Vancouver sees 38% decline in southbound vehicle crossings to Washington in December 2025 amid stricter U.S. border policies
Decline in Visits from British Columbia to Washington State
The holiday season used to be a busy time for British Columbians taking shopping day trips or extended vacations to the U.S. Recent data shows that the decline in visits to Washington state from B.C. is continuing.
Border Volume Data
The Whatcom Council of Governments’ 2025 Changes in Border Volume data indicates that in December 2025, the volume of southbound vehicles from B.C. to Washington state dropped by 38 percent compared to December 2024.
This marks the eleventh consecutive month of decline, with nearly 100,000 fewer personal vehicles crossing the border.
The data includes vehicle volume from the Peace Arch, Pacific Highway, Lynden, and Sumas ports of entry.
Travel Slowdown
The slowdown in travel from B.C. to Washington state began in February 2025. Nearly 1 million fewer travelers made the crossing last year.
Overall, there were 36 percent fewer vehicle crossings between the Pacific Northwest neighbors in 2025.
U.S. Policy Changes
The latest drop in travelers coincided with several U.S. policy changes. A new regulation requires individuals leaving or entering the United States, including Canadians, to be photographed at land borders.
This regulation went into effect on December 26, 2025, and applies to all non-U.S. travelers. It removes prior exemptions, including diplomats and most Canadian visitors entering the U.S.
Previously, Canadians only needed to provide biographic information when returning home from the U.S. by vehicle.
Social Media History Requirement
Canadians traveling to the U.S. could soon face additional restrictions. A new proposal from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) suggests that travelers may be required to share their social media history when entering the country.
This proposal was shared in a notice dated December 10.
Changes to Border Crossing Programs
Canada recently announced plans to end a U.S. border crossing program that has been in place for decades. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced that its Remote Area Border Crossing Program (RABC) will close on September 14, 2026.
Travelers with an RABC permit can currently cross into Canada at certain remote areas along the U.S. border with minimal processing. This system will be replaced with designated telephone reporting sites starting September 14.
| Year | Change in Vehicle Crossings | New Regulations |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Baseline Year | N/A |
| 2025 | 38% decrease in December | Photograph requirement at borders |
| 2026 | End of RABC program | New telephone reporting sites |
