannot bring into Canada:
- Firewood: You can’t bring firewood across the Canadian border. You’re expected to buy and burn it on site when you’ve reached your destination.
- Weapons: Most types such as tasers, brass knuckles, and pepper spray.
- Includes certain knives, even those used for hunting or fishing. Review our page on importing a firearm or weapon into Canada for detailed information on this topic.
- Radar detectors
- Obscene material, hate propaganda and child pornography: They can inspect your laptops, cellphones, and other computer equipment to see what you have on it.
- Soil: Even other items you bring with you, such as camping gear, recreational equipment and supplies, must be clean and free of pests and soil.
Restricted Items
The following categories of items often have restrictions. This means you will need to check the rules to see what’s allowed, and you might need a license or permit.
- Food
- There are many rules and regulations regarding food items, especially things like fresh fruits and animal products. The rules also change over time as the government tracks new threats to Canada’s ecosystems. Visit our page on restricted foods for detailed information on which food items the Canadian border officers will be looking for.
- Weapons (including firearms)
- Check our page on importing a firearm or weapon into Canada for detailed information on this topic.
- You must declare all firearms and weapons when you enter Canada. If not, they will be seized and you will likely be fined and could face criminal charges.
- If you declare your firearm, you might still have it confiscated, but are should be safe from criminal charges. You may also have it returned to you when you leave the country.
- You need documents to prove that you are entitled to possess a firearm in Canada, and you must transport it safely.
- Permits are also required for explosives, fireworks and certain types of ammunition.
- Cars and other vehicles
- Automobiles are subject to various rules, so you should read our page on importing a vehicle into Canada
- Bait
- A permit is required for some types of live bait.
- Transmitting radios
- If you have an American operator’s license, you may use your aircraft, marine or amateur radio while visiting Canada without a Canadian license. All other types of radio transmitting stations may only be used if registered with Canada.
Have Questions?
This page should have given you an overview of what is restricted or prohibited, but if you have more specific questions, you should call either the Canadian Border Information Service (CBIS) or the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For questions about entering or reentering the U.S., you can call the U.S. Customs Office at the border crossing you will be using. We have a specific page for all of the U.S. ports, which include port phone numbers.