New figures released January 6 2026 by the Whatcom Council of Governments reveal a 38 % year-on-year decline in vehicles with B.C. plates entering Washington State in December and a 36 % fall for full-year 2025. Vancouver’s CityNews attributes the slump to “icy trade tensions” and new biometric-collection rules that began Boxing Day, requiring photographs—and in some cases fingerprints—of all non-U.S. citizens at land borders. (vancouver.citynews.ca)
April 2025 registered the steepest monthly drop at 51 %. The downturn has hit cross-border retailers hard, while Canadian travel agencies report a 40 % slide in U.S. flight bookings last winter. Washington businesses meanwhile complain of lost B.C. tourist dollars.
![Data Show 38 % Drop in British Columbians Driving to U.S. in 2025]()
For U.S. destination-marketing organizations and outlet malls near the border, the statistics confirm anecdotal reports of sluggish traffic. Some have ramped up discount campaigns and loyalty programs targeting Canadians, but analysts say policy friction is outweighing price incentives.
If the trend continues, mobility professionals will need to adjust employee per-diem forecasts for Western Canada, anticipate longer waits as new biometric systems roll out, and track whether planned DHS photo-capture at exits further suppresses spontaneous day trips.
April 2025 registered the steepest monthly drop at 51 %. The downturn has hit cross-border retailers hard, while Canadian travel agencies report a 40 % slide in U.S. flight bookings last winter. Washington businesses meanwhile complain of lost B.C. tourist dollars.
For U.S. destination-marketing organizations and outlet malls near the border, the statistics confirm anecdotal reports of sluggish traffic. Some have ramped up discount campaigns and loyalty programs targeting Canadians, but analysts say policy friction is outweighing price incentives.
If the trend continues, mobility professionals will need to adjust employee per-diem forecasts for Western Canada, anticipate longer waits as new biometric systems roll out, and track whether planned DHS photo-capture at exits further suppresses spontaneous day trips.
Source: CityNews Vancouver
