Canada Updates Travel Advisory for the US

Canada is warning travellers to the US their electronic devices may be randomly searched and reminding them there are new tariffs on some US products they might be bringing home.

The Government of Canada’s travel advisory page was updated April 4 and says “U.S. border agents are entitled to search your electronic devices, such as your phones, computers or tablets, when you are entering the United States. They don’t need to provide a reason when requesting a password to open your device.

If you refuse, they may seize your device. The border agent could also delay your travel or deny entry if you are not a U.S. citizen. Before crossing the border, put your device in airplane mode to ensure remote files don’t get downloaded accidentally.”

The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued a reminder that in response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian-made goods, Canada has imposed a 25% counter tariff on certain U.S. products brought into Canada. The CBSA is collecting the tariffs on behalf of the Government of Canada in the form of a surtax.

Travellers may need to pay a surtax (as well as any applicable duties and taxes) on some of the goods you have purchased and are bringing back with you from the U.S. The lists of these products is on the Department of Finance website: products surtaxed as of March 4 and the other as of March 13. The surtax is assessed by the CBSA at the port of entry and must be paid before you enter Canada.

Canadians have personal exemptions that allow them to bring goods, including alcohol and tobacco (up to a certain value), back to Canada without paying regular duty and taxes. The surtax only applies on the amount of goods that exceeds your personal exemption. Travellers are reminded to have receipts readily available.