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 some jitters.Passports: Everyone has one and none are within 12 months of expiring.Pets: NonePlants/soil: NoneFood: The Canada Food Inspection Agency website is a bit confusing. It says except for eggs, the normal food we would have with us like a couple pounds or raw tenderloin (pork) or chicken breast is allowed, but then it goes on to say permits for such items are required before arriving at the border. Would it just be best to plan on entering Canada without any raw or uncanned meat, fruits, and vegetables? We do plan on stopping at the Atlantic Superstore to restock anyhow.Money: We have verified exchange fees on our Visa credit cards and will be letting them know we are traveling outside United States. Plan on exchanging some cash at a bank in Saint Stephens so we have Canadian currency at any small stores. Any recommendations on a bank?Cell Phones: Adding Canada service plans to our Verizon accounts.Auto Insurance: Have verified and received proof of coverage in Canada.Tipping/Gratuities: Is it the same as the United States where tipping is based on service?Crossing Location: Since we are only in truck campers, tallest being 12', any issues with entering at the old Carais-Saint Stephen crossing? Since we will be coming from the coast and our first stop will be at the visitor center, makes more sense to us.Did I forget any thing?

Looks good to me. You might be over thinking this but the it's always like that the first time.Make Walmart your first stop, buy what you need using debit card and get cash.That's always our first stop.Everybody uses debit, you only need cash for tips.

Not trying to be picky, but it is Calais, not Carais. It is pronounced Cal- iss. (Rhymes with malice). I advise you to take the new border crossing, not the old one where you have to go through the town and cross a small bridge. When you get a few miles before Calais, you will come to a traffic circle. Take it 3/4 around and there is also,a sign there that says border crossing. That leads to the new one. If you go straight ahead you will come to the town and the old crossing. No big deal either way, just easier.We have crossed a number of times in the last few years at different border crossings and git is easy. They didn't seem super fussy about food, but be honest. Most you can lose is a few bits of produce.Get fuel at the Irvings in the U.S. Just before the stop sign and right turn at route 9, I believe.Nice campground on the water in .st. Andrews

One thing you didn't mention was alcohol. As far as beer, I know that you can only carry 24 12 ounce bottles/cans per adult. Not sure about wine/booze.

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

As of last weekend again, chicken into Canada was prohibited from 14 states according to the agent I spoke with when crossing into Quebec from NY on Sunday morning.Pork and beef is ok but you must prove that any poultry product is not from one of the restricted states. Personally we no longer attempt cross chicken even if it identified from a valid source because things can change without notice.

Saint Stephen/Calais Crossing | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

Crowe
Explorer
Sep 08, 2015
My wife ask, is the bakery better for bread or deserts?

EVERYTHING! :) They have fantastic bread, superb sticky buns, and the best peanut butter cookies anywhere. The "local thing" would be their lobster but I don't think it's in season (they have lobster seasons rather than size). They also do a lot of mussels, but they are from PEI.
kohldad
Explorer III
Sep 08, 2015
My wife ask, is the bakery better for bread or deserts? What is the local thing she just has to try?
Crowe
Explorer
Sep 08, 2015
Just spent time in Vancouver/Victoria, BC and have gone through the St. Stephen/Calais crossing MANY times. Go to an ATM to get cash. Debit is widely accepted and in restaurants they now bring the swipe machine to your table-no more losing sight of your card.

Have never used any crossing other than the old one. Our Endura fit not problem. I LOVE that crossing because it's where my brain says "yes, you are on vacation". We have had food confiscated there when we inadvertently tried to bring non-allowed items into the country. Sadly the food has to be destroyed-take as little in as possible, then buy what you need. The exchange rate is hovering around $1.30 CDN for 1 USD but keep in mind many items are much more expensive. Enjoy Fundy and make sure you visit the bakery in Alma!
VTLee
Explorer
Sep 04, 2015
Turn your data off. You may think you are not using it but the phone company can send an update to your phone while you are in Canada and it will be very expensive. Trust me. Been there. Had it happen and it cost me around $125 five years ago. Since then I always turn the data off.
Little_Kopit
Explorer
Sep 03, 2015
DownTheAvenue wrote:
kohldad wrote:

Money: We have verified exchange fees on our Visa credit cards and will be letting them know we are traveling outside United States. Plan on exchanging some cash at a bank in Saint Stephens so we have Canadian currency at any small stores. Any recommendations on a bank?

Don't go to a bank and exchange US dollars (USD) into Canadian dollars (CDN). Just go to any ATM and withdraw like you do in the States. Make sure you tell the bank where your ATM card is that you will be using it in Canada.

Right now you should get about $1.30 CDN for every $1.00 ASD. CANADA IS ON SALE!

You will get a better exchange at a Canadian bank. Remember those who change money out side of the banks have to make money, and to a lesser extent the banks have a service fee. Go to a bank!

:C
DownTheAvenue
Explorer
Sep 03, 2015
kohldad wrote:

Money: We have verified exchange fees on our Visa credit cards and will be letting them know we are traveling outside United States. Plan on exchanging some cash at a bank in Saint Stephens so we have Canadian currency at any small stores. Any recommendations on a bank?

Don't go to a bank and exchange US dollars (USD) into Canadian dollars (CDN). Just go to any ATM and withdraw like you do in the States. Make sure you tell the bank where your ATM card is that you will be using it in Canada.

Right now you should get about $1.30 CDN for every $1.00 ASD. CANADA IS ON SALE!
cdbinns
Explorer
Sep 03, 2015
We just returned from a several month trip to Alaska and back. We had no issues crossing the borders in either direction, although personnel at each crossing seemed to ask about slightly different foods each time. That said, the only time we have ever had a border agent go through the refridgerator was last summer when we crossed back in to the USA at the old Calais crossing after a trip to Fundy NP.
FC
Explorer
Sep 03, 2015
Yes to emphasize, use the new Border crossing located just a couple miles up river from Calais. Brand new and lots of space and good easy access.
The divided highway on the New Brunswick side starts right at the Customs station.
the old station located right down town Calais- St Stephen is very tight for large units.
If you have time the Fundy Trail located just outside of St Martins is definitely worth a visit. After that you can go cross country a bit on your continued drive to Fundy Park. The Fundy Trail is "Beautiful"
JM2CW
kohldad
Explorer III
Sep 03, 2015
Meme - since my phone is used mainly as a phone and I don't allow any programs to update automatically, My usage is WAY below normal. But I'll make sure to keep an eye on it.

Dcason - the tide change is the reason we are going. Hoping to watch it at Hopewell Rocks one day and in town one day while we walk around. Thanks for the tip on Drew & Jens.
timandsusan
Explorer
Sep 03, 2015
Two years ago we crossed at Calais--only issue was the clearance under the Canadian Customs building. I have a 5th wheel with front AC. The Canadian Customs closed down one lane of traffic for me to work around the building to the left. On our return, we used the new crossing that is a little to the west--I would use that crossing in the future.

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Saint Stephen/Calais Crossing

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