RV travel to Canada

I have never been searched when entering Canada. I have been when reentering the US.

Have had about 30 entries into Canada in the past 11 years. Always stopped but only searched 5 or 6 times. Usually just a few questions then passed on through. Have been searched about the same number of times when returning to the US.

The time it takes is usually determined by where you are entering. At busy ports we have waited in line for an hour or more and then passed through in less than a minute. We try to enter at small border crossings and are usually through in less than 10 minutes, even when they search the motorhome.

Just be polite and answer their questions. We only make conservation with them if they initiate it; and that doesn't happen very often.

I go frequently and have never been searched in recent years. The last time I can remember was during WWII with my folks. My father was a Canadian with US citizenship so that always drew attention. With all Canadian relatives we made the trip frequently.

Pre and Post border crossing check list:
1. Stop at stop sign or end of line up.
2. Turn down radio.
3. Remove sun glasses (every body)
4. Passports at the ready.
5. Roll down window just before green light.
6. Move ahead on green light.
7. Stop at booth.
8. Transmission in Park and Parking brake ON
9. Turn OFF engine.
10. Hand over passports.
11. Make sure you make eye contact and follow instructions.
12. On return of passports, your response "Thank you".
13. Safely depart the booth area and safe travels.

Amazing the hassles of crossing the border legally.

Harvard's advice is good, but what it amounts to is be polite and attentive. Living near the border, we cross frequently, sometimes just to go to the US for dinner, or a bit of shopping. Nine times out of 10: you hand them your passports, they ask Citizenship?, where you heading?, pass back your passports, have a nice day. I have found it is more common for additional questions going into the US: usually a few additional questions like, are you carrying any food, what do you do for a living, when was the last time you crossed, who is the owner of the car, how long will you be in the US, are you going to be doing any work into the US, have you ever been arrested etc. In the last 5 years we have crossed hundreds of times and (knock on wood) only been to secondary inspection once after a big shopping spree to pay duty on the Canadian side, and once for the car to be x-rayed on the US side.

This border crossing stuff gets people so tangled and worried. Of the hundreds of thousands of crossing every month, few have issues and most of those are because they contravened a Canadian or American law. Believe me, people don't get hassled just because the agent is having a bad day. There was a reason. Now, it is entirely possible that in fact, nothing is wrong, and it doesn't take long to get cleared.

Do your homework, call the border services of the country you are going into and ask questions. If you are going to carry a weapon, call and ask if what you carry is permitted. If you have a criminal record, call and see if you are good to enter or not. Foods and booze are always issues for people. Go to websites and "go learn". And...don't rely on anecdotal information from anyone. Ask the right people.


Gary Haupt

40 years of crossing, probably 15 times in the RV's. One time the inspector came on board. Looked in the fridge. "Have a nice day". Sometimes they act gruff -- so what, they're doing their job.

It's just not worth worrying about.

Depending on where you cross and when, I'd be worried about the time spent in line. Allow some time for it, it it's quick, pull over and take a nap. Still shouldn't take over 30 minutes.

Bill

We have crossed the border a number of times and have never been searched. Just asked the usual questions and told to go on. We have never had anything taken from us either such as fruit or meat. I wouldn't worry about it. Just be polite and answer their questions honestly.