My son has had trouble going into Canada with a van full of instruments and equipment. The customs officials want to see a work permit. For the money they used to get for a punk rock gig, it wasn't worth getting a permit. Now that they actually make money, they have an agent who handles work permits and such.
But for a time, it was a real hassle for them. They thought it was better to go through Sarnia or Niagara Falls, not through Detroit-Windsor.

-Joe-