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sakayvv's avatar
sakayvv
Explorer
Aug 11, 2013

canada travel

3rd trip with w/5th wheel. Plan to travel to Maine from MI this fall. Thinking about going thru Canada shortest route. Do not plan to stay in Canada just travel thru. Never traveled out of states. Have passports and medical records for 1 dog. What do we need to know to enter Canada, what to expect at border crossings. What do we need for entry, what can we bring with us during our crossing, will there be a search of our truck & 5th wheel, what about getting diesel fuel? Will there be problem with using US currency, what about credit cards? I'm sure I may have more questions but will start with these. Any information and knowledge will be very appreciated.

26 Replies

  • pfidahospud wrote:
    popupcamping wrote:
    You can not have any weapons what so ever including mace and bearsprays.


    That's not quite right, but is a very common misconception. On my last trip to Canada two months ago, the Canadian Border Patrol agent asked if we had bear spray after I advised him we planned to do some back-country hiking. He highly suggested we did bring bear spray for protection. See page 11, #25, section c, under Exceptions at the Canadian Border Security website here.


    but in this case the OP can not make that claim and will be detained. Best to not have it
  • popupcamping wrote:
    You can not have any weapons what so ever including mace and bearsprays.


    That's not quite right, but is a very common misconception. On my last trip to Canada two months ago, the Canadian Border Patrol agent asked if we had bear spray after I advised him we planned to do some back-country hiking. He highly suggested we did bring bear spray for protection. See page 11, #25, section c, under Exceptions at the Canadian Border Security website here.
  • I've traveled through Canada many times but have only had a walk through about 3 times in 4 years. Last one was yesterday. The agent opened every car ahead of us and confiscated a bag of citrus from the one ahead of us. This was the American side in Port Huron. She came in our motor home and opened the refrigerator, bathroom and just seemed to be looking for humans as she didn't open any compartments or cabinets. The refrigerator was more like opening it to make sure it was actually a refrigerator.

    Traveling through I now have a policy of fueling up before I enter and only after I exit Canada. I stopped at an Esso on Oil Heritage Rd. at 402. The guy wouldn't let me pay at the pump. So I filled up and then he told me that he can't take American credit cards unless I call them before hand and tell them that I am going to use it in Canada. So I ended up having to give him most of my cash and he told me the exchange rate is .05 in his favor. BTW it was supposed to be .05 in my favor. This is the first time this has ever happened in Canada. I camp in Canada frequently and everyone takes my credit card.
  • Foods NOT allowed entry into the USA: All citrus is banned. Lamb and goat for human consumption is banned in any form, also L/G in pet food. More than 50# of potatoes from Newfoundland are banned. Chicken from BC is banned. Whole tomatoes and bell peppers are banned. Sliced or cut up tomatoes and peppers are able to enter. Plants with soil on their roots are banned if not accompanied with a clearance certificate. Cut flowers are able to enter. Christmas trees are not allowed entry unless accompanied by a clearance certificate. Most meats from Asia, Africa, and Europe are banned. Moose meat, caribou meat, elk meat, bear meat, and migratory fowl meat is allowed to enter if crossing with the person who harvested it and that person is in possession of a valid Canadian license and that person has any applicable Canadian export permits in their possession. Hope this helps.

    Lakeside
  • There is a section of this forum called RVing in Canada and Alaska: http://forums.woodalls.com/Index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/65.cfm

    At the top of the front page in that section are sticky threads with links to a lot of essential webpages - especially those from the Canadian government with '.gc.ca' in the url.

    They tell you regulations for food, pets, tobacco, liquor, firearms, firewood.

    & there are a lot of threads where folks have given their experience.

    Remember no Border Guard has time to ask about all the things covered by regulations. You could just get caught for thorough search, even if that only happens to a few people. So, prepare for it.

    :C
  • Ummm... we have diesel

    We like everywhere in the world except all major credit cards

    We will accept foreign currency

    You may be searched. You will be asked many questions

    You can not have any weapons what so ever including mace and bearsprays.

    If you or anyone in your party has a prior arrest you may be denied entry

    There are many food regs as well you should read about