Crossing the US?Canada Border

I'm thinking about buying an engine up in Winnipeg Canada. Wondering what kind of hassle I'd run in to bringing it back across the border.
Do we need a passport now to cross? What kind of duties whoud a guy have to pay. Just wondering if it is all worth it.
TIA
Jerry

I think all you would need would be a passport at the most.

Make certain to leave any hint of hunting equipment, guns, ammo, camo at home.
Customs officers are hired by a committe using Oprah's guidelines.

I used to know the answer to that- there was a time limit when you could cross into Canada or Mexico without a passport, but I forgot if that has ended by now. Regarding the engine, make sure you have a bill of sale, and the engine is clean- pretty much the same for bringing a tractor across. Used to be no duties for personal use.

Call the folks at the port you intend to use and ASK them.

Better to get it "from the horse's mouth"!

As far as the engine, is it a farm machine?

Was it made in Canada, or the US (or elsewhere)?

Should be no duty on most farm equipment, and no duty if it was originally US made.

I know to get from detroit to windsor, you need 2 piecse of id. driver license and birth cert. or pass port

Government issued ID (Drivers license or Birth Certificate etc will get you into Canada). Guns/ammo may be brought in provided the Canadian regs are met (I have done it many times in the last couple of years as I collect and hunt) However unless you are importing one or coming up to hunt best just to leave it at home and avoid the hassle. For all you concealed or otherwise side arm carriers out there you can forget that up here... Not saying it is right or wrong just the way it is. However unless you want to stay here (Here being Canada) better have a passport to get back home as anything less is frowned upon at most/all US points of entry. Many peopel will tell you what to say or not say when crossing the boarder. My advice is follow the rules going both ways, tell the truth and you will have no problems. Sometimes the customs officials (both ways) are a little snotty but it is best not to return the favor. most times they are nice. I have had many nice trips to the US (I go at least twice a year often more) and I am sure yours to Canada will be just a nice.

Ian

Al you need to cross is a valid drivers liscence and a birth cert. Passport is not required till June.

Equipment is up to the border guard. Last spring I bought a planter in NY, brought in to Canada no problem. Went to bring it back to US and was delayed for 2 hours. Border Guard said it was bought in CA, I had a valid recipt and paper work from auction co showing it was purchased in NY. Had Border guards, Agriculture agents and State police crawling all over planter, trailer and truck. I even called ahead to Border, ( Blue Water Bridge Authority in Pt. Huron MI) To see what was needed.

You need more than just a drivers license. Been that way for a while now. I cross NY-Canada-MI borders many times during the year. You might get lucky and get a border agent not doing the job, but I wouldn't count on it.

Techincally, right now you need a government issued photo ID plus proof of citizenship. A drivers license along with a birth certificate is accepted for now. In June, it won't. Then you'll need either a passport, or an enhanced drivers license. New York already has the enhanced licenses - I have one, so does my wife, and so does my 5 year old kid even though he doesn't drive. A dog requires certain health certificates.

Here's the text from the current aggrement between the USA and Canada.

"Beginning January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens 19 years and older who enter the U.S. or Canada at land and sea ports of entry from within the Western Hemisphere will need to present government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license as proof of identity, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate, or a passport. Children age 18 and under will be able to enter with proof of citizenship. Verbal claims of citizenship and identity alone will not be sufficient to establish identity and citizenship for entry into the United States."

I don't think you have to pay duty if the engine is made in a NAFTA country. If it's rebuilt that should be fine, since I imagine it's done here. The exchange rate is obviously great for you right now. Where are you getting the engine? Just curoius since I live near Wpg.

The staff at the Blue Water bridge at Sarnia/Port Huron are an odd bunch.
Intended to bring home an ebay farm tractor. They told me on no uncertain terms. It was going to be a 3 day wait and would require the ownership, deed, license and registration for the tractor.
I then asked once " for a FARM tractor?". They started to get cranky so the best course of action then was to shutup.

Strip search, then post your picture on the internet so smile. More women will reply back that way.

I had some buddies go fishin up there a while back cause they do (did) every year. For some reason they got checked on the way up. Random I guess. Were up there a week and came back, but one stayed up there cause was going to be there for two weeks I guess. Because they were randomly checked on the way up, they were mandatorily checked on the way back I guess. Problem was like six went up and five came back. That started some stuff cause as near as I can tell someone figured they must've killed and buried the other guy up there or something and they got tied up for a day and did get strip searched, probed, and whatever else happened to them before they finally got let go somehow. They said that aren't going fishing back up there anymore. Nothing personal, just said it was too much hassle, especially the father who's like 80. It was his first trip with the boys, and his last. He was about as unhappy as I've ever seen him when they got back. Will probably just go fishin over at the pond or lake from now on I guess.

Mark

Just so you know, I have never been past the sign that says welcome to my home town. I do however have friends that cross that border very often, some by plane.


They have been known to actualy tear the dash and seats out of planes, with no responsability to replace said items.

Here is the advise they gave me and some friends. If you wear sunglasses take them off right away, look the officers directly in the eye, and never do anything other than blink, and as seldom as you can. You answer the questions without any hesitation in your voice, and be loud and clear and confident. Yes sir, no sir etc. without ever looking at your wife or friend you may have along. They study your body language, and you meet them straight on without smarting off. YOU HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE. Hesitation is reguared as you must stop and think of a good story to tell. Thinking up a answer? (without a doubt), will make them ask more questions.

Don't look uncomfortable or agrivated with their questions, Know exactly where you are going and when you plan on returning without looking at a road map etc.

Who you are going to visit, phone number, address etc. What you will be bringing back home and approx value of said items. Your contact on the other side best have your name...and the same story you have in a reasonable amount of detail. Best have your contacts work and home number so they can contact them without delay. Remember the boader guards have to work all day, and delay is not a big issue for them.

No adult beverages, pack as lightly as possible, because you may be repacking the bags.

Also avoid large amounts of cash other than reasonable amounts. Medications must be in the original bottle. Do not take a new prescription refill and dump into your old bottle etc. The date the prescription was filled less the number of pills you take daily is a good idea.



They had a few more, but I can't think of them at the moment. If you aren't going hunting do not take your shooting iron along either.

NE IA

Well,
Now I'm leaning towards not going.
The fellows on the Ford board got me thinking the engine wouldn't be right for my tractor. Was thinking about putting a 4000 engine in a 3000. Maybe not.
Thanks to all for the advice.

My younger brother takes an annual trip to Canada to fish, at the crossing (Soo)one time they asked him if he had any arrests, he admitted to a 10 year old drunk driving arrest and they would NOT let him enter - he had to hire a lawyer and pay lots to clear his record, it took quite a while but he now has no problem crossing. Be careful what you admit to!

My Scotish born wife and I attempted to cross the can-us border. She has lived in Canada for the past 58 years came here with her family as a child. We had visited the usa forty times without any problems until we met a young border guard who decided she was from a terrorist state. He showed us a letter from Pres Bush who advised all Great ritan colonies were to be considered this because some terrorist had bombed the London subway.We were escorted back to the Can side where we were met by can Immigration.They told us the US Immigration was crazy.When we got home we visited our member of parliament and he advised it was their country and they could do as they pleased.My wife did all her schooling in Canada got a PIN from the goverment, paid taxes all her life, got married had two children,and will shortly get her Can pension and old age cheques from the Canadian Goverment.I advised the border guards that if this was how the usa was fighting terrorism its no wonder there losing. The guards replied it was not their fault and pointed to a picture on the wall of Mr Bush saying its his ideas.

Funny thing about us older guys is that when we were born a lot of us got a "Record of Birth" from the US Gov. not a "Birth Certificate" I was in getting my new drivers license and the guy looked at it and said we can't except that its not a "Birth Certificate" Now what do I do. Stay home I guess. I was lucky on the license as I went in early a few days before the change over and got an 8 year license.
Walt

Not sure about documentation, as that seems to be in a state of flux (more on the coming home side) and changes monthly.

But NE IA is spot on about your attitude, going in either direction. Answer their questions honestly and don't try to buddy up to them with a joke answer.

I've applied those rules without fail dealing with the Canadians going in. Coming back, my experience has varied.

On one occasion coming back, I had an officer hit me wtih a fast barrage of questions, which started at, "Are you carrying any citrus fruits?" I wanted to remark upon the reputation of the sweetness of the tangerines from the famed Nova Scotia citrus groves, but bit my tongue and answered with a very direct, "No". The barrage, several questions later, wound up with , "Any grenades, bombs, tanks, or missiles?" I was in a Honda Prelude, and told him, "Just the .50 cal you see mounted on the roof." His question was facetious enough that I got away with it, but there are other guys that would have come unhinged at an answer like that.

On another occasion, I was detailed to break up an ugly impasse between a postmaster (a well-known character about town, but a flaming arsehole) and his letter carriers in a border town, about 100 miles from home. A friend of mine whose family loves their tea knew that what passes for Red Rose in Canada is a different animal from what they sell in the States, and asked if I could pick up some of the Canadian variety for them. So I took my lunch break one day and popped over the bridge and got a couple of boxes for him. Coming back, I got the usual questions. Residence? Citizenship? How long have you been in Canada? Well, it had only been about twenty minutes, so the purpose of the trip was the next question. "To buy some tea." Still in auto-mode and like he hadn't heard me, he asks if I'm bringing back anything with me. "Two pounds of tea bags." That snapped him out of auto-mode, and he inquired why I might have driven 100 miles one-way for two pounds of tea. I left my friend's preferences for Canadian tea out (put it out as my own preference), and explained that I hadn't driven that far for that purpose alone, that it was a matter of convenience as I was in fact in town on official government business, and simply popped over to a Canadian grocery whilst I was so near. He asked for my government ID and asked about the nature of my official business. I told him I had been sent to try and clap a lid on the postmaster, Mr. C (names aren't important here). As it turned out, the agent was Mr. C's son-in-law. He was able to stifle his laughter but not his grin. He handed back my documents, wished me all the luck in the world, and waved me through.

Fond memories and fun stories to tell, but don't mess with those guys. Have your paperwork (customs [bill of sale, etc.] and immigration [documntation]) in order and deal with them honestly is the best advice.

Aaahhhh. The Patriot Act! You got lucky.

Long story short, I've been known since my mother first registered me in grammar school by my stepfather's last name. (Divorces weren't as common then as they are now, and it was easier to register me that way than to explain why our last names were different.) That name was on everything except my birth certificate and my passport -- driver's license, SSN, tax filings, school records . . .

The new rules require documentation of identity and citizenship. With the two different last names out there, I couldn't put the two together and so had to go to court at the age of 51 to have my name officially changed.

Wasn't that some fun? And costly!

Call the crossing you will be returning at and ask what questions you have. Also noone said anything about grease/ SOIL. Go by a car wash and give the engine a good cleaning and finish by blasting the dirt off the trailer.
Aways found 0500 hours a good time to cross back into USA.

NO SOIL.