Border crossing : Calais, ME

[caymann]

Do the canadian agents come into the coach and inspect the refrigerator OR is it just questions from their booth? ( I don't have a TX license plate)
thanks
jim

[Clifftall]

Quote:

Originally Posted by caymann Do the canadian agents come into the coach and inspect the refrigerator OR is it just questions from their booth? ( I don't have a TX license plate) thanks jim

I entered through there in 2003 and all they wanted to know was how much booze and tobacco we had on board. I don't recall any refrigerator questions. All I can say is don't get caught in a lie. I know of people who had their MH torn apart because of a few cases of beer.Also , guns are a huge nono.

[Ottawa]

Normally they just question you from the booth, unless they send you for secondary screening, in which case they will probably enter your MH. I the four years I have only been stopped once on the US side for an Agriculture inspection. In that case they just came to the door and asked a few questions.

[FC Ontario]

The only time we have been really searched was this past fall when we were across in our car and they searched the trunk only at the US Customs. No big deal. Many time the agent will just step inside our motorhome to see if no extra bodies. and they check out the bathroom.
Other than that no problems.
Make sure no guns, rifles or mace in your units when entering into Canada.
JM2CW

[joelyn5]

If you're coming back into the US at Calais, ME be certain to go through the truck lane. Luckily the border agent came out and waved us into the truck lanes. The car lanes were either too narrow or had some turns we couldn't make.

[Akibase]

I find that Canadian border patrol (customs) are far more friendly and if they feel they want to inspect your RV, are far more respectful and don't treat everone like a common criminal. On the other coin the US Border Patrol is totally anal and although they have a job to do, could be a lot more respectful and friendlier.

While we are on this subject of US Border Patrol, does anybody know of an accurate and up to date listing on the web of what food items can and can not be taken across the border into the US in your RV?

MY WIFE AND I ARE NOT TERRORISTS. WE ARE TWO OLD HARMLESS FARTS, HAVING FUN IN OUR RETIREMENT
THE ONLY DAMGEROUS DRUG WE IMPORT IS VIAGRA AND ONLY TAKE THESE SO I DON'T ROLL OUT OF BED. LOL

[Norm4015]

In 2003 we crossed the border there with friends and both of our motorhomes sported Texas plates. Yes, they pulled us both over for inspections and kept waving all other RVs through. The agents were nice and friendly and did the inspections in about 20 minutes. My wife was allowed to remain in the motorhome and the agent asked her a lot of questions. Another agent outside asked me questions and told me to unlock the car and he inspected it. I asked if he wanted me to unlock the cargo bay doors and he said later, but later never came and they didn't look in the basement. After the inspection they told us to have a nice stay in Canada.

Since 2000 we have crossed into Canada 18 times (12 in motorhome and 6 in car) in different places and that was the only time we were inspected. But in 2008 we crossed into Canada with those same friends - this time in Montana. Our motorhome had Montana plates and after a few questions the agent waved us through. Our friends had Texas plates and you quessed it - they were pulled over for a 30 minute inspection.

[WOODYDEL]

You can take guns into Canada. You have to take out a permit. They will check the rifles and shotguns serial numbers against the paperwork. They will ask you how much ammo you have. They will tell you YOU CANNOT USE YOUR GUN IN SELF DEFENSE AGAINST ANY HUMAN. No handguns not even with a state permit. Not even the police can enter Canada with a handgun. On an episode of Alaska State Troopers the competition between them and RMCP required they turn in their weapons (handguns) and have Canadian weapons issued for the competition.

I just tell the truth and never had a problem. You can get the permit papers online. You'll be surprised how many guns you can bring in with you.

You can't take any mace etc into Canada BUT you can bring bear spray. It better have a picture of a bear on the can and say specifically what it's for. You CANNOT use in on a human for any reason. The fines are astronomical. I'm only mentioning the spray because the Eastern Coyotes are causing some problems, even in NY. They run in packs. They have attacked people in that area. They are different than their western counterpart. The spray could be a good thing to carry if you go deep into the woods.

[FC Ontario]

Just a note about crossing at Calais, St Stephen. We have crossed there many times in our RV and have always used the car lanes. The truck lanes require a 90 degree right turn and a drive through a building where they I guess x-ray the units??
On our last pass through in 09 they waved us to the outside left lane for the pass through and no problems at all. They did take a look inside but not more than 2 minutes there.
Normally at border crossings RV's are dealt with in the same lines as automobiles and the signs will show that.
Just to mention there is a brand new modern border crossing a couple miles north of ST Stephen and there the access is fantastic. We used this border the last time across last August. It bypasses the traffic in down town St Stephens where the streets are narrow. JM2CW

[clubmed98]

We have used new crossing in Houlton in the past and found Calais a real pain do to so many turns and tight lanes...where, route directions, is the new crossing in ST Stephen/Calais

[1ciderdog]

Two summers ago we crossed into Canada from Houlton. After a few standard questions (firearms, money, etc) the Canada customs officer waived us through. Our traveling companions in the motorhome directly behind us were put into secondary and a very thorough inspection took place. All bays, compartments, tow car were checked. Canada customs officers removed firewood our friends had carried on previous trips. Their RV was somewhat larger, newer and nicer than ours. We later discussed possible reasons they were singled out for close inspection. The three possibilities we thought of were he had California plates (ours were Oregon); he is Hispanic with longish hair, or they were checking every third (or 5th, etc.) vehicle. It cost us about an hour of time on a very great trip to NE Canada and did not leave us with negative feelings. I'll certainly continue to visit Canada as opposed to our friendly southern border neighbor.

[FC Ontario]

The border crossing is maybe 5 miles north of down town Calais St Stephen and north of Milltown. The divided highway on the New Brunswick side ends right at this new crossing. From Calais you go north on route 1 I think, like you would be heading for the route 9 road to Bangor. Its before this route 9 exit. It shows up on Google Earth if you have access to it.

[mariogeneau]

Passed through this winter from Quebec and they asked me questions about certain foods and alcohol. Told them the truth and they said I had way too much alcohol. 22 bottles of wine and 2 x 24 bottles of beer. They asked why so much alcohol and I said; hard to find good wine when on vacation. They let me go without any more questions.

[Akibase]

Good news!!!! The new border crossing at St Stephen / Calais is now open and much easier to navigate.