Canada border crossing recommendations

[TJ]

We live just five miles south to the US-Canada border (Washington state) and cross frequently. You have received some excellent advice from the previous posters. Here are a couple of other tips we've learned from our crossings, and from people we know who work in border security..

1. Look the border agent in the eye when answering questions. I take my glasses off so he/she can see my eyes.

2. Be polite in all your answers. If you get edgy with a border agent, they can cause you no end of inconvenience. Complaints about wait times do not go over well!

3. Answer all questions truthfully and succinctly. Where appropriate, a simple "yes" or "no" is best. Don't volunteer additional information beyond that which directly answers the question asked. They already know more about you than you think! By the time you get to the border agent, he/she has already entered your license plate into the computer and has a huge amount of information about you on their screen.

4. Do not make joking comments; treat the border experience as a professional encounter. Border agents see hundreds of people each day and have heard all the jokes. And, they have been trained to "read" people. Joking answers can be taken as an indication that you are not being truthful.

TJ

[twogypsies]

It's best to have your dog contained so when they open the door it doesn't run or even bark at them.

Excess alcohol is allowed. You just have to pay duty on it. Not a big deal.

Take your sunglasses off. Look them in the eye. Just answer "yes" or "no" unless they want more information. Don't offer information or try to explain things unless they ask.

I think people worry about the whole process too much. If you're a good, honest person they'll treat you good. Keep in mind they keep a lot of personal records on their computer on you so answer truthfully.

Have a good trip!

[Winepress]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

I would suggest you use a credit card for EVERYTHING as the exchange rate is not good. We find our Capital One card gives us the best rate possible and use it for even minor purchases.

Exchange rate is 1 U.S. dollar = 1.31 Canadian. It’s a bargain in Canada. Last year fuel worked out to be less than the U.S. Plan on using a card with no foreign transaction fee. Our card, Citibank Costco, gave us the same exchange rate as the bank. We also used the ATM’s quite often.
Had a great time in Canada. Going back next year. Hope your staying in some of the provincial parks as they are beautiful.

[Dom]

As a few other Canadian I can only apologize for unfriendly nation CBSA. Most of them are friendly, as we travel Stateside. The odd ones are jerks, like the one who asked me how much US cash. I had two thousand. Times he
How long is that going last. Duh I 50 grand left on my credit card

[rlott2k]

Originally Posted by Winepress

I made a list of what we had on board and offered it to the border agent. Makes it easier than trying to remember.

Yes, full list of foods and alcohol. Shows you pay attention .

[jsmmonaco]

we have crossed over the border into canada 5 or 6 times in the past year or so........we play it safe, we fill the frig when we get there, bringing only snack type stuff.............no booze, no guns, no knives, no pepper spray.........make sure you have pet's medical records (shots etc), vehicle registration and insurance information for rv and toad, limit tobacco (if applicable) to the max. 200 cigarettes, your passports of course............when returning to the states, we normally clean out the frig, no veggies or fruits or meats.............the canadian border folks have been very nice, US border folks not so much.......never been searched, but they can if they want..................and remember, even if you have many secret little storage spaces, don't try to take something that is on the list of prohibited stuff..............we are actually getting ready to head up there next week.............answer their questions truthfully, be polite, and don't worry about it, they can sense when you are nervous..............actually, they expect people to be nervous...........have a good time

[docj]

Originally Posted by jsmmonaco

we have crossed over the border into canada 5 or 6 times in the past year or so........we play it safe, we fill the frig when we get there, bringing only snack type stuff

With all due respect, there really is no reason to go to this extreme. Each time we've crossed the border we've had a freezer full of stuff. The rules are pretty clear that reasonable quantities of fresh meat and poultry for personal use are unlikely to be questioned.

However, we do always read the current rules on fruits and vegetables since those change periodically and can be more restrictive. For example, this year potatoes could be brought into Canada only if they were in a commercially packed and labeled bag. So we ate all our potatoes while still in the US and then bought a bag of potatoes at Costco (in Canada)--that happened to have been grown and packed in the US!

[knightstorm]

Cleaning out the fridge is not necessary.

http://inspection.gc.ca/food/informa...89648516990#a1

[FLJOE]

We crossed into Canada last year on the Harley just for a day trip. I agree with what a couple folks said about custom officers. The Canadian officials were very friendly and helpful. When returning the first thing out of the U.S. border official's mouth was "take your sunglasses off". I hadn't even taken my bike out of gear or taken my helmet off yet. Needless to say the rest of our interaction was not very friendly.

[PandS]

We entered Canada in Alberta 3 weeks ago in our RV. Even though we are carrying long guns, We spent a total of 18 minutes at the Canadian checkpoint. They did not take our food, they did not take our alcoholic beverages, and they did not search the Coach. They were very congenial and professional throughout the encounter. This mirrors the crossing I made in Manitoba when entering Canada on a hunting trip, the many, many trips over the last 25 years to run my dogs in retriever field trials in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick, and last year when we entered New Brunswick from Maine bound for St Johns for a day trip and lunch.

We are now in Alaska and the crossing back into the U.S. was equally smooth.
I have heard the horror stories but my personal experiences have not been like that at all. -Paul

[rjsupersonic]

Originally Posted by Field Trip

We’re headed to Canada this August.
Plan on staying up there for two weeks. Going through Calais, ME to Halifax, NS (Woodhaven RV Park) and to Darnley, PEI (Twin Shores Camping Area).
We’ll be taking the Ventana, Jeep and dog. Guns staying home.
As this is an extended 8 week trip from FL to Boston, Maine, NY then to Newmar for our factory appointment, we’ll be loaded with our stuff similar to when we were full timing.
We’ve been to Canada multiple times for day trips, even stopped and searched once, but have never taken the motor home or dog. Obviously we will bring our passports, the dog’s medical records with evidence of his shots.
Seeking suggestions about crossing into the border with the motor home…

We just went through the truck crossing in Calais and are currently at Fundy National Park ( Highly recommended), The crossing took about 6 minutes, no traffic I had passports and vehicle registrations for the motor home and toad in hand. We carried no fruits or vegetables only bear spray which is fine. The highway is very nice 4 lane with very little traffic a few rough spots through St. John and down the hill into Fundy. We will be taking the car to PEI in a couple of weeks I understand there is a stiff toll on the way back over the bridge. Nice friendly people beautiful country enjoy!!
PS all the Walmarts in NB appear to be RV friendly

[docj]

Originally Posted by rjsupersonic

We will be taking the car to PEI in a couple of weeks I understand there is a stiff toll on the way back over the bridge.=

IMHO don't let the bridge toll be the thing that causes you not to take your MH to PEI. The toll is ~$45 for a car and ~$65 for a 2-axle MH and toad. PEI is a lot bigger than most people realize and there are things to see spread out over a large portion of its length. If all you do is see the Anne of Green Gables stuff then you've missed most of what the island has to offer. JMO

[PandS]

Originally Posted by docj

IMHO don't let the bridge toll be the thing that causes you not to take your MH to PEI. The toll is ~$45 for a car and ~$65 for a 2-axle MH and toad. PEI is a lot bigger than most people realize and there are things to see spread out over a large portion of its length. If all you do is see the Anne of Green Gables stuff then you've missed most of what the island has to offer. JMO

Agree wholeheartedly! Make sure to go to a Church dinner. They are a fundraiser for the churches and the food is fresh and GOOD! Typically consist of salad, fresh steamed PEI Mussels, fresh boiled Lobster, corn on the cob and fresh home made pie for dessert.

Also, go fishing! -Paul