Saint Stephen/Calais Crossing
In a couple of weeks we have a caravan of three truck campers headed up to Fundy National Park and will be entering Canada at Saint Stephens. First time to Canada with campers and trying to settle so...
Forum Discussion
Just got back from Canada/Alaska a few weeks ago. We never got searched but ran into folks who did. I would recommend the following:
FOOD: When crossing the boarder do not carry any raw eggs or raw poultry (this means turkey and other birds as well as chicken)(Canadians are worried about bird flu) , No uncooked meat or fresh veggies. Be sure you have no more than 1 litre of whiskey/wine per person. Not sure what the beer limits are but make sure you are not over. Cigarettes and Cigars also have limits so make sure you are not over. If you are fishing while you are up there be sure you know what type of fish you can bring back and have proper paperwork for it when you cross back to the U.S.
MONEY: If you don't have chips in your credit cards before leaving try to get your cards reissued with chips. Canada is big on the chip cards. You can get cash from bank machines and will get a good exchange rate if you can't get in a bank. Just Make sure the bank machine you use is from the same system as your debit card. Just look for the symbols on the back of your card. If your card is declined that is probably why. You are just trying to use a machine from a system not associated with your debit card. Call your credit card companies and your debit card and let them know you are leaving the country. Also ask if they charge a foreign exchange fee for transactions. If you have a card that doesn't charge the extra fee - use it. I would also give the credit card companies an extra phone number for someone not traveling with you that is staying back home in addition to your phone number. That way if they suspect fraud and they can't get in touch with you they will need to try your at home family member before they shut down your card. Insist that the card company must call and text you and all numbers you have listed with them before shutting down your card. Don't cross the boarder with more than $10,000 in cash or travelers checks. Can't imagine why you would need to but it would be bad to have your cash confiscated.
VERIZON: Sign up for the Canada/Mexico calling and data plan but as soon as you get near the boarder turn off your mobile data. You can turn it back on if you really need to use your own data plan for a short time but then remember to turn it off again. You'd be shocked how fast you can use up the minimal amount of data they give you for a month. Try to use wifi whenever you can. Texting is a good option for staying in touch without needing your mobile data turned on. Call Verizon in advance and ask them for the best settings to make and receive calls while in Canada. My husbands phone was newer and needed different settings to work in Canada than mine did. My phone needed to be set on Global for preferred network type but my husband's needed to use the LTE/CDMA setting in Canada. Also when you text you can only text to one person at a time. Group texts will not go through.
WEAPONS: Don't bring them. It's just not worth the hassle. You will be asked if you have any defensive weapons of any kind. Make sure you can say NO. If you are a registered gun owner be prepared for more questions and to possible be searched so they can verify you are not carrying.
CROSSING THE BORDER:
Do not wear sunglasses or a hat. Be calm and truthful. Put a packet together with your vehicle proof of insurance info, copy of your title and registration. Ask your insurance agent for a Canadian non-resident inter-province motor vehicle liability insurance card. If they don't know what this is get a new agent. Be ready to hand this information and passports for all your passengers to the border agent.
We have always found that the U. S. customs agents questioned us more than the Canadian agents.
Most of all have a fun safe trip.
Meme
FOOD: When crossing the boarder do not carry any raw eggs or raw poultry (this means turkey and other birds as well as chicken)(Canadians are worried about bird flu) , No uncooked meat or fresh veggies. Be sure you have no more than 1 litre of whiskey/wine per person. Not sure what the beer limits are but make sure you are not over. Cigarettes and Cigars also have limits so make sure you are not over. If you are fishing while you are up there be sure you know what type of fish you can bring back and have proper paperwork for it when you cross back to the U.S.
MONEY: If you don't have chips in your credit cards before leaving try to get your cards reissued with chips. Canada is big on the chip cards. You can get cash from bank machines and will get a good exchange rate if you can't get in a bank. Just Make sure the bank machine you use is from the same system as your debit card. Just look for the symbols on the back of your card. If your card is declined that is probably why. You are just trying to use a machine from a system not associated with your debit card. Call your credit card companies and your debit card and let them know you are leaving the country. Also ask if they charge a foreign exchange fee for transactions. If you have a card that doesn't charge the extra fee - use it. I would also give the credit card companies an extra phone number for someone not traveling with you that is staying back home in addition to your phone number. That way if they suspect fraud and they can't get in touch with you they will need to try your at home family member before they shut down your card. Insist that the card company must call and text you and all numbers you have listed with them before shutting down your card. Don't cross the boarder with more than $10,000 in cash or travelers checks. Can't imagine why you would need to but it would be bad to have your cash confiscated.
VERIZON: Sign up for the Canada/Mexico calling and data plan but as soon as you get near the boarder turn off your mobile data. You can turn it back on if you really need to use your own data plan for a short time but then remember to turn it off again. You'd be shocked how fast you can use up the minimal amount of data they give you for a month. Try to use wifi whenever you can. Texting is a good option for staying in touch without needing your mobile data turned on. Call Verizon in advance and ask them for the best settings to make and receive calls while in Canada. My husbands phone was newer and needed different settings to work in Canada than mine did. My phone needed to be set on Global for preferred network type but my husband's needed to use the LTE/CDMA setting in Canada. Also when you text you can only text to one person at a time. Group texts will not go through.
WEAPONS: Don't bring them. It's just not worth the hassle. You will be asked if you have any defensive weapons of any kind. Make sure you can say NO. If you are a registered gun owner be prepared for more questions and to possible be searched so they can verify you are not carrying.
CROSSING THE BORDER:
Do not wear sunglasses or a hat. Be calm and truthful. Put a packet together with your vehicle proof of insurance info, copy of your title and registration. Ask your insurance agent for a Canadian non-resident inter-province motor vehicle liability insurance card. If they don't know what this is get a new agent. Be ready to hand this information and passports for all your passengers to the border agent.
We have always found that the U. S. customs agents questioned us more than the Canadian agents.
Most of all have a fun safe trip.
Meme
