The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds travellers who will cross the Canadian border of the following:
Carry appropriate
identification - All travellers entering Canada are required to provide proof of citizenship. A passport is ideal and will be necessary
in 2008, however we will accept the following documents if presented with valid photo identification: birth certificate, permanent
resident card, record of landing, or Certificate of Indian Status.
Carry identification for all children travelling with you,
regardless of their age - Our officers watch for missing children and may ask detailed questions about the children who are travelling
with you. If you have legal custody of the child(ren) or if you share custody, have copies of relevant legal documents, such as custody
rights. If you are not the custodial parent or not the parent or legal guardian of the child(ren), carry a letter of permission or
authorization for you to have custody when entering Canada. A letter would also facilitate entry for any one parent travelling with
their child(ren). This permission should contain contact telephone numbers for the parent or legal guardian. If you are travelling
as part of a group of vehicles, be sure that you are in the same vehicle as your child(ren) when you arrive at the border.
Keep
all of your receipts handy - Officers may ask you to show receipts for the goods you’ve purchased and your hotel receipts to verify
the length of your stay outside Canada. To avoid unnecessary delays, keep receipts together and readily accessible.
Duties
and taxes must be paid – You are required to declare all goods purchased or received while outside of the country when you return
to Canada. You will be required to pay any applicable duties and/or taxes at that time. U.S. or Canadian funds, Travellers
Cheques, Visa, Mastercard or debit are accepted methods of payment. Depending on the length of your absence from Canada, you
may be entitled to certain personal exemptions. For more information on personal exemptions, visit: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4044/rc4044-e.html.
Certain
plant and animal products are prohibited from entering Canada - Many travellers are unaware that products such as meat, live birds,
plants and fruit can harbour diseases and pests, which can harm Canada’s agricultural industry and environment. The requirements,
restrictions, and limits that apply to importing meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, and other food
from around the world into Canada are complex. You can avoid problems by not bringing such goods into Canada. You can import
some meat and dairy products from certain states in the United States. It is recommended that you contact a Canadian Food Inspection
Agency (CFIA) Import Service Centre web site at www.inspection.gc.ca. before you bring them with you.
Travelling with family
pets – Your cat or dog travelling with you should have a veterinarian’s certificate, issued in the last 3 years, identifying the animal
in detail. The certificate should list which vaccinations the animal has received and if it is over 3 months old, it must have
a valid rabies inoculation. Your pet must also appear to be in good health. For information about importing other animals, please
visit: www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/import/petse.shtml.
Firearms - Canada's firearms laws will help make Canada safer
for both residents and visitors. You must declare all firearms and weapons, including mace and pepper spray, at Customs when
you enter Canada. If you do not declare all firearms and weapons, we will seize them and you could face criminal charges and a monetary
fine. You will be required to present documents to prove that you are entitled to possess and transport a firearm in Canada, and you
will have to transport it safely. The best advice is to leave your firearms at home while visiting Canada. For information
about importing a firearm, visit: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4227/rc4227-e.html.
Plan your trip and be patient - Wait
times at border crossings may be longer in the summer months than average wait times. Try to plan your trip to avoid arriving
at the border at peak times, such as one and half hours before and after the lunch hour, between 4 and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and 12
to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. For the latest information on border wait times, visit www.cbsa.gc.ca before you leave.
Admissibility
to Canada - Canada’s Immigration laws prohibits the admission of people who pose a threat to public health, safety, order, and national
security. Prior to attempting a border crossing, individuals who have had a criminal conviction in the past, including impaired
driving convictions, must contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate well in advance to determine their admissibility as visitors
to Canada. If found inadmissible, you will be advised whether a waiver (Minister’s Permit) is possible for temporary admission
to Canada. For more information, call or visit the Canadian consulates in Buffalo, Detroit or Minneapolis.
Americans travelling
to Canada – In addition to the information provided above, U.S. residents visiting Canada may also want to consult the U.S. Department
of State’s web site at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1170.html, which offers a wide range of helpful travel
tips as well as U.S. Consulate locations.
For more information about these travel tips, call 1-800-461-9999 (toll free), or visit
CBSA’s web site: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/south-e.html.
