RVing into Canada, what to watch out for 2 the experience

[twogypsies]

Simple crossings..... just answer questions directly with no 'fluff' added to it. Keep it as short as possible. Absolutely no kidding around about anything. Nothing to worry about unless you're trying to conceal something. They run your license plate before you even talk to anyone so they know all about you. No lying.

[Triangle Drifter]

Given where we actually live, Bermuda, and that we are often the first Bermudians that border officers have ever seen, experiences are a real mixed bag.

The shortest had to be less than one minute wheels stopped going into Canada at Sarinia. The longest re entering the US at some tiny crossing in NE WA. where we got lectured by an officer over the 180 day thing for over a half hour after he had to find out from his superior officer that we don't need a visa to enter the US. They don't like to be found wrong.

Funniest was another small crossing, this time ID, where another officer did not know about the no visa required by us and harrased us until we demanded to see his supervisor. The supervisor knew all about the no visa requirement. He had been stationed in Bermuda for some years at the Border Protection at our airport. Yes, you can clear US Border Protection BEFORE getting on the plane in Bermuda.

Most embarrassing was at the US border, Niagara Falls, a very busy place. After a long wait it was our turn and upon seeing where we are from said that she had recently been to Bermuda and proceeded to chit chat about her trip there. Meanwhile the line behind us was sitting and sitting and sitting. We think welcomed the short break from business.

Border crossings are like Forrest's box of chocolates. You never know what you will get. They start to profile you before your wheels stop. Take your sunglasses off, have your passports ready and any other possible papers handy. Have a good attitude with a pleasant greeting. That alone might catch the officer off guard in a sea of grumpy drivers.

[Unplanned Tourist]

I think the funniest of many crossings I have done was coming back from California by myself. My wife was still working so I drove down to SF and picked her up and she flew home from SF also.

I just happened to run across a great deal on a couple cases of wine. At the border I pulled up to the window, run the window down and just then my cat hopped on my lap and stuck her head out the window to say hi to the woman. She must have been a cat lover, because she forgot to ask about any alcohol! And I didn't mention it either. I was prepared to pay the duty, but if she didn't ask, I was fine with that.

[rudyhehn]

We have crossed 6 times. Never had any significant issues. We had a normal conversation, neither clipped nor long, just normal. All the agents were respectful and reasonable. All of our agents asked if we had guns (no). One asked if we had knives, which of course we do since we have a kitchen on board. Asked if it was a kitchen size knife or a weapon. We answered kitchen of course, and did not get into a special forces lesson about how to assassinate someone using household culinary items. One agent wanted to see our 7-year-old who was asleep in the back of the RV and match him to his passport, which seemed like a good safety measure.

[rggarrott]

My only RV crossing into Canada was exiting Maine enroute the Canadian Maritime at 9am on a Sunday morning. Not much traffic, with more Canadian Customs agents than customers, so one of the senior agents decided to use us as a training subject for one of the newbie agents. My wife, the cat and I got to sit on the curb (no shade, benches or chairs) while they spent 45 minutes tossing a 43-foot motorcoach. I was beyond annoyed when they finally came out but got my revenge diplomatically. After getting the all clear, I asked if they had a few minutes to spare (they did). I then informed them I was a retired Coast Guardsman with counterdrug experience and wanted to show them five places where contraband could be easily hidden inside the coach. By the time I finished, the senior agent had smoke coming out of his ears and the trainee was trying to be invisible. I thanked them for doing a thorough job, but the point was made.

[oldenavy]

We are a “mixed” family, one is American, the other is Canadian. With family in both countries, we have crossed the border way too many times to count. Kenandterry hit the right buttons for an easy border crossing.

I would add to always check the websites to make sure you don’t have anything that isn’t allowed across. Guns going into Canada, of course, and know your limits on alcohol and tobacco going both ways. For RVers, this often means that you may need to give away some food before crossing the border. It pays to check your fridge.

We have had a couple of grumpy border people over the years but they are mostly very professional. If we’re on an extended trip, we’re often over our alcohol allowance, but if you declare it when asked, they usually just let you go. We have only had to pay duty on it once or twice.

[MCBx4]

Same here, we are going with a Fantasy RV Tour. Have a great trip!

[farmerhouse]

We’ve crossed into Canada three times. Only negative was an a-hole going to see Csnadian side of the Niagara Falls. He didn’t ask if I had any guns, he asked if I owned any. I said yes. He asked where they were. I said in my RV at the campground. He wanted to know why I had them. Self defense and range fire. He asked why I needed them. I said for the bad guys. He wanted to know if he needed to search my Ram pickup. I said ,”do you?” He kept looking at my passport. He said, “we don’t like guns in Canada.” I said, “I know.” After a few more ridiculous questions he finally let us go. That night we crossed again to go to dinner. Same guy. He recognized us and apologized for earlier. Said he had a real jerk earlier that put him in a bad mood. I thanked him for that and we were on our way.

[jaysigel]

It really depends on the mood of the border agent:

1) When we were living in northern NY (near the Canadian border), a bunch of us, including out of town relatives, climbed inside our motorhome and headed towards the Thousand Island Bridge that goes over the St. Lawrence in the summer. At the Canadian border crossing, the agent asked where we were from and where we were going. I told him that we were coming from Watertown and going to Kingston for dinner at a particular Chinese restaurant. He asked how many people and I said 11. Astonished, he went inside to see our family, all different ages. He asked if we were all American citizens and I said yes. We were allowed to proceed.
On the way back, when we drove up to the American crosspoint, I saw that the agent was a teacher (during the school year) who not only knew my wife, who was also a teacher, but he was my patient! I got asked the same questions with the same astonishment to 11 people and the same climb into the RV. He even asked if I was an American citizen. I suppose that they are required to ask the standard questions. I don't know if our interrogations are recorded.

2) Having escaped from NY, we were on our way to Alaska from west Texas via I-15 in Eastern Montana. There was a separate line for RVs at the Canadian border crossing. The sign said not to apply our parking brakes. Sitting in that line holding my foot on the brake pedal was getting tiresome. As I approached the gate, I saw that every coach was being pulled over for inspection. We had brought with us a lot of kosher meat to last the month-long vacation - and we won't find that in any Walmart or Canadian Tire store - so, we were worried. This time it was a female agent doing the interrogation. After showing our passports and responding to the usual questions, she asked me these standard questions:
"Do you have any firearms?"
"No, Ma'am."
"Any alcohol?"
"No, Ma'am. We don't drink."
"Any tobacco products?"
"We don't smoke."
Irrate, she yelled at me, "That's not what I asked you!"
"No, Ma'am. No tobacco."
"Go!" she yelled at me, gesturing with her hand.
I was unsure of where to go since all the RVs in front of me were getting inspected in an area ahead and on the left.
"Do I go straight ahead?"
Screaming louder, "Just go!" I went straight ahead into Canada.

[RaySue]

"Leave your guns at home son"

[bobfrommaine]

Went into border station in a major thunder storm. The guard asked if I had guns. Well, yah, I have a shotgun, I shipped all my handguns back home. He said "How many?". I showed him a picture of the guns and their s/n's and the package and the receipt. He asked about the shotgun. 12ga, only 00B and #2's. Showed him a pic of the shotgun with no folding stock (their rule). I did have many rounds of 45 and 22 ammo which was too heavy to ship, but he never asked. Gave me a permit for 30 days. I found them very friendly and did get him to admit that: "You're from Maine, in an RV. I presume you have/had guns. Good job sending them home. Don't forget to get a new permit when re-entering Canada from Alaska. Have a nice trip."
I've hunted in Canada - New Brunswick and Quebec, all with rifles and NO HANDGUNS! They have been sensitive to hunting knives, but never asked to see them. I truly do understand their feelings about handguns. Only mounties are allowed to have handguns in Canada and they are adament that no one else should. I do enjoy Canada, and my very limited French got me to survive in Quebec. They're more demanding that you speak French in Quebec. I've seen folks who lied or tried to bluff their way through and I've seen the guards go through EVERY compertment of RV's and campers. It's their country! They expect us to comply with their laws. US customs coming down from Canada was much more testy. Food and produce is prohibited coming INTO the US and you may get searched. Overall, they're polite, fair, and suspicious. Can't wait to go again.
Bob 17 Winnebago Adventurer, Jeep toad.

[Or-refugee]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

My wife and I have crossed the U.S./Canada border more times than I can count. Maybe 5 or 6 times by air, but mostly driving across at a number of border crossing points.

The things to remember…..
1. Remove any sunglasses. (Border officials have been trained to “read” your eyes.
2. Offer your passport even before they ask for it.
3. Answer all questions honestly, but more importantly, “LESS IS MORE” is the better exchange to any questions.

These 3 steps alone, have granted us speedy crossings each way since the 1970’s, so I must be doing something right.

You nailed it on every point. We have crossed every time with no issues. However coming back into the USA not always so easy. Been crossing since the 1960s.

[TexasAg77]

Still want to see a lot more of the US, but I imagine sometime we will want to travel north. So I find a link to a Canadian govt site with what you can and can't bring in.

I know I am old, but this seems confusing. Does None mean no restrictions or None allowed. They list allowable weights in the right column...

https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food...sonal-use#tab1

[MarieLanny]

So I’ve read that most meats, fruits and vegetables are not allowed! Does everyone just clean out your refrigerator before the Canadian border?