Alaska Border Crossing Information
There are no border restrictions in place.
Crossing the border between Canada and Alaska by road is usually simple although there are some requirements to be aware of. Wait times at border crossings are generally short or even non-existent. In addition to providing travel documents, you may be asked about your travel plans and what you are bringing into the country, particularly fruits, meat and other plant and animal products, alcohol and firearms. Be prepared with your identification ready. It’s a good idea to know what you can and can’t bring across the border, and what you need to declare. Here are some useful links:
Traveling to Canada from the U.S.
Canada Border Services Agency
1-800-461-9999 • www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
- Identification Requirements for U.S. Citizens Traveling to Canada
- Restricted and Prohibited Goods
- List of Food Products Allowed into Canada from the U.S. (You must declare all all food items and any animals, animal products, plants or plant products)
- Traveling with Pets
- Personal Exemptions
- Traveling to the U.S. from Canada
United States Customs and Border Protection
(202) 325-8000 • www.cbp.gov
- Know Before You Go (video)
- Helpful Links for U.S. Citizens Returning to the U.S.
- Bringing Food into the U.S.
If you are traveling with your pet, you must bring Proof of Rabies vaccinations for a dog. This is recommended but not required for cats.
Personal Exemptions All articles acquired in Canada must be declared. There is an $800 exemption for gifts and personal articles, including one liter of alcoholic beverages per person over 21 every 30 days.
CBP officers can inspect you and your belongings without a warrant. This may include your luggage, vehicle, and personal searches.
Customs Stations
British Columbia, Canada
Klondike Highway #2
Fraser, British Columbia • 1-800-461-9999
Year-round: 8 am – midnight (Yukon time)
Haines Highway #3
Pleasant Camp, B.C. • 1-800-461-9999
Year-round: 8 am – midnight (Yukon time)
Southeast Alaska
Klondike Highway #2
Skagway, Alaska • (907) 983-2325
Year-round: 7 am – 11 pm (Alaska time)
Haines Highway #3
Dalton Cache, Alaska • (907) 767-5511
Year-round: 7 am – 11 pm (Alaska time)
Yukon
Alaska Highway #1
Beaver Creek, Yukon • 1-800-461-9999
Year-round, 24 hours
Top of the World Highway #9
Little Gold Creek, Yukon
May – Sept: 9:00 am – 9:00 pm (Yukon time)
Interior Alaska
Alaska Highway #2
Alcan, AK • (907) 774-2252
Year-round, 24 hours
Top of the World Highway #9
Poker Creek, Alaska
May – Sept: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm (Alaska Time)
Please advise me what date the “Top of the world highway” closes for winter usually. Thanks.
The highway is open during May – September (for exact dates call the information centre in Dawson City at (867) 993-5566)
Is thier any date set when they will allow Rv travel from the US to Alaska
We aren’t aware of any timeline that will allow regular RV travel. It will all depend on how soon this pandemic slows down enough where it is safe to do so again.
My family and I are relocating to Alaska and I will be working as a nurse. Do we only have 24 hours to make it all the way through to Anchorage? Do I need a passport to enter back into Alaska?
You only have 24 hours to travel through the Yukon. We are not aware of any time limit when travelling through British Columbia. You will need a passport to enter Canada. For US see this page on what you need: U.S. Citizens – Documents needed to enter the United States and/or to travel Internationally
My husband and I will be traveling to Alaska on the ferry in August 2021 with our vehicle. We then plan to drive back to our home in Seattle. Will this be possible with the current Covid restrictions? We are fully immunized at this time.
Great idea to get yourself into Alaska by Ferry! You should probably be ok. Of course, things can change by the time you are travelling, but assume the same tight restrictions that are currently in place. It’s still at the discretion of the border agent to give you entry into Canada. Worst case, you may have to take another ferry back down to Seattle?
I want to bring my grandchildren, do they need passports? Will birth certificates work?
You will need their passports and also a permission letter from their legal guardians. In the letter you’ll want to include details like how long the trip is and when you will be back.
Travelling to Alaska from Canada in my RV, what meats am I allowed to bring?
Canadian citizens traveling from Yukon to Alaska resrictions: can I bring fresh eggs, frozen fresh meat, fresh fruit, or vegetables? Next canned or dehydrated foods such as canned fish, dry pasta, dry cereal, packaged potatoes chips, roasted nuts? What quantity of wine, beer or spirits? Cigarettes?
Tools: can I bring axe, chain saw.
Weapons there will be no fire arms. What about bear spray?
Documents will be passports. BC identification. Proof of extended medical.
Pharmaceuticals I would bring are prescription or over the counter aspirin, Tylenol, anititch, Benadryl, antacids, diarrhoea med, antibacterial ointment.
Please refer to US Customs and Border Protection site, they have some information on what food items are allowed.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1273/~/food–bring-personal-use-food-into-the-u.s.-from-canada
Bear Spray shouldn’t be a problem. The medicines for personal use is also not a problem.
I am looking to travel from Washington state back home to Alaska and driving in Jan. Would the road from Canada to Alaska be closed?
The Alaska Highway Canada/US border is open year-round. Safe travels!
good morning, we are 2 Italian tourists. Next November 9 we would like to go from Whitehourse to haines for the eagles festival. Is it possible to cross the border with a rental car at Whitehourse? On November 14 we should return from Haines to Whitehourse. Please help me to know if it will be possible? Thank you so much and greetings from Italy. Bruno
Yes, you can cross the border with your rental vehicle into Alaska.
I want to travel through Canada border to get to Alaska. If I have my passport has there been any restrictions due to the coronavirus?
HI Tiffanie! There are currently no restrictions at the Canadian border in place due to COVID-19.
I’m trying to move from Florida to Alaska within the next 2 weeks is there any restrictions do to The covid 19?
I am in AZ and want to travel home to Alaska through Canada like I normally do. Will Canada let us cross the border and proceed to Alaska without quarantine? I realize once in AK we have to quarantine for 2 weeks.
I have two loads of trusses going Haines ak from anchorage i need some information on how long of a trailer is legal and how wide the load can be with out pilot cars and whatits going to cost to go thru so if i could get a phone number of who i need to talk to please Thank You
The border is only open to essential good movement. Perhaps it’s possible to transport your trusses by Ferry from Whittier?
Or perhaps AML?
Hi I need to move to be with my husband from washington to Alaska and in light of the border closing im wondering if it’s still possible to cross the border to get to Alaska. If anyone knows please let me know
We cannot provide any travel advice other than our COVID-19 Statement found at the top of the page. You have to call the Canada Border Services Agency 1-800-461-9999.
Can Alaska residents drive home through the lower Canadian border from the USA into Canada all the way to Alaska during the covid -19 virus outbreak!
We cannot provide any travel advice other than our COVID-19 Statement found at the top of the page. You have to call the Canada Border Services Agency 1-800-461-9999.
That number doesn’t work in my are for some reason
Sorry, that only works from within Canada. Here’s the number to call from outside of Canada: 1-204-983-3500
The number you provide to call 1-800-461-9999 says I am out of the call area. I can not get an answer to whether or not I can get home to Alaska.
Sorry, that only works from within Canada. Here’s the number to call from outside of Canada: 1-204-983-3500
I am needing to report for US Forest Service work in Petersburg, AK on June22nd 2020. I currently live in Washington state and wish to drive through Canada, (Bellingham to Prince Rupert Ferry to Petersburg). Is this considered acceptable to border crossing security for covid?
Based on our understanding yes, but you need to contact Canadian Border Services and once you reach Watson Lake they have a check-stop as well, from there you have 24 hours to make it to Beaver Creek.
Ferry is not traveling to or from Prince Rupert. I called and Alaska Marine Highway (ferry system) told me they are not going to Prince Rupert for the rest of 2020.
What about traveling on military orders from Alaska to the lower 48? Is this allowed?
Yes, based on our understanding if you have a reason to travel to the lower 48 you will be able to travel through Canada.
Is moving to Alaska with a u-haul considered “essential” travel? My husband & I are helping our son move there in July.
Yes, as far as we understand.
Hi I am starting a job in anchorage alaska and am driving to alaska from idaho. Is the canadian border open fore alaskan residents to drive there from the US?
Yes, for essential travel. This sounds like it would be.
We are wanting to drive thru Canada via the Alcan Hiway to relocate back to Alaska. We are in the process of selling our home in Oregon, and working with a real estate agent in
Wasilla, Alaska, for the purchase of our new home. Is travel thru Canada to Alaska allowed for relocation? We are aware of the restrictions concerning touristing, shopping, etc. We will be traveling in our self contained motorhome with sufficient groceries and supplies to comply with the isolation requirements. The only commerce requirement we will need are fuel and RV camping. We are originally Alaska residents, with family history from back into the 1950’s. We have been retired in Oregon for 10 years and are relocating back to Alaska to be closer to family.
What type of documentation do we need besides our passports and government issued ID’s?
We believe this is deemed as essential travel. Make sure to check with the Canada Border Services Agency for further details.
I have an employment opportunity in Anchorage area. Will I be able to travel there in my RV with my wife and dog from the lower 48 ? I need to let the employer know ASAP.
It is our understanding that this would be deemed as essential travel. Make sure to contact the Canada Border Service Agency. Safe travels!
Hi, I am moving from Florida to Alaska permanently July 17th 2020, my home is being built as I write this, my question is can I drive the uhaul through Canada to get to my home? To me this is very essential travel because I won’t have a place to live if I don’t get to my home in Alaska. I can provide all information if needed. I will also have my dog with me.
Thank you very much!
Roger
Hi Roger, this sounds to me like essential travel. Make sure to contact the Canadian Border Services Agency and explain your situation. And make sure to adhere to safety guidelines in place by the local authorities as you travel through Canada.
Also, make sure to read the guidelines put in place by the state of Alaska. Safe travels!
How much time do people have driving through British Columbia on their way to and from Alaska? By I read that you have 24 hours in the Yukon but you don’t specify how much time between the Yukon and other border crossings?
At this time we’re not aware of any time restrictions on your time in B.C., however you are required to stick to your travel corridor and not spend any time in Canada other than drive through to the States or Alaska.
We are thinking of flying down to Portland and purchase a motorhome there and drive it through the Alcan highway. Another married couple that lives in Portland that use to live here will be coming back with us to help us drive up. Is this possible? Thinking of doing this late August
Hi Tina, that sounds like it will be fine. As long as you are aware it’s the border agent’s discretion to approve entry into Canada. Having said that, you’ll be in an RV, self-contained and make sure you know you are not allowed to spend extra time in Canada and you are supposed to stick to your travel corridor.
We need to travel from Fairbanks to Utah. Our house in Utah was recently flooded and needs.$20-30k work done and we can’t have it done without being there. Also, my Wife is a mental Health Professional volunteering for the American/Nevada office of the American Red Cross. We are Alaska Residents and divide living in both Alaska and Utah. We want to cross at Beaver Creek and will be in a self-contained RV. We don’t want to fly because we are in our 70’s. Tried doing the ArriveCan app without success (it won’t accept usa address as destination). How do we find out if we can get thru?
This sounds like essential travel. I would suggest calling the Beaver Creek border station to confirm. But if you live in Utah as well it shouldn’t be a problem.
A family member will be moving from Alaska to Midwest , will they be allowed to travel thru Canada . They plan on leaving near end of September
A move from Alaska back to the midwest is considered essential travel. Any documentation they may have backing up the claim would be helpful.
I’m flying up to AK from KY to help my daughter drive back to KY. Her spouse is stationed in AK, but she is moving to live with us (her parents). She has no actual orders. Will we be permitted to travel through Canada on the Alaskan Hwy?
This definitely sounds like essential travel. However, as always the border agents have final say in individual cases.
My husband has a rare eye cancer & treatment is only available out of Alaska. We have a letter from an MD at Harborview Med Ctr in Seattle for treatment. Passports & ID & will isolate in our RV through Canada. RV is fully self contained, are we required to stay in campgrounds in Canada?
There are designated hotels that are located right along the highway. When you get to Beaver Creek the government staff will provide you with that information so that you can stay in a hotel in Whitehorse for example on your way south.
I am moving from Alaska to Mississippi. I have my truck, motorcycle and a few things to go in the truck (no trailer). I have made the trip from Alaska/Beaver Creek to North Portal/US Border/North Dakota many times. Am I allowed to drive from Beaver Creek to North Portal stopping only for gas, take out meals and one night lodging?
I would enter Canada on or about March 29, 2021 sleeping in truck. Spend one night in Edmonton and then drive on to the Canadian/US/North Dakota Border before it closes, as per website – North Portal closes at 9:00 p.m.
May I have permission to finalize this trip?
Thank you for your response. David Baldwin
Hi David, you shouldn’t have any issue. It’s always good to call the CBSA or the border station directly. Starting February 15th you do have to show a 72-hour negative PCR test. Safe travels!
I will be flying to Alaska from Colorado to pick up a car i bought through the auction, then drive it back from Alaska to Colorado. Do i need to provide covid 19 Test to embark on this Journey? Can you please advice me on the proper things I need before embarking on this Journey? Thank you
As of February 15th, you are required to show a 72-hour negative PCR test at the land border.
Can we travel through Canada to vacation in Alaska?
Great question. I don’t think you would be able to cross the border into Canada if that was the only reason for travelling. It is open to non-essential travel through Canada for other reasons such as moving, snowbirds heading back south, or returning home from the southern states to Alaska. As always, it’s up to the border agent’s discretion to allow or deny you entry into Canada.
My husband and I will be flying into Anchorage from Minnesota on Aug 4th, Renting a car, and would like to drive to Haynes to see our friends who live there. On August 13 we plan to return to Anchorage and fly out. We are both vaccinated, will we have any trouble with this plan? Well we need a Covid test to drive through Canada for this visit? Thank you for your help.
Hi Julie,
Based on the current border restrictions I think the only way to get to Haines will be by air or via the Alaska Marine Highway. I hope you still make it to Haines, it’s a very nice trip!
Hi we are planning to fish for Salmon and Halibut for 7 days in Alaska on June and we want to take our fish with us across Canada from Alaska to lower 48 via our vehicle. Do you know of any restrictions? Thank you in advance.
It looks like you are allowed to bring back up to 40KG of fish back across the border. Bringing food into Canada for personal use