Travel to/from Canada

I"m the OP on this thread. Many thanks for a lot of useful information and opinion.

One topic I neglected to mention: health insurance. My Medicare doesn't "work" in Canada. Does anyone have experience with short-term private health insurance coverage for US citizens in Canada?

Rich

We bought a planter with three very small cacti in it
four years ago. This was purchased in Arizona. We have had it on our dash
in the MH since purchase. This past year we have seen it flower.

We are Canadian snowbirds that head south every winter.
Our plant sits proudly on the dash in plain view.
We have never been asked about plants and had several border
agents come on board to check the fridge.

The plant sits right by the door and is not disguised in any way.

Don't assume border guards have a sense of humor. A buddy of mine got denied entry after making a 1-liner wisecrack about his buddy behind him in line (3 motorcycles), which the guard didn't take kindly to. Maybe having a bad day, but it sure ruined his trip with friends (he split and toured the northern US on his own).

No issues on my trip through last year in a class C with the family. We had some food that might've been a problem, but no questions asked.

I agree with garyhaupt to a degree.

I'm always friendly, with a smile and "how are you". Often not reciprocated, but that's fine, they are doing their job.

However, I always answer the questions directly, to the point, and add no more.

Whether they decide to come into your rig for a lookylook is out of your hands, so I don't worry about it.

When we're done, it's always "you take care" and I'm out of there.

I've never had a significant problem, and I have had the search a couple of times. So be it.

Finally, I prefer to get my cash at an ATM, using a card with no foreign transaction fee added on. I think I get a better rate than inside the bank, but if not, it's a only a few bucks different, and the ATM is a lot quicker. I think it is disrespectful to plan to use US dollars in Canada.

Moved from Class C.

We crossed from Idaho up to B.C., Canada in June. No interest in our fresh meat or vegetables whatsoever - or any other food product. No interest in the dog.

Questions were re firearms (none) and alcohol. We gave a short summary of the beer, wine etc in response, and were waved through even though we exceeded the limit.

I'm of the "don't try to have fun expressing your unique personality, just answer the questions" school of thought.

Returning to the US a week later from Alberta, fresh vegetables and citrus were definitely of interest. The agent entered the RV and cleaned them out of the refrigerator herself.

garyhaupt wrote:
I am on the other side of the fence on the say nothing to the border people. I am more like..'be yourself'. If a person presents themselves all secretive and weird? Guess who gets the hairy eyeball. If you like to talk? talk..they aren't going to punish you for being friendly.


Gary Haupt...eh

I agree, I am a friendly person and on one entry into the US the border guard left the booth and walked half a kilometer into Canada past a number of other cars waiting behind me to read a US sign that I was laughing about. She came back laughing as hard as I was as nobody ever mentioned how stupid the sign was, she then told me some of the stupid things that people had tried to smuggle that week as she ran my information.

Another time going into the US there was something happening as behind each border guard was someone else with a automatic machine gun. The guy I was talking to was stern but very nice, he started to ask me the required entry questions so fast that my answers were off to what he was asking. Got to the part about weapons after asking me a question that I was saying yes to as he said do you have any military type weapons??? I said yes, the guy with the machine gun leans forward and goes "you do" and the three of us started laughing. He tossed my passport back and told me to get lost, which I did.

They know who to watch and are generally good at what they do!

This post will be moved in a day or so and you will get a lot more information but here are my 2 cents worth. The link above gives you a lot of information as well.

For food there are some things that are a no go like fresh fruit, vegetables and meat. If you are bringing other items across that are allowed it is best to leave them in the original containers, that way they can see easily what it is and where it was manufactured.

Gas is more but the roads are nicer so that is the trade off :B :B

Make sure you take out anything that is a no no or may raise suspicion like weapons, ammo, pepper spray, hunting items, etc. Many times it is the stupid thing that we forgot that they find like a switchblade that you have had for 30 years.

When you are stopped at the border answer the question honestly and you will be fine. They may search your rig or they may not, it is not that they suspect anything it could just be the way you came across that they figure you are as good as the next person to search.

You may want to check on health insurance as well. Sometimes your policy will cover you for 30 days with no addition other times you need to either advise them or even add a rider for a small fee.

Use cash as your credit card company will more than likely rip you off if you need to use your card. I would bring some US cash and find a Canadian Bank to exchange it at. You can use US cash any place in Canada but some smaller stores may not give you as much for it.

Above all enjoy yourself!!!!

I am on the other side of the fence on the say nothing to the border people. I am more like..'be yourself'. If a person presents themselves all secretive and weird? Guess who gets the hairy eyeball. If you like to talk? talk..they aren't going to punish you for being friendly.

If you have a license to pack..chances are you are going to get asked something..like..'do you have a weapon?' So..not only don't have that..do a look-around for shell casing or shells. That sets off alarms.

Liquor..1.5 liters per person..or 24? beers...you can take as much as you like, you just get taxed to death on overages. Not a little bit over..but if you have a lifetime supply of Old Turkey? That'll cost you.

Good info on not having anything in the way of groceries and plants.

All this info is same same going south.

Yep..it does cost more up here but that's the price for great beers.


Gary Haupt...eh

Link

Check out the link above. Not sure why you don't think there is up to date info available.

They like people to visit, spend money and go back home. Don't offer the border guards any information that they don't ask for when crossing in either direction.

Bottom line, you'll be fine.