Canada Customs Made Easy
Some years back we were headed back to Alaska from my sister's house in Wisconsin. We chose to enter Canada at an out-of-the-way crossing in central North Dakota. For the first time ever, we were directed to the side of the road and our entire rig was searched. Turns out we had picked a crossing that drug smugglers were apparently using, and every vehicle crossing that day was being searched from stem to stern. My wife's bumper sticker on the trailer, "Ask for Alaskan Grown" probably didn't help matters, either. Our home is in the only part of Alaska with farms, and our neighbors were promoting their products. Unfortunately, as any customs officer will tell you, "Alaskan Grown" has a certain status in marijuana-smoking circles, too. Needless to say, the bumper sticker disappeared within seconds.
Actually, though, the two fellows doing the search were quite good-natured about it, and we bantered back and forth as they went about their duties. Then the one in the camper opened the oven door. My wife, who firmly believes in the value of squirt guns at her family reunion--which we had attended a few days previously--had stored them in a large bowl in the oven. And wouldn't you know that the one on top looked an awfully lot like a real pistol at first glance. First the officer said, "Oh-oh," then there was a pause as he reached inside followed by a hearty laugh. He then decided to play a little joke on his partner and told me to call the other fellow over. I then endeared myself to my wife by saying, "Hey Jennifer, this guy found your guns," at which point the other guy came from the back of the trailer at a dead run. Within seconds we were all holding our sides because we were laughing so hard.
Since we had nothing illegal on board, we were on our way after about half-an-hour. In those days, all a U.S. resident needed to enter Canada was some sort of photo identification, normally a driver's license. However, on September 11, 2001, nineteen Islamic terrorists changed that forever. As a minimum this year you will need either a current passport or a combination of a birth certificate and photo ID to enter Canada and reenter the United States. Starting early next year (2008), you will need a passport, no exceptions. And if you don't yet have a passport, get down to the post office and apply for it today. Because so many people who regularly travel to Canada--and to Mexico and various Caribbean destinations--have recently applied for passports, the issuing offices are terribly backed up and it will likely take you several months from application to receipt of your passport, even if you pay extra for rapid processing.
The other things most likely to get people in trouble at border crossings are guns, tobacco, liquor and pets. As for guns, the best advice is to leave them at home. Handguns are absolutely forbidden and will get you jailed instantly if found in your possession. Certain long guns are legal to carry, but only after a bunch of paperwork and cash necessary for a permit.
For liquor, think in terms of one. Each adult can bring one case of beer, one bottle of hard liquor and one bottle of wine into Canada. Anymore than that and you will be subject to paying duty. And, if you're a beer drinker, why bother. Bringing U.S.-brewed beer into Canada is like bringing a sandwich to a banquet. The Canadians have a number of great beers.
If you're a smoker, a carton of cigarettes is the limit along with similar restrictions on cigars, pipe tobacco and chew. And, if you're a cigarette smoker like I once was, be sure and bring your own up to the limit. Canadian cigarettes are made for tougher lungs than mine and are also priced astronomically.
Pets are are welcome in Canada so long as Fluffy or Fido has a health certificate from a veterinarian indicating that all inoculations are up to date and that your pet is healthy. Get that certificate within 10 days of entering Canada. And, if you stay in Alaska too long, you're probably money ahead to check with an Alaska vet for a certificate before you head south again, so carry the necessary medical records for your pet in your rig.
In my book, "The Alaska Highway: An Insider's Guide," available at http://www.rvbookstore.com/, I devote several pages to getting yourself through customs.
Actually, though, the two fellows doing the search were quite good-natured about it, and we bantered back and forth as they went about their duties. Then the one in the camper opened the oven door. My wife, who firmly believes in the value of squirt guns at her family reunion--which we had attended a few days previously--had stored them in a large bowl in the oven. And wouldn't you know that the one on top looked an awfully lot like a real pistol at first glance. First the officer said, "Oh-oh," then there was a pause as he reached inside followed by a hearty laugh. He then decided to play a little joke on his partner and told me to call the other fellow over. I then endeared myself to my wife by saying, "Hey Jennifer, this guy found your guns," at which point the other guy came from the back of the trailer at a dead run. Within seconds we were all holding our sides because we were laughing so hard.
Since we had nothing illegal on board, we were on our way after about half-an-hour. In those days, all a U.S. resident needed to enter Canada was some sort of photo identification, normally a driver's license. However, on September 11, 2001, nineteen Islamic terrorists changed that forever. As a minimum this year you will need either a current passport or a combination of a birth certificate and photo ID to enter Canada and reenter the United States. Starting early next year (2008), you will need a passport, no exceptions. And if you don't yet have a passport, get down to the post office and apply for it today. Because so many people who regularly travel to Canada--and to Mexico and various Caribbean destinations--have recently applied for passports, the issuing offices are terribly backed up and it will likely take you several months from application to receipt of your passport, even if you pay extra for rapid processing.
The other things most likely to get people in trouble at border crossings are guns, tobacco, liquor and pets. As for guns, the best advice is to leave them at home. Handguns are absolutely forbidden and will get you jailed instantly if found in your possession. Certain long guns are legal to carry, but only after a bunch of paperwork and cash necessary for a permit.
For liquor, think in terms of one. Each adult can bring one case of beer, one bottle of hard liquor and one bottle of wine into Canada. Anymore than that and you will be subject to paying duty. And, if you're a beer drinker, why bother. Bringing U.S.-brewed beer into Canada is like bringing a sandwich to a banquet. The Canadians have a number of great beers.
If you're a smoker, a carton of cigarettes is the limit along with similar restrictions on cigars, pipe tobacco and chew. And, if you're a cigarette smoker like I once was, be sure and bring your own up to the limit. Canadian cigarettes are made for tougher lungs than mine and are also priced astronomically.
Pets are are welcome in Canada so long as Fluffy or Fido has a health certificate from a veterinarian indicating that all inoculations are up to date and that your pet is healthy. Get that certificate within 10 days of entering Canada. And, if you stay in Alaska too long, you're probably money ahead to check with an Alaska vet for a certificate before you head south again, so carry the necessary medical records for your pet in your rig.
In my book, "The Alaska Highway: An Insider's Guide," available at http://www.rvbookstore.com/, I devote several pages to getting yourself through customs.
Labels: Customs
posted by Ron Dalby at
3/14/2007 02:44:00 PM
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