Canadian border crossing fear is hurting local businesses near the U.S.-Canada line.
A small parcel business in Blaine, Washington, is struggling to stay open. The owner says the store is losing around $5,000 each month. To save money, they have reduced business hours, turned off the lights, and stopped using heat. Every step is a way to hang on during hard times.
But new changes at the border are making things worse.
U.S. border agents have started checking cars that are leaving the country and heading into Canada. These checks are taking place at the Pacific Highway and Peace Arch crossings. The extra checks are scaring people away. Many now worry about crossing the border at all — both going into the U.S. and returning to Canada.
Some travelers have reported that their cars were fully searched. They were asked to fill out forms that prove their legal right to enter the United States. In some cases, travelers were also asked to give fingerprints. These inspections can take up to an hour or more.
These long waits and tough checks are turning people away. Businesses near the border say they are seeing far fewer Canadian customers than usual.
In April 2024, over 200,000 vehicles from British Columbia crossed into the U.S. But last month, that number dropped by more than half. Fewer Canadians are visiting Whatcom County, and local shops and services are feeling the drop.
One business trying to survive is Ship 49, a parcel receiving store in Blaine. The store depends heavily on Canadian customers. With fewer of them coming down, it’s been hard to stay open. Another parcel business in nearby Point Roberts has already shut its doors.
“I start to well up a little bit when I talk about possibly shutting down or just not being here anymore,” said the owner of Ship 49. “It feels like my baby.”
Other businesses, like Semiahmoo Resort Golf and Spa, have also noticed the change. The resort saw fewer Canadian visitors during spring break. But things are starting to look up again.
The resort now offers “on-par” pricing to Canadian visitors. That means they treat the Canadian dollar the same as the U.S. dollar, making it easier for Canadians to afford a visit. This pricing move has helped bring some people back.
“Americans support this idea,” a staff member said. “They know it helps when Canadians come south. It’s good for everyone.”
Some Americans also enjoy visiting British Columbia. They say their money goes further there, so it works both ways.
Still, the extra checks at the border are keeping many people away. The inspections may be part of a bigger effort to catch crime or illegal travel. But for regular people, it feels like a reason not to visit.
Business owners hope the situation improves. Stores and services near the border depend on Canadians to keep going. If the trend continues, more businesses may have to shut down.
For now, the owner of Ship 49 is doing everything possible to stay open. To save money, the business is running on shorter hours and cutting back on energy use, including turning off lights and heat.
Despite these efforts, the fear and stress caused by the new border checks continue to hurt the local economy. Fewer Canadians are crossing, and that means fewer customers for shops that depend on cross-border traffic.
“I hope people come back,” said the owner. “I really don’t want to close.”