Moving across Canada...Border questions

[ChisJo]

Hey everyone....we're moving from Alberta to Ontario shortly, and decided to drive through the USA into Windsor, ON, instead of taking the long way around the great lakes....it saves us about 700 km. We have been in contact with the US and Canadian customs, but I would like some input from anyone if they've had to make a similar move. According to Canadian customs, as long as I have a detailed list of everything we are moving, we should have no problem. Also, my in-laws are actually transporting all of our belongings...we will be ahead of them and meeting them at our new place. Should I be worried about anything? Don't think we'll have a problem on the US side, mostly on the Canadian side coming back into Canada. Most of our belongings are already there, but we now need to take the rest of our belongings, the cats, the house plants (anyone ever transport any plants over the border??? I heard it can be problematic), and our liquor bottles (which we bought and paid for here, but any suggestions? I've heard we will need to pay duty on them again....true or false?).

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. To be honest, I've never driven over the border before...always been on a plane. I'm worried we're going to be hastled at the border by customs, but the thought that it will save us about a days worth of driving makes it more appealing. Thanks in advance!

 

[F4disneyfan]

No real info for you other than to make sure you have a detailed list of all belongings you are having them bring and stop at the border on teh Canadian side and take the list into customs and show them and have them stamp it or sign off on it similar to what we do with our electronics when we go to Disney. This way it is noted and signed/stamped so you have no problems when you come back into Canada. So where in Ontario are you moving to?

 

[mc'smommy]

Hey everyone....we're moving from Alberta to Ontario shortly, and decided to drive through the USA into Windsor, ON, instead of taking the long way around the great lakes....it saves us about 700 km. We have been in contact with the US and Canadian customs, but I would like some input from anyone if they've had to make a similar move. According to Canadian customs, as long as I have a detailed list of everything we are moving, we should have no problem. Also, my in-laws are actually transporting all of our belongings...we will be ahead of them and meeting them at our new place. Should I be worried about anything? Don't think we'll have a problem on the US side, mostly on the Canadian side coming back into Canada. Most of our belongings are already there, but we now need to take the rest of our belongings, the cats, the house plants (anyone ever transport any plants over the border??? I heard it can be problematic), and our liquor bottles (which we bought and paid for here, but any suggestions? I've heard we will need to pay duty on them again....true or false?).

Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. To be honest, I've never driven over the border before...always been on a plane. I'm worried we're going to be hastled at the border by customs, but the thought that it will save us about a days worth of driving makes it more appealing. Thanks in advance!

Keep your lists very detailed, I dooubt they would really bother you about your open /used liquor bottles and as for the plants, they will not allow you to bring them into the US, let alone back into Canada....
Safe travels....

 

[calgarygary]

Completely OT but if your schedule allows ChisJo, try to allow for a couple of days in Wisconsin Dells - not on a level with Orlando but it is a great spot to visit for a couple of days.

 

[ChisJo]

No real info for you other than to make sure you have a detailed list of all belongings you are having them bring and stop at the border on teh Canadian side and take the list into customs and show them and have them stamp it or sign off on it similar to what we do with our electronics when we go to Disney. This way it is noted and signed/stamped so you have no problems when you come back into Canada. So where in Ontario are you moving to?

I didn't know you could stop off at the Canadian side of the border before crossing into the USA - shows how often I cross the border by car . Hopefully it's easily marked so that when we get to the North Portal border crossing in Saskatchewan, we'll be able to stop off at the Canadian side and go from there.

Anyways, we are moving from Edmonton to Windsor, for a couple of years, and then we will be moving again....hate moving, but that's the way it goes!

as for the plants, they will not allow you to bring them into the US, let alone back into Canada....

This is what I thought, and I couldn't find anything specific about house plants to counter this statement. I thought I needed to get some special document filled out and some special forestry and agriculture department to fill it out, but I called customs today and they said that house plants shouldn't be a problem, they will probably just inspect them. If they were outside plants, then they would have a problem.....so looks like my flowers and herbs are staying here!

 

[christiane]

It is unlikely you will have problems with Canadian customs, but more likely with the Americans. As Canadian citizens & residents who will have just been out of the country for a day or so, I doubt Canadian Customs will have much interest in you. As long as you have proof that you are transporting your personal belongings that were purchased in Canada & it doesn't look like you have been on some crazy shopping trip, you should be fine. I do think it would be best to cross with your in-laws though, so you cross the border at the same time as your belongings.

The events over the last 7 years have tightened things up at the border considerably. When we moved to the US before 9/11, it was "Welcome to the US. Your dog is cute. Here is some paperwork. Pay us $50 for your Visa & you're in." When we moved there after 9/11, very different & frustrating experience. I realize you are not moving there, just passing through, but the US agents are always on the look out for those trying illegal entry.

Just be safe & declare anything & everything, that way the worst thing that will happen is they will confiscate it or make you pay duty. Even something as innocuous as a roast beef sandwich or an orange may not be permissible.

Be prepared to be asked to go into the office since you will be travelling with personal belongings that are not typical of tourists. Sometimes the US agents are suspicious that you are trying to stay illegally in the US. Bring documents that show you will be continuing on your way into Canada (your home bill of sale or lease, job offer on company letterhead, etc). I have seen Canadians refused entry into the US on this basis. One young couple we saw in the border office was asked to prove they were planning on returning to Canada & were asked about their bank accounts etc. They were really given a hard time & seemed to be just crossing for a day trip.

I mention all this not to worry you, but just to prepare you. Call the exact border crossings you will use on each side & speak to an agent. I wouldn't really rely on information from any other source, even the US govt websites.

Speaking of which, it is: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/. It can be a good place to start, but I would confirm everything with an agent because the website can get out dated.

You may get great border agents who ask a question or 3 & then wave you through. But just be prepared for anything...

Best wishes on your move...

Christiane.

 

[SaskDisNut]

I didn't know you could stop off at the Canadian side of the border before crossing into the USA - shows how often I cross the border by car . Hopefully it's easily marked so that when we get to the North Portal border crossing in Saskatchewan, we'll be able to stop off at the Canadian side and go from there.

As you come into North Portal on Highway 39, the Canadian border services office is on your left before you get to the US border crossing. It is open 24 hours a day.

Here is a link to an arial view of the border crossing.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=48.998874,-102.554026&spn=0.004033,0.007896&t=h&z=17

On an another important note, your last Canadian Tim Horton's are in Weyburn or Estevan.

All the best on your move.

 

[ChisJo]

As you come into North Portal on Highway 39, the Canadian border services office is on your left before you get to the US border crossing. It is open 24 hours a day.

Here is a link to an arial view of the border crossing.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=48.998874,-102.554026&spn=0.004033,0.007896&t=h&z=17

On an another important note, your last Canadian Tim Horton's are in Weyburn or Estevan.

All the best on your move.

Thanks for this information....and especially thank you for the timmies information....I'm sure you just made my hubbies day!

 

[calgarygary]

Thanks for this information....and especially thank you for the timmies information....I'm sure you just made my hubbies day!

I don't think it will have made his day to find out you won't see another one until Michigan. Your best bet for coffee along the way is UGH - McDonald's.

 

[SaskDisNut]

Thanks for this information....and especially thank you for the timmies information....I'm sure you just made my hubbies day!

Your welcome! Tim Horton's is right off Highway 39 as you come into Weyburn and on the far end of Estevan. You can't miss them.

 

[Batnuni]

Hi,
It is possible to move across the US border with house plants, all you need is a Phytosanitary Certificate. These certificates are not hard to get, and they're good for two weeks. The price for the inspection and certificate is very reasonable as well. The only Government requirement is that you have the house plants inspected in the Country you are exporting them from. You can call your nearest government agent and ask for the phone number to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, then they will then direct you to the inspectors in your area.

As long as your house plants are healthy, there is no reason to leave them behind. Whether you are moving to the USA or just passing through, you will have no problem once you have this certificate.

You can go to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website for more information.

Best of luck on your move.
Regards,
Batnuni