rules on going into Canada?

I've experienced much the same as Bob M, be precise and quick with all your answers. Know exactly where your going, how long your staying. I find this goes a whole lot further than all the ID man could create.

Last year, one Sun. afternoon, my wife and I decided to go to MI through Sarnia ON and Port Huron MI. Stopped at US Customs, the officer asked our citizenship, we advised Canadian, he asked where we were going. I told him, every time I come I drive down I-94, and today I intend to explore MI. He said, "You folks just go right ahead and explore all of MI you want to see. We did get asked for ID on the way home by Canada Customs.

I've probably crossed the Canada-US border 500 times, lifetime. I've only had my vehicle searched twice. Once was a commercial load going state side and the other was coming home to Canada after a shopping trip. I told my wife, she had a guilty look. Oh my gosh she was angry, she had to pay duty on roughly $400. worth of fabric back in 1979. She readily admits, even after duty, fabric was a good buy. I on the other hand got off scott free with two pairs of trousers, three shirts and socks. I wore them all while in the US. No duty on soiled clothing.

You might want to look into that, and get a definite answer from an authority. There are new regs on the way which are to be brought into force sometime this winter. I'm not sure about road travel, but I'm pretty sure that for air travel you will require a passport, both directions. Look into it rather than be caught at the border. HTH.

Rod

-Mark

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Entering Canada:

Answer customs inspectors’ questions honestly, directly and briefly. Have specific answers your destination and duration of visit.

Leave your guns ‘n booze at home. Also your radar detector! The fine in Ontario for merely possessing a radar detector – letting along using it – is several hundred $$$!

Have your vehicle registration and inspection current, and the title and insurance card ready to present. Obtain an Canadian Interprovince Insurance Card from your car insurance carrier before starting your trip (you insurance guy will provide a card free upon request)

Don’t even think about crossing if there’s any outstanding judgements against your vehicle (customs will run your plate and know all about your vehicle before you even enter the inspection booth). Even an outstanding parking ticket can get you turned back.

Once in Canada recognize everything is metric – including speed limits. (A “Speed Limit 60” sign actually means 35 mph!) And same as everywhere else, the OPP pay particular attention to vehicles with “foreign” plates.

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Returning to the USA:

Be ready to present photo ID for yourself and ALL passengers. If you have a passport that’s even better, but it’s not required (not yet anyway….) Suggest having ID ready on the dashboard before entering the inspection booth – you don’t want to be rooting around in your wallet and your wife’s purse once your in the inspection booth.

If you have minor passenger(s) aboard have a birth certificate(s) ready to establish their identity. Also be prepared to explain their relationship to you if their last names are different from yours.

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Going both directions:

Be prepared to wait. You might be lucky and blow through in just a couple minutes. However other times (particularly Friday/Sunday afternoons, holiday evenings, etc) you might wait in line an hour or more to cross.

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Enjoy your trip – Canada is a truly wonderful county!!

Had a brand spankin’ new Cadallic, a long-legged blonde in the front seat and a single carton of Winston cigarettes layin’ in the back.

They made us get out and the border guards ripped that car apart one end to the other. They was just sure I was carrying or doing something illegal.

I'm pretty darned sure that I would have been okay if I just would have left that goofy blonde behind.

They have rules on what they will let into their country. :>)

Allan

Yes I do as a matter of fact. LOL!

Allan

They will ask several questions - Where are you from, where are you going, business or pleasure, how long will you be staying, etc.. Just give them short, direct answers and you should have no problems.

On the Canadian side, things can get complicated if you are bringing anything across that you plan to leave there, or if you plan to do any type of work while you are there. However, it sounds like this will not be a factor for you.

Go and have fun!

Scott

Checking the computer, I had been finger printed at 4 years old as part of a identify lost children program. Imagine that, I couldn't remember being printed...