US - Canadian Border Regulations

In my travels on the web, I have found relatively little information about regulations regarding border crossing between the United States and Canada. To alleviate that problem, I have gathered some information here on this subject. What I've gathered thus far applies mostly to United States residents travelling by car. With some help from Canadian travellers, I may soon be putting up a page for you on what to do when crossing the Canada-US border.

[Entering Canada]  ...  [Returning from Canada]

Identification

United States Passports are now required for entry into Canada. As of 1 January 2007, you wll now need to present a valid Passport to Customs when entering Canada, and returning to the United States by air. You won't need one for overland crossing until 2008.

Short answers are your friend. Don't elaborate. Don't hesitate. They'll ask you where in Canada you're going and for how long. They may ask the purpose of your trip.

You may be asked if you've been before a judge. What they're looking for here is felony convictions, DUI charges, and other major crimes, which will probably keep you from crossing the border. Minor traffic violations [speeding, parking, tailgating, etc] won't. If you have been convicted of a serious crime, regardless of how long ago it was, you'll need to fill out an application from Canadian Customs or a Canadian Consulate detailing such things as the crime, itself, your employment history, and proof that you attended rehab or soemthing equivalent. Your mileage may vary; they may ask for more information. The processing fee for this form is $150.

Alot of readers have been asking details about this form; where to obtain it, how much the fee really is, what convictions it will pardon. This information has been difficult to come by. Of course, I've put up this webpage as a one-stop source of information about passing through Canada Customs and back through US Customs, but there is, inevitably, some information that I may not have here. Regarding getting into Canada after being convicted of a crime, contact Canada Immigration or your nearest Canadian Consulate. The United States State Dept website does state that "Section 19 of Canada's Immigration Act prohibits the admission of people who pose a threat to public health, safety, order, and national security. Prior to attempting a border crossing, American citizens who have had a criminal conviction in the past must contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate well in advance to determine their admissibility as visitors into Canada. If found inadmissible, an immigration officer will advise whether a waiver (Minister's Permit) is possible."

A new question that a reader has brought to my attention that you may be asked at some border crossings is if someone has given you a package to bring into Canada for them. This is the same question airlines have been asking at the check-in counter for a few years now [but have since ceased asking this]. If you answer 'yes', they're going to want to see it. No word if they're still asking this at the border. Just like at the airport, be prepared to unwrap any gift wrapped presents you have with you.

Recently, I've been getting asked how old one needs to be to cross the border on their own. You need to be at least 18 years of age to cross without consent from a parent[s] or legal guardian. If you are under that age, the legal adult that you are traveling with must have a signed letter of consent from your parents or legal guardian stating who the child is traveling with, how long they will be there, where they are going, etc. Customs on both sides of the border will ask for this letter. Customs may want to contact the parent back home as well.

Car Search

Car searches are no longer as much of a certainty as they were in the aftermath of 9/11. Anecdotal evidence suggests its more or less back to the routine of picking out every Nth car. If someone searches your car, you will be asked to stand nearby, but far enough away from the car itself. The officer who searches your car will likely be a shadetree auto mechanic; they know more crevasses in your car than you do. Cleaning the inside of your car beforehand is definitely recommended. The same thing applies to Canadian residents visiting the United States.

Contraband and Whatnot

Here's what you are allowed to bring in with you duty-free [no extra charge]:

• 200 cigarettes
• 50 cigars
• 7 ounces of tobacco
• 1.1 liters of wine or liquor [21 or over]
• 24 12-ounce bottles of beer [21 or over]
• Gifts valued at no more than $60 CDN

Plants, bulbs, and seeds must be declared at the border. With some restrictions, fruits and vegetables are allowed in for personal consumption, provided you are not bringing in a crate of oranges for a 24 hour stay.

Dogs and cats may be brought in provided that you have documentation from your licensed veterinarian accurately describing your animal and that it has had rabies vaccination in the past 36 months. Collar tags alone don't count. This same documentation must also be provided when returning through US Customs. Seeing eye dogs are allowed in without problems.

Weapons

I want to preface the next couple of paragraphs by saying that information about weapons allowances since 11 September has been a little hard to come by. If you have a request for specific information, please be patient. If you actually have first-hand information, e.g. you yourself have brought a firearm into Canada through legal channels since the terrorist attacks, and it differs from what is stated below, please let me know.

Handguns, semi-automatic and automatic weapons are prohibited in Canada. Silencers are also banned as well as any knife that opens by spring action. Hunting and sporting guns are allowed in provided they are going to be used for sport, or for competition. You may need to provide proof of this, such as a permit from a Canadian firearms registrar. Hunters are permitted 200 rounds of ammunition before fees are imposed, and competitors are allowed 1500 rounds. All weapons MUST be declared at the border. Failure to do so will result in confiscation of the weapon and criminal charges being brought up. A Firearms Declaration can be bought for $50 and will be good for one year.

I did get information from one reader from Massachusetts who send in the following:

If you are taking hunting guns to Canada, be CERTAIN that you fill out the US Customs form 4457 with description of gun (cameras, Etc.)& serial numbers and present to US guys before leaving US (so they will have record that you took them out & didn't purchase in Canada). Also have a Canadian Firearms Declaration all filled out when entering Canada to save time & this will serve as your gun license while hunting & to buy ammo if needed. Present these forms to Customs when returning & it will be a breeze. If you take Migratory birds back to US, make sure you fill out a USF&W declaration & that the birds are tagged & have a wing on or they will be confiscated.

Other banned weapons include: mace, Nunchaku sticks, brass knuckles, belt-buckle knives, blowguns, stun guns, trigger enhancing devices, finger rings with blades, and spiked wristbands and collars.

If you feel that you were treated unfairly, note the officer's badge number and name, and ask to see the supervisor. If this doesn't get you anywhere, write a letter of complaint to the port director at that particular point of entry. This also applies to US Customs when re-entering the States. Remember to be polite.

While in Canada

Currency

For the latest exact exchange rates, go to http://www.oanda.com [opens in new window]. The best place to get this rate is at a community bank within an hour or two of the border. The actual price of goods is about the same in Canada as the US. The main difference maker is the sales tax, which is often much higher than in the US [I'll explain further down this page how you can get the sales taxes refunded]. You can bring in any amount of money you can afford, but anything over $10,000 must be reported to US Customs.

You CAN use American dollars at tourist locations in Canada [National Parks, gift shops, most hotels and restaurants, etc] and many service-oriented businesses near the border [fast food, convenience stores, etc]. However, you'll get a little bit more mileage from Canadian money because businesses often establish their own exchange rates. Often, these exchange rates aren't as good as those offered by financial institutions. Look for a sign posted near the cash register saying US CURRENCY xx%.

Road Rules

Passenger cars entering Canada for touring purposes have few restrictions. Storage of cars or trailers requires permits, obtainable at border crossings. Otherwise, there are import duties to pay.

As with driving in the US, vehicle registration is required at all times. If you are not driving a car registered in your own name, written permission from the rightful owner is required. And if a car is rented, a copy of the agreement is required.

Insurance is mandatory. Minimum liability is $200,000 [!!!], except in Quebec, where it is $50,000. You can obtain a Canadian Non-Resident Inter-Provincial Motor Vehicle Insurance Liability Card free from your insurance company.

Speed limits are enforced variably throughout Canada. Remember that speed limits are posted in Metric. Generally, the limits are the same as they are in the US; divided limited access highways are 90-100 kph [56-62 mph], city streets are around 31 mph. Radar detectors are highly illegal in all but Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia, even if you're not using them.

Several provinces require that you use your headlights 90 minutes before sunset and 90 minutes after sunrise. Alberta, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and British Columbia require headlights when visibility is down to 500 feet. In Manitoba, its 200 feet. It is advised, but not required, to turn on your headlights anytime in other places.

Seat belts are required everywhere in Canada.

As an interesting sidenote; drivers from New York, Maine, and Ontario should be especially careful in Quebec. Traffic violations go on record back home!

Goods and Services Tax

For most things sold in Canada, there is a 7% Goods and Service Tax, or GST, applied. This tax goes on hotel bills, compact discs, and many other things. Non-Canadians, however, can get this refunded after returning home. Keep track of all of your purchases and keep ALL receipts. If the business's name and address is not printed on the receipt, politely ask them to write it on there. There is a minimum of $14 that you can claim. Receipts must total $200 CND and each receipt must be at least $50. The GST is not refundable for a few things like restaurant bills, tobacco, alcohol, gasoline, car rentals, hairdressing, air, train, or bus tickets, and camping fees, nor is it refundable for hotel stays of more than 30 days. Manitoba allows you to claim provincial tax refund.

To claim this refund, have everything that you're exporting, along with corresponding receipts, ready for validation. Each receipt must have purchases totalling $50CDN before taxes. You may also be asked to show proof that you are a non-citizen, and that you are actually leaving Canada [vehicle license number]. You can do this at participating duty-free shops located near many major border crossings, or at a Customs Canada office. I'd recommend going through Customs Canada; private agencies may charge a fee for you to get your refund. If you're pressed for time, you can send it in the mail.

For more information on claiming GST, go to Customs Canada Tax Refund Information Page [opens in new window].

Car Search

In the aftermath of 9/11, car searches were standard operating procedure. Its a little more relaxed now, but one should never assume they would never be searched. Most of the crossings I've been through on the Vermont/Quebec line have enclosed garages that you pull into. This not only deters gawkers, but also provides a warm shelter while the car search is performed. US Customs will be just as thorough as the Canadians in searching your car, if not moreso. Figure about 30 to 60 minutes additional time for this in your travel plans [time will vary depending on the crossing, and the time of day].

Customs officers are NOT required to have a search warrant or probable cause to search your vehicle or person. Courts have routinely upheld this search, seizure and arrest.

If, however, you still feel you were treated unfairly or inappropriately, ask to speak with the suervisor or a Passenger Service Representative [if one is present]. If you have left the facility, you can still contact the US Customs Service.

More Contraband and Whatnot

When you get to US Customs, you must declare everything you've purchased. If you've been in Canada for more than 48 hours, you are allowed to bring back $400 worth of goods duty-free once every 30 days. You do have the option of shipping gifts home. $200 worth of gifts can be shipped duty-free, one package per day per addressee. Label the package PERSONAL USE. Such packages won't count towards your $400 allowance at the border.

If you stayed less than 48 hours, you can bring back items totalling $200 in value before a duty is imposed. You'll also be limited to 10 cigars, 100 cigarettes, or 4 ounces of alcoholic beverage. Cuban cigars, by the way, are prohibited. If you're caught, its more than just simple confiscation; it could be a steep fine.

Information compiled from personal experience, readers such as yourself, US Customs, Canada Customs, AAA, Fodor's, and Frommer's. To contribute additional information I may have omitted, send material to djdeadparrot :at: yahoo.com.