Buy United States Dollars (USD) in Canada
Guaranteed genuine US banknotes with zero hidden bank fees. Select your preferred branch below to view real-time vault availability, live buy rates, and reserve cash with no advance payment.
The Direct Answer: To buy US Dollar banknotes in Canada without losing 2.5% to 3.5% at chartered banks or 15% at airport kiosks, choose a dedicated currency exchange counter. Currency Mart stocks all denominations ($1, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 bills) with guaranteed genuine security verification across 4 physical branches in Toronto and Winnipeg.
Select Your Location to See Live Rates & Availability
Rates and cash inventories are tracked branch-by-branch. Please click on the location where you want to collect or receive your US Dollars:
Downtown Yonge St
North York Fairview
Winnipeg Downtown
Winnipeg St. Vital
Genuine US Dollar Banknote Gallery & Denominations
Currency Mart inspects every physical US banknote with optical and ultraviolet counterfeit detection equipment. Here are the genuine banknote denominations available at our branches:
$100 US Dollar Note
Featuring Benjamin Franklin, 3D Security Ribbon & Color-Shifting Bell in the Inkwell.
$50 US Dollar Note
Featuring President Ulysses S. Grant & US Capitol back engraving.
$20 US Dollar Note
Most popular denomination for US ATMs and everyday retail travel expenses.
$10 US Dollar Note
Featuring Alexander Hamilton & US Treasury Building.
$5 US Dollar Note
Featuring President Abraham Lincoln. Essential for casual tipping.
$1 US Dollar Singles
George Washington singles. We bundle these in packs of 25 and 50 for valet and hotel tips.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buying US Dollars
What is the cheapest way to buy US dollars in Canada?
The cheapest way to buy US dollars in Canada is through a specialized retail currency exchange provider like Currency Mart. Major Canadian chartered banks (RBC, TD, BMO, CIBC, Scotiabank) charge exchange rate markups between 2.5% and 3.5%, whereas Currency Mart charges wholesale margins of approximately 0.8% to 1.2%, saving you $30 to $50 CAD on every $1,000 USD exchanged.
When is the best time to buy US dollars?
The best time to buy US dollars is when USD/CAD approaches the lower bound of its 30-day or 90-day moving average channel, or before holiday peak travel periods when bank spreads widen. You can track weekly trading channels on Currency Mart's Canadian Dollar Forecast tool and set rate drop alerts.
How much cash can I bring from Canada into the United States?
There is no legal limit to how much physical cash you can bring into the United States. However, if you are carrying $10,000 USD or more (or foreign currency equivalent) per family traveling together, you are legally required to declare it to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) using FinCEN Form 105. There is no tax or duty owed on declared currency.
Can I request specific US dollar denominations (like $1, $5, and $20 bills)?
Yes! Unlike major Canadian banks that often only stock large $100 bills, Currency Mart branches in Toronto and Winnipeg maintain full inventories of small denominations ($1, $5, $10, and $20 bills) perfect for US road trip tolls, tipping valet porters, and casual dining.
Do I need to show identification when buying US dollars in Canada?
Under Canadian FINTRAC regulations, valid government-issued photo identification (such as a Canadian Driver's License or Passport) is required for transactions of $3,000 CAD or greater. For smaller cash amounts, ID may be requested for fraud prevention and reserve order verification.
Save on Currency Exchange in Toronto & Winnipeg
Skip airport markups and big bank spreads. Collect authentic physical banknotes at our 4 retail branches or order securely online for home delivery across Canada.
Currency Mart Inc. is a federally registered Money Services Business (MSB #M11432814) under the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC). The calculators, comparison tables, and fee estimates provided on this site are for informational and illustrative purposes based on published market benchmarks and retail bank rates. Actual airport kiosk margins and bank wire surcharges vary dynamically by institution and transaction tier. Readers should verify final quotes prior to booking travel or initiating foreign transfers.