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Gene · 06-09-2010, 11:35 PM

Leaving Skagway, we ran into a novice customs person who wanted to make sure she asked every possible question, and sometimes twice, as she said out loud "what else do I ask?" She wanted to know if we had a house perhaps thinking we were going to live in our Airstream in Canada. She ran our passports through the computer too as she made sure of something or another. I never knew an old guy driving a pretty new truck and trailer was such a danger to Canada; next time I will wear a hockey uniform with "Howe" or "99" on the back. When we re-entered Alaska today they took some of our fruit because we bought it in Canada. The fruit we find in Canada is generally better quality than we can buy in the US. Go figure.

Gene

richinny · 06-10-2010, 03:05 PM

i guess it's one job where you don't have to buy lunch every day :-)

Gene · 06-10-2010, 06:46 PM

I forgot to mention, they told us we could go back to Canada, half a mile down the road, and eat the fruit. We couldn't eat it there! Otherwise, they give it to the birds. Does that attract other wildlife and make them fearless of humans? If so, that's just as dumb.

Gene

Larry C · 06-13-2010, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

I know the question pertains "into Canada." We purchased up to the 1.5L limit apiece and brought 4 bottles of nice Okanagan pinot gris back from Waterton last fall. U.S. customs didn't blink or inspect when I declared them. Might have helped we escaped camp ahead of 2 dozen Class B mohos of a German auto club headed for the border -- and they were queued up right behind us with the U.S. customs officer shaking his head.

We've heard stories about limits on food going into Canada but have never had a question about our full refrigerator or shelves. Bringing a quantity only for personal consumption is probably the important point.

Be careful not to appear as if any of your party is organizing or charging for guiding. They frown on out-of-country commercial trips -- and have a very skeptical approach if a pilot flies in "friends" while the latter split costs. Same issue applies if your destination is a private cabin. They'llprobably give you benefit of the doubt if family or cameraderie & friendship are at the core. It'll always help to have handy any brochures & proof of deposit at a resort. Politeness is important on a visitor's part. We've only been welcomed in that manner and it has always been a positive experience.

They will ask about guns and bear spray -- you won't get either in. Don't bring any cheeses or cured meats back to the U.S. from Canada -- that's the subject of a longstanding European trade embargo.

In regards to guns....handguns are a definite no! Long guns are OK, but there is a form that you can download from Canadian customs. Of course, no full auto, or assault rifles, it's hunting weapons only.
There is a fee of course.
I'll be able to post more in about a week, we're heading to Alaska, currently are in Rapid City, SD.
All of this info is available on the internet..
Larry C

clancy_boy · 06-13-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry C

In regards to guns....handguns are a definite no! Long guns are OK, but there is a form that you can download from Canadian customs. Of course, no full auto, or assault rifles, it's hunting weapons only.
There is a fee of course.
I'll be able to post more in about a week, we're heading to Alaska, currently are in Rapid City, SD.
All of this info is available on the internet..
Larry C

My experience - and that is all I can talk about on this subject, i have not looked up the rules or laws on this. In 1998, I crossed over at Rainbow Bridge at Niagra and had a semi-auto (as always, don't leave home without it) in the truck. I admitted to it to the Canadian border guard, the wife was with me and I did not want to get in legal trouble. Their response was "How long are you going to be in Canada and where are you crossing back over at?". I told them 48 hours for camping and we would return through the same entry point. They explained that if we were to cross at another location they would need at least 72 hours to ship the weapon to that crossing, maybe more if on the other side of the country.

Upon our return they handed the weapon over without any question or issue. Then the guard asked "Do you have your New York carry permit or home state CCW?" When i said no, it's not a requirement in Mississippi to have a permit to carry a weapon in a vehicle - she just looked at me and was in shock. Well, as luck would have it the NY side guard was a "jerk" to put it nicely and was intent on giving us folk from Mississippi a hard time but never ever did he ask about a weapon, if he had asked I would have admitted to it.

Over59 · 06-13-2010, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowieE

Not only no guns but no ammo. If you have ever carried ammo in the truck or trailer make sure it is out.

There is a procedure to take specific firearms with you for specific purposes. There are restrictions on barrel length and cal. You need to know the procedure for the providence where you enter. It takes some planning and doing some paperwork ahead of time. It's available online. Then there is the return to the US. You may need proof of US purchase.

Without doing it legal it just isn't worth the anxiety.

63air · 06-21-2010, 09:59 AM

We just got back yesterday and it was a great trip. I fished some lakes I had not been in before and the Smallmouth were unbelievable. Crossing into Canada was a breeze ; no problems with groceries but I wish I had taken the weeks worth- it was certainly sticker shock at the store in Atikokan ( $3.69 for a can of soup, $ 3.79 for a 1/2 gallon of milk). Gas was $ 4.40 (US) per gallon. The Canadian hospitality was outstanding.

Getting back into the US was also easy. The customs people were very nice but I did give about a 10 minute tour of my trailer;wasn't really an inspection, one guy just really was interested in my trailer and I had great time showing him everything and answering his questions about it.