Crossing The Canadian Border

ELM-JLM

ELM-JLM

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2010
Posts
330
Location
Largo, Florida
Hi All,
We are planning a trip to Maine in July and are curious if anyone has info pertaining to crossing the border into Canada. We are in the process of getting our Passport Cards now.
Experiences and border crossing stories would be most helpful!
 
Wow, Thanks!

Thats awesome Scrubjay! It appears there are only a few crossings into New Brunswick so we'll likely stay close to the coast.

Next year we intend to go to Alaska so the website will help greatly as we plan our route! I believe I read that you have made the Alaska trip from Florida. Are there any tips that you can offer.
 
Strangest question asked at the border: "What was your great grandmother's maiden name?" My answer was "I have no idea" The officer's reply: "Have a nice day"

I guess if I had a ready answer that would have triggered a more rigorous discussion. They can ask any questions they want.
 
Hi there MisterP

I am still thinking about that question! LoL! I have no idea either! I never spent much time trying to figure out where I came from, To busy watching where I am going!:new_Eyecr
 
Actually, I know my ggm's maiden name - Tillotson. Wonder what would have happened if I blurted it out. My guess is that what they really want to see is your reaction to an unexpected question. I once took a polygraph for a DoD security clearance, and they used this tactic at the end of the session. I'd tell you what the question was, but this is a family forum (PM me if you want to get grossed out).

In my limited experience, it is harder to get back into the US than to get out. You must have a passport (or some similar specific irrefutable form of ID). Got a dog? You'll need a vet-signed certificate of health. Certificate of auto insurance? Yup. Got firewood? Toss it in the bin by the side of the building.

Of course, arriving in Maine, you may show up at the border in the evening, when the crossing is closed. The sign on the building will say "Come back at 8AM, or drive 20 miles east to the all-night crossing at West Burlap Station." But they leave the gate up ...

Bill
 
Don't try to carry any firearms into Canada. They will confiscate them. Fortunately I learned this before the trip.

Returning from Canada to the USA got a little hairy. We were waved through by the Canucks, and then stopped at the US border station. They took our new passports to look them over. Then they came out and asked my wife to go over to the office and sit on a bench.

They had me get out of the truck and go around to the rear of the camper. They stationed themselves at widely separated places behind me, unsnapped their holsters, and placed their hands on the butts of their pistols. :eek: Then they told me to open the door. When I did so and they could see that I had no passengers, they snapped their holsters closed and told us to get back in the truck.

One of the agents came up to the window and handed my wife the passports. He told us that we had failed to sign them. That was true. That was also what aroused their suspicions that something was wrong.

Tom
 
We have been to Canada 3 times. The first time we entered Detroit-Windsor. The Canadian asked how many guns we had. We answered none. She then said, "You are from Missouri and you don't have any guns?" Again, No. She asked, "How do you protect yourself?" My answer then was a question to her, "Do we need guns to visit Canada?" She said, "Have a nice visit."

The second visit we were re-entering at the International Peace Gardens at about 8AM. The Americans searched our car, even going thru our dirty laundry bag. We got to watch it all on tv.

The third visit we were coming back into Maine about 9PM. The American guard wanted to see in the back. DW had a quilt making business and we had purchased a lot of fabrics. He just wanted to know how we could afford so much cloth. We gave him her business card and he waved us on.

So we had no trouble but recommend you not buy any eagle claws from the Indians road side stands. I was going to make necklaces for the grandkids, but that is another story.
 
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Gr8 Stories!

Thank you all! These are what I was looking for. Preparedness and preventive maintenance are at the top of my list! I have read the gun laws and understand them. We likely will take a day trip across the border to site see! Maybe not if Maine is as beautiful as we expect it to be. We will get our share of Canadian site seeing when we head to Alaska next year!

Has anyone had to set up the TrailManor for search purposes?:confused:
 
Our family has been going back and forth across the border for generations, looking for work, on vacation, visiting family, going to funerals or whatever. And, yes, getting back into the States has become more troublesome, even with an American passport. But, with few exceptions, we've been treated with courtesy and respect on both sides of the border.

I'm not sure what the rules are, but to keep things simple we never bring any fresh food into the US, especially fruits, and fire wood (as mentioned) is not good in either direction. The Canadian border people are definitely worried about firearms, but I suspect that they're primarily looking for handguns or illegal weapons. We get a lot of Tennessee bear hunters up in North-Central Ontario, and I'm sure they bring their own hunting rifles.

Maine is nice but so is New Brunswick and the rest of the Canadian Maritimes (My grandmother came from Bangor Maine, and my grandfather from New Brunswick). But if you're looking for some thing really different, go to Quebec.
 
You can take long arms (rifles and shotguns) into Canada if you fill out a form and pay a fee. Everyone wants their cut.

We crossed a few years ago at a small crossing on the Vermont border with no issues. As others have mentioned, getting back in the U.S. is more of an issue, but we have never had any problems other than a long line.

Don't try to bring more than $10k in cash. :D Unfortunately, I have not learned that from experience.

Dave
 
LOL!:D, Having cash will never be an issue with us! Have CC will Travel is My Motto!

Do you all think the American Border Guards screw with Americans out of boredom or are they being professional?:new_argue
 
What are the rates for long rifles? As in a .22LR Remington? Didn't think that there would be a problem as long as they were declared. Not even thinking of taking a handgun across the border, but having a .22 makes me feel a bit better when out in the middle of nowhere. :)
 
tgpmd1 said:
What are the rates for long rifles? As in a .22LR Remington? Didn't think that there would be a problem as long as they were declared. Not even thinking of taking a handgun across the border, but having a .22 makes me feel a bit better when out in the middle of nowhere. :)
Click to expand...
Check out the link I gave in post 2 of this thread, Its to the Canadian Border crossing web site. Even gives estimated times for some crossings.
 
tgpmd1 said:
What are the rates for long rifles? As in a .22LR Remington? Didn't think that there would be a problem as long as they were declared. Not even thinking of taking a handgun across the border, but having a .22 makes me feel a bit better when out in the middle of nowhere. :)
Click to expand...

Yes, as in a .22 Remington. I believe the fee was about $50.

Specific info on non-residents bringing firearms into Canada is here (including the form):
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/information/visit/index-eng.htm

ELM-JLM said:
Do you all think the American Border Guards screw with Americans out of boredom or are they being professional?:new_argue
Click to expand...

I have crossed US/Canada and US/Mexico borders probably 15-20 times, and I have never encountered any unprofessional customs agents. I have found that treating them with a little extra respect ("Yes, sir" / "No, sir") and not taking a confrontational attitude, just like with any law enforcement officer, helps put them at ease. If you read up on what is required and prohibited ahead of time (i.e. take 15 min surfing the web), it will help make your experience uneventful.

Dave
 
ShrimpBurrito said:
............................snip..........................



I have crossed US/Canada and US/Mexico borders probably 15-20 times, and I have never encountered any unprofessional customs agents. I have found that treating them with a little extra respect ("Yes, sir" / "No, sir") and not taking a confrontational attitude, just like with any law enforcement officer, helps put them at ease. If you read up on what is required and prohibited ahead of time (i.e. take 15 min surfing the web), it will help make your experience uneventful.

Dave
Click to expand...
I agree with Dave, the big thing to remember is these people have two goals, keep the tourist happy while at the same time protect the country.

A job I would never want.
 
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