Crossing the US/Canadian Border

[BC Disney Lover]

That is what I was looking for!! We are packing food for our drive down and I needed to know what food I can take. I think we'll probably stop at a grocery store once we cross the border and pick up a few things. Thank you!!

Another thing you may want to consider before crossing, is what electronics you're bringing across. You can get a form at the border that you make a list of serial numbers from cameras, video games, ipods..... Then it's documented so that on your way back into Canada they don't assume you bought it on your trip and make you pay duty. The older stuff we don't worry about but newer stuff we document.

One note -- around Easter time in Canada they sell these eggs that are chocolate with little toys inside the eggs (can't remember the name); those are not approved by the FDA and the USBA could ask if you have them if you cross around/after Easter and then confiscate it.

Kinder eggs

 

[Littleprincess2010]

Another thing you may want to consider before crossing, is what electronics you're bringing across. You can get a form at the border that you make a list of serial numbers from cameras, video games, ipods..... Then it's documented so that on your way back into Canada they don't assume you bought it on your trip and make you pay duty. The older stuff we don't worry about but newer stuff we document.

I didn't even think about this!! I'll go to the website and see if I can find the form, do you know what its called by any chance?

 

[BC Disney Lover]

It's a green form that you fill out there because they check the serial numbers and stamp it.

 

[NewbieMouse]

One note -- around Easter time in Canada they sell these eggs that are chocolate with little toys inside the eggs (can't remember the name); those are not approved by the FDA and the USBA could ask if you have them if you cross around/after Easter and then confiscate it.

Kinder eggs are sold year round, not just at Easter.

 

[Rachael Q]

It's called form Y38 documentation of goods for temporary exportation.

I don't think the form is online. But you can do it in advance, if you are near a CBSA office, it doesn't have to be done the day you leave. Also there is no expiry date so as long as your electronics don't change, you can use it for multiple trips.

We have only ever used the form once, back in 1998. Since then we have traveled with a variety of ipods, laptops, dvd players, DSLR camera and assorted lenses, iPads and only once were we asked about something. So we don't bother about it anymore.

But if you are concerned about it, then get the form, it's free and doesn't take too much time.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-6-5-eng.pdf

 

[smiley_face2]

You CAN bring fruit...I always bring it. They ask me if I have any food, I always say yes and tell them what...and never had a problem. Check the rules, I think you can't bring back citrus fruit? Maybe post this on the Canadian board and people will know for sure.

You CAN bring fruit back into Canada from the US, but absolutely NOT bring any fruit that has not been grown in Canada into the US. They are especially worried about citrus fruits because a virus carried down there could devastate their citrus industry. On the border website it says things like apples have to have the sticker of origin on every piece of fruit showing it was grown in Canada. We always pack a cooler of food with us for the drive down, and actually yes meat is allowed, in the form of jerkey! lol...even the wild game jerky we made ourselves from venison!! basically the stuff we take down there is packaged from the store though, and stick with just apples, then make a stop at at a store in Oregon for other things like oranges and bananas etc. You can not bring any type of plants or seeds across the border without a certificate in either direction! and things like firearms require special preapproval...
here's a link to the US Customs border protection website with the specific question answered about food....the rules for Canada are near the bottom. I keep it bookmarked because it does change, so I check it each time we go!

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82

 

[smiley_face2]

Oh and yes, we do what several others do, just keep all the reciepts in an envelope or ziploc bag together and totaled, then if you do get asked to show them at the border coming home it's not a big deal!
and you will drive through a checkpoint when you cross the border into California from Oregon, they just ask you if you have any fruit...I"ve never thought to ask does this include fruit you buy in Oregon?

 

[disneymum58]

Shopping in Montana is fun. No tax at all on what you buy! They also stopped us and asked if we had any citrus with us when we entered California.

 

[AquaDame]

I've crossed the border tons of times (always Washington to BC though) and never had an issue with them asking me what I bought. We've just said souvenirs and that's the end of it. As has been said, no weapons, drugs, or fibbing. The worst that will happen is they will ask you to toss your offending piece of fruit. If they find something after they ASKED and you neglected to mention it though then they may want to search you. We have certainly forgot things and never been searched though *knock on wood*.

One thing I wanted to mention was that the last couple of times they have taken to asking EXACTLY where we were staying, and we very grumpy when we did not have a print out stating that we were indeed staying at a given hotel. The second time we were staying with relatives so I was very worried they were going to make a big deal about it but it was fine. I would keep all that paperwork close to you in case they ask for it.

 

[smiley_face2]

Oh, and don't try to pump your own gas in Oregon!! don't know why, but you're not allowed! there's no sales tax in Oregon either! on anything!!

 

[AquaDame]

Oh, and don't try to pump your own gas in Oregon!! don't know why, but you're not allowed! there's no sales tax in Oregon either! on anything!!

We make up for it in horrendous property taxes.. enjoy!

You cant pump your own gas because that would take away jobs. If there are two ways to NEVER win an election here it is to suggest a sales tax and suggest self serve gas stations. It sucks, because you have to wait to be helped and if they are busy they may keep overlooking you for more angry looking people. I even had one snap at me for not saying please when asking for gas once... I think it is the first time I hadn't because I was so agitated at waiting 10 minutes for service when I generally use a Pacific Pride station (self serve but you can only use it if you have a company gas card that is covered by them). I wish we could pump our own!!

 

[Think I'm Tink]

Things I've personally been asked about when crossing from Canada to US on vacation

1. passport. That one's a given. Children under 16 can get away with a birth certificate, but get the passport -- it's cheaper for kids and it never hurts to have a passport anyway in this day and age.
2. address of where I'm staying so have it written down somewhere handy (hotel or private residence)
3. occupation (they want to know if you have "ties" to return to so that you won't overstay your welcome)
4. how much cash I have with me
5. have I ever been fingerprinted (for some reason they ask this one a lot at Pembina crossing)
6. Purpose of trip (I've found it best to just say vacation, rather than I'm visiting friends/relatives. After all, it is still a vacation, right?)
7. is this your vehicle
8. do you know everybody in the vehicle; they might ask the kids who is their mommy and daddy (have permission form from your spouse or legal custody papers if kids are traveling with only one parent)
9. are you bringing gifts for anybody (border guard language for are you smuggling drugs, but there is a $ limit on the value of actual gifts you can bring)
10. have I ever had trouble crossing the border before
11. how long will you be in the USA
12. are you bringing food (bring prepackaged food and you won't have any problems at all)

If you have prescription drugs, bring them in their bottle from the pharmacy with the label on it. Don't put them in one of those little daily or weekly carrying cases.

Returning to Canada:

1. Is this your vehicle?
2. Have you had any repairs made to the vehicle? (so if you had to get a new tire or fuel pump or anything, declare it. And don't forget that it's part of your duty-free allowance)
3. value of goods coming back with you
4. do you have fireworks, firearms, alcohol or tobacco? (know the limits for alcohol and smokes because tax and duty on this is steep -- 31% on alcohol. But you still came out $ ahead of what you'd have paid if you bought them here. And don't even bother stopping for fireworks at any of those "Super Joe's Discount Fireworks" places!)
5. how long were you gone? (and it's best if you know the exact moment you were admitted into the States because I actually had a CBSA agent ask me that last week)
6. did you receive or leave gifts (again with the drug smuggling, although again there are limits on what legal gifts you can bring or leave)
7. where do you live?

I keep all my receipts in an envelope, including hotel receipts. I've never been asked to produce them, but I have them just in case. You may have to prove you were in the USA for as long as you say you were. I also circle everything that is made in Canada, USA or Mexico so that I can know at a glance if they are NAFTA if I have gone over my duty-free allowance and have to pay duty. NAFTA products are supposed to be exempt.

Do not offer any info more than what they directly ask you. Something you may think is a silly joke or just small-talk may hit them weird and next thing you know you are being searched. And be prepared for the guards on either side of the border to just ask you to lift the rear gate/hatch back/trunk or open the side doors for a very brief visual inspection.

And whoever suggested filling out that form for electronics is right - it's not a bad idea especially if you have newer electronics with you. Or at the very least bring the receipts with you. Same with expensive jewelry too. Basically it's your responsibility to prove that you didn't buy something in the USA, it's not their responsibility to take your word for it. They can charge you duty/taxes on your own Canadian-bought stuff if they don't believe you.

Most importantly, relax, be polite and tell the truth. Nervous people raise flags and they are trained in body language to detect liars. It's not the end of the world if you go over your limit and have to pay duty. Most things are pretty reasonable. And if you do happen to have an orange or something and you aren't supposed to, they'll just ask you to throw it out, they won't send you to jail.

 

[LavenderPeach]

That is what I was looking for!! We are packing food for our drive down and I needed to know what food I can take. I think we'll probably stop at a grocery store once we cross the border and pick up a few things. Thank you!!

Also, fyi, when you cross the border into California you might not be able to bring fruit (or maybe it's just certain types of fruit). I actually haven't been out of California for a few years but I'm assuming they still have restrictions on fruit.

 

[BELLEDOZER]

Good point LavenderPeach, as you reach the Oregon/California border on the I-5 there is a toll area, that the person will ask you if you are bringing any fruit into CA, so it's better if you don't buy any fruit that you can't consume before you hit the CA border. They don't have a problem if you leave with their fruit, they just don't want you bringing it into their state for fears of bringing alien fruit bugs that can damage their crops. Just feel sorry for the poor guy at the booth who sits there all day waiting to confescate someone fruit as they cross the border.

 

[endy]

If you have necessary repairs to your vehicle that doesn't always count towards your limit. If you break down and need the repair to get home I don't believe they include it.
I had a $2000 bill in San Diego this summer and wouldn't you know it they didn't even ask on my home if I'd had any repairs done.

 

[Littleprincess2010]

If you have necessary repairs to your vehicle that doesn't always count towards your limit. If you break down and need the repair to get home I don't believe they include it.
I had a $2000 bill in San Diego this summer and wouldn't you know it they didn't even ask on my home if I'd had any repairs done.

We're going to have an oil change done while we are down there, is that something I would need to claim?

 

[glendalais]

We're going to have an oil change done while we are down there, is that something I would need to claim?

I don't think so. However, I would just keep in mind the value of the oil placed in your car if they ask.

1. passport. That one's a given. Children under 16 can get away with a birth certificate, but get the passport -- it's cheaper for kids and it never hurts to have a passport anyway in this day and age.

Just to add to this point.

If you are driving across the U.S.-Canada border, you can also present a Enhanced Driver's Licence or Enhanced Identification Card (also referred to in English as a "Driver's Licence Plus" in Quebec) in lieu of a Passport.

In Canada, the following provinces issue such Enhanced documents. Contact the respective authority for application requirements:

• British Columbia: Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
• Manitoba: Manitoba Public Insurance
• Ontario: ServiceOntario
• Quebec: Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec

 

[smiley_face2]

Lot's of good advice here! We looked into the enhanced drivers license, but they are expensive, are only good for driving to the US, and useless if you want to fly anywhere at all, so we went with the passports.

 

[Mrs. M. Mouse]

Thank you for that information! From what I understand, I don't have to pay GSt on anything unless it goes over the $750, right? I will be in the States for about 10 days.

Not sure what there are for restrictions for what you can bring down. I am just going to buy advil (just in case of headaches or whatever) down there so there is nothing to worry about.

Your restrictions are no fire arms, fruit or vegetables to cross over or back. they will ask you. with the length of time you are going for you have a pretty high spending limit. we were gone for 18 days this summer and spent nearly 1000.00 we had no problem crossing over, paid no duty at all.

They ask you how long you're going for and if you have any fire arms or fruits and veg. also if you've got $10,000 in the vehicle with you. bring your passports and if you are travelling with only one parent a letter giving consent to travel from the other parent is needed. otherwise have a great time!

 

[smiley_face2]

Your restrictions are no fire arms, fruit or vegetables to cross over or back. they will ask you. with the length of time you are going for you have a pretty high spending limit. we were gone for 18 days this summer and spent nearly 1000.00 we had no problem crossing over, paid no duty at all.

They ask you how long you're going for and if you have any fire arms or fruits and veg. also if you've got $10,000 in the vehicle with you. bring your passports and if you are travelling with only one parent a letter giving consent to travel from the other parent is needed. otherwise have a great time!

Like I said in a previous post, you are allowed to bring some fruit and vegies except for potatoes to the US, as per the restrictions on the US Border Patrol website https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82 it does have to be grown in Canada and have stickers on each piece of fruit showing that it was grown in Canada, as it says in the information when you go to the website.... https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/82
Quote from the website:

"Fruits and vegetables grown in Canada are generally admissible, if they have labels identifying them as products of Canada. Fruits and vegetables merely purchased in Canada are not necessarily admissible, ie: citrus or tropical fruits such as mangos, which clearly were not grown in Canada because it does not have a climate that supports those crops. (Potatoes from western regions of Canada are currently restricted because of a disease outbreak. While commercial imports are permitted under stringent guidelines, travelers from Canada should avoid bringing raw potatoes with them into the US)."
There is a lot of information here, you have to read down a bit for the parts pertinent to Canada.....
You do have to declare them at the border when asked, and have them ready to show for inspection if they choose to inspect them. We have been packing our own food down on our trips for the last 20 years we've been going there, and we have always declared what we have, which always includes fresh apples, and our own home made game or beef jerkey. We have never been inspected, and last trip I stupidly brought a couple of bananas!! he said, just eat them up right away and put the peels in the garbage can at a pull out.
and from the Canadian border website about bringing food items back into Canada, also something we have always declared and never had a problem with or even been inspected.

here is the Canadian site, it's a different sort of site, it asks you a series of questions, like what the item is, where it comes from, where it's going, whether it's for commercial or personal use etc.
http://airs-sari.inspection.gc.ca/Airs_External/Decisions.aspx?lang=1

sorry it won't let me copy and paste, but when I input bringing back oranges from California to BC, for personal use, it says approved. then if you read furthere you will find you are allowed up to 250KG (that's a little over 500 pounds!) anyway.... the thing is, once you declare it, even though we never have been, it is subject to inspection which will slow down your travel. We always bring oranges back from California, and take the chance on the delay for inspection. Even though we can get them here in the store so fresh the odd leaf is still green....there's just something about having a fresh orange for breakfast you brought back from a roadside stand in California yourself!