Canadian Border

[Sue_Jolly]

We are planning a trip to Alaska in our 40-foot RV, with a tow vehicle, driving from Washington through Canada. What can we expect at the Canadian border? Is it a hassle to cross? Would like to hear other's experiences, good and bad, to assist us with our trip. And any tips others found helpful.

Thank you

Sue

[super_camper]

Sue Jolly wrote:
We are planning a trip to Alaska in our 40-foot RV, with a tow vehicle, driving from Washington through Canada. What can we expect at the Canadian border? Is it a hassle to cross? Would like to hear other's experiences, good and bad, to assist us with our trip. And any tips others found helpful.

Thank you

Sue

Lots of answers to this question but beyond the common sense responses many of the specifics are somewhat dated. In addition to everything offered so far I would recommend that you make yourself aware of what's going on before crossing. This means read the news and hit the respective government sites before crossing.

Here are 3 examples we have personally run into over many years and many many crossings.

While crossing at Windsor we were asked about beef following a mad cow issue in Alberta and responded by saying we had none, only packaged meat and no beef. Later he asked if we had hot dogs and we said yes. We handed them over and it turns out they contained some beef, this resulted in them boarding and inspecting further. They ended up taking our hot dogs and a lot of our time.

We now cross with NO fruit or veggies as a result of this trip. At one Windsor crossing we were quizzed thoroughly about fruit and its origin (we had a list of everything). Our list included 2 nectarines from Chile, just having this fruit on-board resulted in an agriculture search of the RV while we were taken inside their facility and interviewed. No big deal but took an additional 2+ hours.

Lastly, while crossing at Queenston we were pulled aside and had our hitch system inspected (as did many others towing). This took about 30 minutes in total to wait and have the 1 minute inspection done. We were told several fatal accidents in NYS prompted the inspection.

[CA_Traveler]

And don't forget the numerous lower 48/Canadian crossings!

[sue_t]

There are potentially numerous border crossings on your way to Alaska:

1. Cassiar Hwy - between Hyder AK and Stewart BC (there is no customs house crossing from Stewart to Hyder, just one on your return to Stewart from Hyder but they seem to not be too busy so often ask lots of questions - wanted to know if we had any knives!?)

2. South Klondike Hwy - between Whitehorse & Carcross YT and Skagway AK

3. Haines Hwy - between Haines Junction YT and Haines AK

4. Alaska Hwy - between Beaver Creek YT and Tok AK

5. Taylor/Top of the World Hwy - between Tok AK and Dawson City YT

So get used to answering the questions and feeling comfy crossing the borders.

[obgraham]

A little off topic, but interesting:

Recently we traveled in South America, and when passing through several of their many "passport control" stations in airports, I could see what showed up on the officer's screen after he scanned my passport.

It appeared he had a pop-up with about 5 categories, like "criminal", or "customs", etc. Each one had to turn to "Negativo" as the computer did its thing, and once they all did, it turned green and he then passed my document back to me.

I expect that Canadian and US border folks have a similar or even more detailed screen in front of them. (And I suspect the Peruvians will be mad that I peeked at their screens!)

[garyhaupt]

vic46 wrote:

Harvard wrote:
Now you need to have your passport when you order a burger. Must be right, I read it on RV.Net. :B

Just Garry;)

I have mine....




Gary Haupt

[vic46]

Harvard wrote:
Now you need to have your passport when you order a burger. Must be right, I read it on RV.Net. :B

Just Garry;)

[Harvard]

Now you need to have your passport when you order a burger. Must be right, I read it on RV.Net. :B

[daily_double]

LOL

[garyhaupt]

You know...there is such a huge emphasis being placed on this, and really, it is not necessary. Surely you all know to carry your passports? It's not that it's an easy pass but getting fearful about it is making life way to hard. And trust me..my body puckers up when I cross too, but that is just a fear thing. Unless a person is bringing stuff into the other country that they shouldn't oughta be bringing, or someone has a past criminal record...the border folks ask a few question and say bye bye. It is designed that way..to scare us.

I get asked more questions when I order a burger.

Gary Haupt

[jd-mac]

Crossed in both directions today, southbound the only words exchanged with US customs was "OK" when we arrived at the booth. Northbound to Canada conversation consisted of "anything to declare"? my response was
"nope"--"have a nice day" by Customs officer.
It pays to have a Nexus card. That's the way I like to cross the border ,not always the case but it is mostly that way.

[Tothill]

The birth cert's currently issued by vital statistics come with a directive that the cert should not be carried and their size and construction material surely don't accommodate carrying the document. They are 7" by 5,7/8" and made of materials similar to our currency. They are the same regardless of the province of birth with perhaps the exception of Quebec.

The above does not apply in BC. Mine was laminated by Vital Statistics when it was issued many moons ago. When DS # 1 got his birth certificate it was wallet sized and came with strict instructions not to laminate it, but it was in a plastic pouch. DS#2 has the large format birth certificate, but we could have ordered the small one. DD has the small one and once again BC Vital stats is laminating them.

Spouse's is from AB and is wallet sized.

Before 911 we crossed the border with birth certificates. A driver's license is not proof of citizenship.

[Tothill]

3LittleDucks wrote:
Can I add a question? Do most people travel with passports/drivers licenses only, or do you bring birth certificates for trips across the border as well?

We travel with passports for the entire family and photocopies of birth certificates. You should not need a birth certificate plus passport.

DH will have a driver's license soon, dd in another 6 months.

Years ago before the rules about passports, by oldest son used his school id as photo id when crossing the Can/US border.

[Fizz]

You need a birth cert. to obtain a passport.
If you lose both you are screwed.
My cert. is always left at home in a secure box.

[vic46]

dieharder wrote:

3LittleDucks wrote:
Can I add a question? Do most people travel with passports/drivers licenses only, or do you bring birth certificates for trips across the border as well?

I don't see the value a birth certificate would have. Your passport says you're Canadian.

Have never travelled with birth certificates.

Commonly used for entry to the US before the dramatic changes precipitated by 9/11. To get a passport you must have a "valid" birth cert. The birth cert's currently issued by vital statistics come with a directive that the cert should not be carried and their size and construction material surely don't accommodate carrying the document. They are 7" by 5,7/8" and made of materials similar to our currency. They are the same regardless of the province of birth with perhaps the exception of Quebec.

[CA_Traveler]

Check this link for required documentation for both US and Canadian citizens. Standard drivers licenses and birth certificates are not on the list. Basically following 911 a WHTI document is required. Children under 16 can use a birth certificate.

For us the simple solution is to just renew our passports every 10 years.