- Entering Canada
- Customs Restrictions for Visitors to Canada
- Returning to the United States
- What You Need to Bring
Tips for Crossing the Canada / USA Border
The Canada / USA border is reputed to be the friendliest border in the world. Below are a few guidelines to help make your crossing as quick and easy as possible. With the current increase in security concerns it still generally takes less than 1/2 hour to cross the border. It is possible however to meet with longer border crossing delays, especially at peak crossing times. For current border crossing times follow this link:
Identification
United States citizens and legal residents of the United States do not need passports or visas to enter Canada as visitors. If do you have a valid passport we recommend bringing it since it will help facilitate crossing the border both into Canada and returning to the United States.
When crossing the border you may be asked to show proof of citizenship such as birth,voter's, naturalization certificate or passport. If the identification does not have a picture ID you may be asked to provide this as well. A drivers license is generally sufficient for picture ID but is not proof of citizenship by itself. Photocopies of any identification are not acceptable and may initiate more thorough investigation.
Children
Canada Customs and Immigration officers and United States Customs officers are members of or affiliated with Child Find Canada, Child Find of America, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children. You may be asked to produce birth certificates. Anyone traveling with children not their own may be required to show written permission from the child's parent(s) and proper identification (birth certificate).
Other Countries
Visitors from countries other than the USA require a valid passport and in some cases a visitor's visa. Visas are issued by Canadian Immigration offices, embassies and consulates.
CUSTOMS RESTRICTIONS FOR VISITORS TO CANADA
Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Products
For short-term visitors to Canada, the following restrictions apply per person:
- 1.14 liters (40 oz.) of liquor or wine, or 24 x 355ml (12 oz.) bottles or cans of beer or ale (8.5 liters)
- 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or cigarillos or 400 grams of manufactured tobacco or 400 tobacco sticks
Weapons
Firearms are strictly controlled and many are not permitted in Canada. Handguns and assault weapons are strictly prohibited. U.S. law enforcement personnel and other persons legally carrying a firearms may check their firearms with Canada Customs and Immigration at their point of entry into Canada and the firearms will be returned to them when they leave Canada at the same border point or at another prearranged border point at their discretion.
Please read the "Bringing Firearms into Canada" section for more information.
RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES
Immigration
To re-enter the United States, returning U.S. citizens need to show the Bureau of Citizenship and Naturalization Services or the Department of Homeland Security officer proof of identity and citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate, or certificate of naturalization (for citizenship) and photo identification (such as a driver's license) for identity. A U.S. passport is proof of both citizenship and identity. Persons who are dual nationals should enter using U.S. documents only, as they could be fined under U.S. law for entering the U.S. on a foreign passport.
U.S. Customs
Articles acquired abroad and brought back with you into the United States are subject to duty and internal revenue tax. As a returning U.S. resident, you are allowed to bring back $400 worth of merchandise duty free. However, you must have been outside the U.S. for at least 48 hours, and you must not have used this exemption within the preceding 30-day period. The next $1,000 worth of items you bring back with you for personal use or gifts are dutiable at a flat 10 percent rate. Any dollar amount of an article or articles over $1000 is subject to variable duties.
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Guests are responsible for:
- all bedding and towels
- personal care items (shampoo, soap, toilet paper, etc).
- groceries and beverages (housekeeping plan)
- all hunting and fishing equipment, licences, export permits
- coast guard approved life vests (if boating)
- recreational equipment and vehicles (ATVs, snowmobiles, bicycles, snowshoes, skiis, etc) along with all safety equipment, driver's licence and insurance
