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Old 06-27-2013, 06:45 AM   #1
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Any considerations for crossing from US to Canada in motorhome?

We are likely going to be taking our motorhome on a car ferry to Canada (BC) for a short trip in August (ferry can support height and weight). We are leaving the toad/dinghy at home.

For those that have crossed into Canada recently with their rig - Are there any special considerations that I need to think about with crossing the border in our RV? I've crossed in a passenger car several times over the years.

I expect to need to get a letter from our insurance to cover it crossing the border per talking to an insurance agent.

Passports of course.

Any other items that should not be present in the rig to make for an easier border crossing and US return? (We don't carry firearms, fireworks, or pepper spray). For example, any camping items that pose issues (lighter fluid, etc).

Any unique issues with crossing to Vancouver island vs Mainland? Any Vancouver area or island requirements about turning off propane? (Tunnels, etc)

Thanks!
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Old 06-27-2013, 06:46 AM   #2
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Don't bring any weed. (oh crap.. that was my outside voice).
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Old 06-27-2013, 07:50 AM   #3
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Not for sure about it but, you will most likely have to turn off the propane. It is something I would check into before boarding the ferry.

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Old 06-27-2013, 08:00 AM   #4
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Do not volunteer any information. Do not joke with the border agents. They should ask what your business is in Canada, do not joke about doing some work.
We have stopped in Canada a few times and passed thru it more times than I can remember. Even when Thom did have some work to do in Canada he always just said that he was there as a consultant.
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Old 06-27-2013, 08:23 AM   #5
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Are you traveling with pet's? If so bring proof of current vaccinations. There are limitations on amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring across the boarder without declaration.

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Old 06-27-2013, 08:45 AM   #6
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Don't bring any weed. (oh crap.. that was my outside voice).
Well now we know.
Propane off , for sure. Most citrus fruits are a no, no, as mentioned , limits on booze and cigarettes .
Are you using the Blackball Ferry, out of Port Angeles ?
Somewhere , I have a link to the Canadian Government web site for restrictions at the border , but the ones all ready mentioned ( weapons in particular ) are the biggies . I'll re-post as soon as I have the link.
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Old 06-27-2013, 09:17 AM   #7
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I can't always get links to work but here goes.

www.cbsa.gc.ca

On the right side of the page .
" Frequently Requested "
Should give you all the answers you need.
And of course this link opened a different home page.
on this page. Click English then on the ,Left side " By Audience "
Click " Non-Canadians "
under Visitors to Canada
Click " Arriving in Canada " or " Travel Tips "
Enjoy your trip.
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Old 06-27-2013, 09:35 AM   #8
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Do not volunteer any information. Do not joke with the border agents. They should ask what your business is in Canada, do not joke about doing some work.
We have stopped in Canada a few times and passed thru it more times than I can remember. Even when Thom did have some work to do in Canada he always just said that he was there as a consultant.
I agree. My experience with them is stay with yes & no answers unless they ask for more info. Volunteer nothing.
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Old 06-27-2013, 09:41 AM   #9
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I have often wondered about you Americans coming back into the USA and the hassel you get from your border crosing people. We travel across the border alot and have always had trouble coming into the States. They go through our motor home with a fine tooth comb. We forgot one time about having 2 red peppers in the fridge that was not allowed, and the border crossing guys came out with guns drawn to see what else we didn't declare. As stated above there is no ha ha with these guys. We were threatened with a 400.00 dollar fine and perhaps refused in to the USA. I asked the guy if he knew what was in his fridge at home. I don't know of any guy out there who does. My DW does the shopping and all I do is eat what she buys. I have no clue what is in my fridge here at home or in our coach. They let us go with a written warning and we were red flagged for the next time.

Comming back into Canada we were welcomed with open arms, sure they asked us how much booze we had and how many cigarettes we had..we don't smoke so that was no problem. They never even got out of the little booth they have.

How about you Americans? What if any hassel do you get returning back home??

Just curious
Ted
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Old 06-27-2013, 10:05 AM   #10
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It's the same thing going either way.
Do not volunteer anything. Yes and no and no other information than exactly what they ask. Never give more than what is asked.

Years ago, before Thom and I were married, I stayed in Florida to finish a contract job while he took a new job in MI. He took my car and I kept his truck. His job involved a lot of traveling so we figured it would be more economical in the car instead of the truck. He got stopped every time he went to go one way or another over the border. Even with getting stopped it still took less time to go across from MI to Buffalo, NY thru Canada.
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Old 06-27-2013, 10:05 AM   #11
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How about you Americans? What if any hassel do you get returning back home??
I've never had any. Never really a bad experience going over either.

One time, many many years ago there were 6 of us on motorcycles going on a camping trip around Lake Superior. Other than being on motorcycles, we appeared like anyone else at the time.... Except for J.P. He had longer hair and a huge bushey beard. He was turned at the border because he was an 'undesireable' in Canada. That of course ticked us all off and wasn't about to let JP go 600mi back home by himself. So we all turned around and spent all our money in the U.P. of Michigan.
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Old 06-27-2013, 10:13 AM   #12
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Well now we know.
Propane off , for sure. Most citrus fruits are a no, no, as mentioned , limits on booze and cigarettes .
.

Here's a link that works to a detailed list of what you can and cannot bring into Canada:

Government of Canada - Be Aware and Declare! - What Can I Bring Into Canada in Terms Of Food, Plant, Animal and Related Products?

I'm not sure where you got your information on citrus fruit, but actually as far as I can tell the restrictions going into BC are on apples, stone fruit and potatoes. I went to the detailed automated Canadian imports website located here:

Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) - Plants - Canadian Food Inspection Agency

at which you can specify exactly what you are bringing and for what purpose (personal consumption; not for sale) and I had no problems getting it to say that, for example, California oranges were OK to bring.

We're also traveling to BC and Alberta in a couple of weeks so this is of importance to me and I've spent some time researching the issue. I find that it's better to go back to the "source documents" such as the links I have provided than to rely on the comments posted in threads such as this one.
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Old 06-27-2013, 12:23 PM   #13
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I have often wondered about you Americans coming back into the USA and the hassel you get from your border crosing people. We travel across the border alot and have always had trouble coming into the States. They go through our motor home with a fine tooth comb. We forgot one time about having 2 red peppers in the fridge that was not allowed, and the border crossing guys came out with guns drawn to see what else we didn't declare. As stated above there is no ha ha with these guys. We were threatened with a 400.00 dollar fine and perhaps refused in to the USA. I asked the guy if he knew what was in his fridge at home. I don't know of any guy out there who does. My DW does the shopping and all I do is eat what she buys. I have no clue what is in my fridge here at home or in our coach. They let us go with a written warning and we were red flagged for the next time.

Comming back into Canada we were welcomed with open arms, sure they asked us how much booze we had and how many cigarettes we had..we don't smoke so that was no problem. They never even got out of the little booth they have.

How about you Americans? What if any hassel do you get returning back home??

Just curious
Ted
Interesting.. I have the same experience going into Canada... We spent several years snowmobiling in Canada, often spending upwards of $10k per person (3-6 people per trip). The last sled trip into Canada, the border aholes thought it would be fun to rip apart our truck, trailer, snowmobiles, and bags. Didn't find so much as a cigarette butt. They spent 3 hrs going through our stuff. Left it all ripped apart.

One of my buddies asked "what are you looking for?" The border cop pulled his gun and pointed it his face point blank and said "whatever we want".

Needless to say, we packed up all our crap, turned around and came back into the US. Spent that trip touring Maine on snowmobiles.

Haven't been back to Canada since (this was 10 yrs ago) and don't plan on it any time soon.

Mal
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Old 06-27-2013, 04:12 PM   #14
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don't bring any weed. (oh crap.. That was my outside voice).

dude !! :d
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