Crossing into Canada

[SRehberg]

We're getting ready to go up to B. C. Canada, and the last time I checked, we needed proof of identity (birth certs etc) and any shot records if we had a dog along. Also no beef products... . is this still in force? Is there anything else or does this about cover it? Regarding beef products, it sure would be nice to be able to bring some meat along, but I don't want to supply the customs agents if all they'll do is take it away. Thanks

 

[GFrance]

Yes it still applies & I wouldn't take any produce, fruit, dog food that has beef.

Maybe it's their way of getting you to spend your $$ there. We just go to Safeway & buy what we need for the time that we spend there. You don't want to try & bring anything back into the US either. I had to through out two perfectly good T-Bone steaks, couldn't even give them away. How stupid is that?

We will be going up on the 14th for N. W. Nationals but are going to stay state side.

Have a good trip

 

[SRehberg]

That's what I was afraid of, possibly a little pay back for our banning their beef awhile back. I would hate to pay $$$ lb. for steak, just to watch it hit the trash. Thanks for the help!

 

[Sherman]

I believe that Canadian beef is still banned in the US,I know that live cattle are still banned for sure.

 

[HBarlow]

SRehberg:



I crossed between the US and Canada numerous times during a trip to Alaska in May and June. Canadian customs officials were much friendlier than during previous visits. An RVing couple from Yukon Territory told me the friendlier attitude resulted from realization that US RV tourists were avoiding BC as much as possible because of the attitude of customs officials in BC.



Beef and produce were banned at border crossings in both directions. I carried a recent health inspection and vaccination certificate from the veterinarian for my female German Shepherd. It was requested and inspected several times without hassles.



I did not carry my birth certificate or passport and neither was requested. I presented my driver's license and retired military id card, both with photos, at each crossing. I also carried my voter registration card but never showed it. Customs officials were very pleasant at all crossings.



I am not certain but it appeared that US Customs has a database containing all US state vehicle registration records. My impression was that each time I approached a US Customs checkpoint the inspector first entered my truck's license plate number then compared the registration info on his or her screen to my identification. A mismatch would probably have raised eyebrows.



The rudest customs officials I encountered were at a very small US customs station in North Dakota. They searched my trailer. To see more of Canada on my route home from AK I detoured across Alberta and Saskatchewan and then turned south at Weyborn, SK to US 85 in ND. The last few miles of the highway in Canada was actually broken pavement and dirt requiring a speed of about 5 to 10 mph. The customs officials apparently wondered if I was a smuggler of some kind because I had taken a route that only farmers and farm trucks from the area normally used.



Harvey

 

[SRehberg]

Thanks for the information of the recent encounters with the crossings. Harvey, is it mandantory for a recent health inspection of a dog, have all of the vaccinations up to date for our dog, but didn't bother getting a visual done by the vet. I had read some months ago on the forum that most carried vaccination records, but were never asked for them. It sounds like the situation may have changed? We're suppose to leave bright and early Tuesday morning, so that could present a problem due to the holiday the day before.



The last time we crossed we went through the Peace Arch station in B. C. and things were not that much fun. The customs agents on the Canadian side decided to play a joke on one of their own. They had us pull over and the inspecting agent after going through our cabover camper with a fine tooth comb, asked where we were hiding the Uzi!! When we looked dumb-founded, she realized she had been had by the guys in the customs booths, and apologized for going through things like she did. The funny part was, we had a 12ga. pump SWAT-style shot gun lying on the overhead bed..... she never saw it until I pointed it out to her! They measured the barrel etc etc, and said all was fine, but I guess they too try to liven up their day some.

 

[HBarlow]

SRehberg:



I don't think the dog's health certificate was required. If I remember correctly only the current vaccination certificate was an actual stated requirement. I think my veterinarian just printed one out of her computer and signed it when I explained "Gertrude" and I were leaving for Alaska and she would need a current vaccination certificate.



You can probably find the detailed requirements on a US Customs website to make sure. I guess if you were asked for one and didn't have it you could make a u-turn and pay a quick visit to a vet in Washington State and have a health exam if that happened. It probably won't.



Harvey

 

[SRehberg]

Harvey, thanks for the help. I took your suggestion and even checked out the Canadian Customs site. I guess I should have thought of it sooner, but with CRS I have trouble that way.



The Canadian site stated just what you just posted, a valid rabies vaccination cert with dog description, etc etc. No health report required. While there on the site, I checked to see if there were any postings on beef restrictions. That's where I'm now confused. They mention no beef etc to be brought in, but one webpage on their site, states you can bring in up to 20kgs. per person, and also other meat products. Then you hit the update as well, and it says 5. 5kgs per person for personal use, whether fresh or frozen is o. k. Both listings were under the heading "update information". I fired off an e-mail to the customs people, so it will probably get back after we leave, but we think we'll just avoid meat products going over.



Possibly what the website states and what gets filtered down to the agents on the job could be two different things.

 

[JKinney]

My parents live in canada and cross the border weekly, There is a ban on chicken that comes from texas. Maryland chicken is ok.

 

[SRehberg]

JKinney

Does that mean beef is now o. k. ? Wonder why the ban on chicken from Texas but Maryland is o. k. I don't know whether to chance it now or not. I sure hate to waste the meat if they get paranoid all of a sudden. Has your parents tried bring beef into Canada or asked about beef coming across?

 

[JSooter]

I have found that getting into Canada isn't as big of a problem as getting back into the US. I had a US agent at Blane give me a hard time because I only had WA State drivers lic. He said, "how do I know this isn't fake"?... Yes sir, I gues syou are right...



So, now I take my passport. Makes it a lot easier

 

[Buffalo]

Hi! I went across at Detroit in July. They asked about beef, fresh vegetables and alcohol and weapons. I had none of the above except for a small amount of rum. They never checked. I brought all of the ID that I had but, the only thing they seemed to be interested in was a drivers license and my birth certificate. The same was true coming back. If you need Canadian money, try to do an exchange at the Amex at the border. You can get it at a bank, also, but the bank would give me $383/Can. for my $300/Amer. plus a $5 transasction fee. The Amex gave me $394 with no transaction fee. I didn't think groceries were that much more expensive but, alcohol was unbelievably high. I paid $14 for a 40 oz. Canadian Club for my cousin. At the liquor store in Ontario it was $48. A 1. 75 ltr. bottle of Bacardi rum is $16. 69 at Costco and $52 in Ontario. Also, if you smoke bring all your tobacco products from home. It seems like they have a "sin tax" on booze. I did have a wonderful time in Ontario, though. The border crossings seemed to be very business-like (no sense of humor), especially on the U. S. side. Respectfully answer their questions, with no small talk, and you shouldn't have any problems. Hope this helps. Joe.

 

[aaronisbad]

I was in B. C. two days before 911 happened. I had an absolute miserable time crossing the border. I learned one heck of a lesson. Always smile, act like an ignorant tourist that is in no hurry to get anywhere. My truck was searched coming and going. Apparently I had too much cash on me to go into Canada. This was my first time I had no clue lol. The Canadians took exception to my apparently cruddy mood (was headed to a friends funeral) I guess they thought I was up to no good. Heck, they interviewed me three different times by three different people. Eventually they took mercy on me and let me pass. I said yes sir and no sir to all their questions and tried to show as much respect as possible. I just thank God I made it back across before 911

 

[BStoecker]

I have found the best way to get local currency is to hit the ATM. You get a much better exchange rate than a currency exchange booth.

 

[GFritsch]

My wife and I are leaving for Canada in about 10 days. What are the firearm restrictions. Do I need to arrange a permit ahead of time. I feel tentative about camping in the back country without my shot gun. What are the restrictions on Alchohol?. We usually bring a case of our favorite wine with us on extended trips. Also what is the link to the official website in Canada for this info.



Thanks in advance for any info-

Greg

 

[SRehberg]

Thanks for all the great information, it will be a lot easier knowing what they are looking for. I know one of the times the agent (Canadian) kept watching my eyes closely for me to look away or something; maybe to see if I was lying or not. I treat those guys on both sides of the border with respect, they hold all the cards and can make a miserable day for you if they want.



Firearms; handguns as you know are a no-no. They allow "sporting" guns such as rifles and shotguns. A permit is required and if I remember right, it's about $50 U. S. It has to be obtained ahead of time if I remember correctly. I use to take a SWAT style shotgun with an 18" barrel, pistol grip stock, and they never gave me any hassle. They looked it over, asked me where I was going and why I believed I needed it. I always replied we did back woods type camping and it was nice to have a bear deterrent. Actually it's a two legged deterrent. The particulars can be obtained at the Canadain Customs website; alot of useful info there. This year I'm leaving the gun home, as I forgot to apply for the permit.



The website also spells out what items you can bring in or out and the quantities. Good luck and we'll probably be up there around the time you are.

 

[jelag]

I cross 2 to 3 times a month... . they are starting to frown if you don't have a passport... Nothing from the store that is fresh... ..... meat, fruit, veggies... etc...



I wouldn't suggest you try for a permit to take your shot gun..... you need several items to do that... and its not a FED issue there but down to the local govt... you can't move a long gun..... with out a permit... and the route you intend to take... leave the gun at home..... I have a concealed carry permit from WA and looked into hunting in Alberta... ... the BS was so long I decided not to... But I've fly fished in BC many times and can now purchase a licence to fish on line... 2 liters of Alchohol... . etc... .



If you have a DUI and they ask you about it... you say no..... and later they run your licence and its on your record..... its a trip to jail... They are very serious about this... I have to people who work for me that have DUI's that are over 30 years old but still are on their driving record from 30 years ago... . I think the fee for each was about 150 Can for a permit to cross... .



We are getting very hard on their people who cross into the US... and we're starting to profile them based on their nationality... I'm talking about those who have moved to Canada over the past 20 years and are not white background..... There is lots of east india, muslims there... . I often sit in like for several hours with a commerical load and watch what goes one... . More than once I've seen our guys pull their guns where I-5 truck crossing is..... waiting in line... we're asking them to be as tough as we are... ... so be prepared... ...

 

[agkrueger]

A friend of mine can vouch for the hand gun no no. He knew about the law but forgot about a little . 22 cal under his seat. Instant trip to jail, nice fine and you dont get your gun back. He said it was a rather unpleasant vacation.

 

[anomad]

I love Canada, but its kind of a PITA to travel though. I am getting ready to drive out to MT today after work.



I can't imagine what they would do to you if you had a gun! A lot of guys used to go to Whitehorse from here for skeet and trap competitions but the gun laws are so out of control there now no one will put up with the hassle. Personally I wouldn't even try taking a flare gun across the border.



A passport makes crossing easy. Last trip I bought some fruit in Calgary and the US guys had to toss it all. I ate as much as I could stuff down while the dog was checking out my rig, the guys were really cool about everything, I hate wasting food. Better to just hit a grocery store after you cross the border.

 

[RRFinch]

Your drivers license will suffice for id. You will need a certificate signed your vet that the dog has current rabies shot.

Don't know about the beef.

Worse is, NO fire arms.