Canadian Border

CA Traveler wrote:
We have also never been asked about a supplemental brake for the toad which I understand is required in Canada. Is this even the job of the border agents?

The applicable rules are provincial and not federal (ie not border agents).

Also, for the province of Alberta, no toad brakes are required if the toad weighs less then 50% of the towing MH.

Alberta

As Lakeside mentioned, just give them what they ask for and nothing more. Keep your answers as concise and honest as possible but don't elaborate unless they ask additional questions. Driver's license, vehicle registration and vehicle insurance are state and provincial matters in both our countries. The federal border agents have little or no interest in them. Once they scan your passport into their computer system, they will more than likely have a copy of your driver's license and a ton more stuff, things you hope your spouse never sees or hears about. LOL

The two countries share computer information with each other. Now that both sides are using "face recognition" cameras and software, after the first crossing the other tend to go quicker. Also the border officers of both countries are allowed to profile. Depending on where you reside, what line of work you have been involved in, past crossing history, past law violations in either country, etc. will all have a large part to do with the questions you are asked and whether you will win the brass ring and get the personal attention of a couple of agents as they check out your rig. I got the full search on our south bound trip coming back into Canada from Alaska at Beaver Creek. Took an hour and was enjoyable to watch real pros do their jobs. Very little mess when they had finished and we were on our way.

Since 9/11 we only offer passports. We've never been asked for any other documentation like DL, vehicle registration, insurance, animal documents or a list of everything we're carrying (which we don't have).

We have also never been asked about a supplemental brake for the toad which I understand is required in Canada. Is this even the job of the border agents?

"if the package states on it, product of the U.S. or Canada then it's ok to bring across

Additionally we found that if individual fruit items had the small labels stating US or Canada that they were an acceptable alternative.

Been back & forth a number of times at a number of crossings. It is a mixed bag both ways. It depends. Answer what you are asked. If they start the small talk, we play along. We confuse them sometimes, both sides because of our passports which they don't see or have never seen before.

They are human, doing a difficult job. Make it as easy as possible for them.

We live in a border city. We cross the border quite a bit and we usually go camping in the U.S. I'll only speak in regards to vegetables. I make it a habit to call U.S. Customs and then get transferred to an agricultural agent. I always ask what is legal to bring across. Our answer has been, "if the package states on it, product of the U.S. or Canada then it's ok to bring across. The package has to be unopened". We've had open packages confiscated. Coming back to Canada, I can't ever remember being asked questions regarding vegetables or fruit. That's our experience so far.

On the lighter side. We were Southbound, and after pulling our toad through 8 hours of wet snow and sanded highways, the agent asked "Are you leaving anything in the states other then the dirt?". :)

carmelo wrote:
You have received good info. I add have both passports with the drivers license in EACH ready and hand it IMMEDIATELY to the agent, don't wait to be asked!
One time only I was asked for the registration papers on the veh. so I always have it ready.
Make it easy, NO fresh fruit nor vegetables period in either direction and no guns.

Carmelo.....Good idea to have the driver licenses available, but I would not pass them to the Officer until they are asked for. Several reasons for this, Etc. Licenses could be dropped or misplaced if the Officer is not expecting to have them passed along with the standard passport, you might draw more attention to yourself by giving information that was not requested.(Folks who have something to hide will often times direct attention toward another area or item - Officers are trained to look for this response). Additionally, some licenses may have maiden names or address that are not currently accurate, or the photo on the license could be more recent or older than the passport and these things could raise red flags to the Officer. I believe it is best to give specific and direct answers to questions asked and have readily available documents that the interviewing Officer may be asking for. Hope this helps.

Lakeside

You have received good info. I add have both passports with the drivers license in EACH ready and hand it IMMEDIATELY to the agent, don't wait to be asked!
One time only I was asked for the registration papers on the veh. so I always have it ready.
Make it easy, NO fresh fruit nor vegetables period in either direction and no guns.
We tried to cross in both directions during off peak hours. often spent 2-3 minutes in line and clearing. We have crossed many times and never a problem, well one time, forgot abt the tomatoes and had to cut them up and that was OK!!

There is a show on TV now in Canada following the CBSA in Vancouver and Toronto.
Man they don't play around and they reject a lot of people coming in from all countries. A lot of folks get put on the next flight back home.

Lots of people coming over with $30-$40 grand on them on not claiming...you must claim anything over ten G's.

One guy was a hunter who was moving here from Texas and he had about 6 firearms. Well we also love to hunt so no big deal right? He did not claim the guns.

Please claim what you have, do not lie it is not worth it.

if I'm over I tell them...I pay and I get to go home to my bed.

The CBSA has WAY more power than you want to know.

Also, DO NOT bring your medical pot.
medical Mary Jane is legal in Canada AND USA but it is NOT legal to transport it across the border, not even one single spliff.

If you have kids in the back seat put their window down CBSA always talks to my kids so does US Customs (age 10 + 11)

welcome to Canada :)