What things can I not bring through Canada?

No kinder suprize. No more than $10,000 cash unreported. No drugs or drug paraphernalia. No meat. No fruit or vegatables.

Before you embark on your journey why not just call Canadian Customs and simply ask??

This List should help.

Fresh produce, plants and meats as other people mentioned. Over $10k, also mentioned.

On your way back into the states you are supposed to declare items you bought if you were in Canada fewer than 4 days (I think 4 days??? Check that). Technically you are supposed to pay a tax entering America. I admitted to having 2 Coffee Crisps in my luggage the last time I crossed. LOL. I think almost all Americans have a stash of those.

@JLeslie Pay a tax? Isn’t there a fairly large exemption though? I’ve certainly gone on shopping trips to Canada, declared the stuff bought, and no one ever mentioned a tax.

I agree with Squeaky2 call customs, or do some research.
If you’re considering travel with a pet, be sure to meet the requirements.

Also, it’s still cold in Canada, especially at night, bring warm coats, cap, sweaters, gloves….

If you’re driving, bring their recommended travel box in case weather strands you; with blankets, candles, metal can for burning, cardboard etc. for burning, lighters, snacks, water bottles, more snacks, tissues, chap stick,flashlight & batteries…..

Drive slow if it’s icey or Snowing. Stop if weather gets bad. They have a border patrol like Mexico, so make sure you don’t lose your I.D.
And, things are more expensive in Canada than in America. :)

Make sure you will get signal for your cell phone and also make sure your phone rates will Not go up since you’ll be out of the U.S.

@Zaku I tried to do some searching and can’t get a clear answer about returning from Canada. Here is a link, but I’m still confused. Maybe NAFTA changed a lot of the old rules. I remember also that if you stayed in Canada long enough a US citizen could file to get their VAT back. That may have changed also.

This is the jest of your links:

If you bring items that you received free as a gift into the U.S. from Canada, you must give a $ dollar amount that you believe the item is worth. Because you may get an exemption or reduced a duty rate.

If you are bringing items that you bought in Canada, into the U.S., you must provide proof of purchasing these items with a store receipt, an invoice, or a bill of sale AND you must declare them on a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) declaration CBP form 6059B. Link to Form:

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/clearing-cbp/traveler-entry-form

If you are bringing items that you bought from Canada into the U.S. to SELL then you must contact a Customs Broker to make arrangements in advance to have your goods cleared through Customs and Border Protection. Use the link below to contact that port:

http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports

Ask about Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a value-added tax introduced by the Federal Government in 1991 at a current rate of 5%.

And Ask about Harmonized Sales Tax (HST; combined GST and provincial sales tax), which can range from 12–15% on top of the GST, making it a total of 17%-20% in Taxes!

It appears Michigan was the only state in U.S. to use a VAT.

Also, they said if you travel with your personal items such as a blow dryer, it should appear to be at least 2 years old to avoid having to pay a duty rate lie you would a new hairdryer.
So, anything new may require you to pay a duty rate.

That’s all I know, so please make that phone call. :)