NON GMC Crossing into Canada

marlene meineken

New member
Aug 10, 1999
1,859
0
0
I have family and friends staying here who are going to cross the US border
into Canada at Creston from Idaho in a few days on there way to Alaska.
Just to be prepared what are the border guards going to ask and is there
anything they should know in advance?
Thanks, Marlene M.
 
>
> I have family and friends staying here who are going to cross the US border
> into Canada at Creston from Idaho in a few days on there way to Alaska.
> Just to be prepared what are the border guards going to ask and is there
> anything they should know in advance?
> Thanks, Marlene M.

They will likely want to see:
Proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport)
Proof of valid liability insurance in Canada
Vehicle title
Enough liquid assets (or a gold or platinum credit card) so
the vehicle doesn't become a ward of the gov't

Walt Taylor
Austin, TX
 
US Citizens from Arizona just going for a month or so on vacation to
Alaska.
Marlene

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Marlene Meineken
To: GMC
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2000 3:19 PM
Subject: GMC: NON GMC Crossing into Canada

> I have family and friends staying here who are going to cross the US
border
> into Canada at Creston from Idaho in a few days on there way to Alaska.
> Just to be prepared what are the border guards going to ask and is there
> anything they should know in advance?
> Thanks, Marlene M.
>
>
 
>I have family and friends staying here who are going to cross the US border
>into Canada at Creston from Idaho in a few days on there way to Alaska.
>Just to be prepared what are the border guards going to ask and is there
>anything they should know in advance?
>Thanks, Marlene M.

Last time we went to Canada was in 1998 across the Washington state
border. No problem getting into Canada. They mainly were concerned
whether we had any guns. We had a much harder time getting back into
the US. The US border guards told me that I should have a passport
with me in the future to get back in. In years past it was never a
problem. I decided to avoid the hassle and carry my passport with me
from now on.

If they don't have a passport they should carry a driver's liscense,
voter's registration info if possible, even a birth certificate if
they have it. They might want to stop on the US side and talk with
the US people before leaving the US to see what they say about
re-entry.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
 
I have gotten everything from a wave through without a word being exchanged
to a full tear down of my car (luckily not GMC). The latter including taking
the spare tire off the rim, removing the bottom of the dash and going
through every bag, box, and audio cassette case. I figure they must have had
a tip about a car like mine.

For the most part it has been, where are you from, are you a citizen, what
is the purpose of your trip, any alcohol or tobacco, have a nice day.

Tony Bad

- ----- Original Message -----
From: Marlene Meineken
To: GMC
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2000 6:19 PM
Subject: GMC: NON GMC Crossing into Canada

> I have family and friends staying here who are going to cross the US
border
> into Canada at Creston from Idaho in a few days on there way to Alaska.
> Just to be prepared what are the border guards going to ask and is there
> anything they should know in advance?
> Thanks, Marlene M.
>
>
 
>>
>> I have family and friends staying here who are going to cross the US
border
>> into Canada at Creston from Idaho in a few days on there way to Alaska.
>> Just to be prepared what are the border guards going to ask and is there
>> anything they should know in advance?
>> Thanks, Marlene M.
>
>They will likely want to see:
>Proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport)
>Proof of valid liability insurance in Canada
>Vehicle title
>Enough liquid assets (or a gold or platinum credit card) so
>the vehicle doesn't become a ward of the gov't
>
>Walt Taylor
>Austin, TX
>

Another thing they will ask,

Do you have any alcohol or firearms. They are a no-no.
well, booze in a small amount is ok ..
 
And from what I've heard they won't be wanting to see any firearms...

Travis

> >
> > I have family and friends staying here who are going to cross the US
border
> > into Canada at Creston from Idaho in a few days on there way to Alaska.
> > Just to be prepared what are the border guards going to ask and is there
> > anything they should know in advance?
> > Thanks, Marlene M.
>
> They will likely want to see:
> Proof of citizenship (birth certificate, passport)
> Proof of valid liability insurance in Canada
> Vehicle title
> Enough liquid assets (or a gold or platinum credit card) so
> the vehicle doesn't become a ward of the gov't
>
> Walt Taylor
> Austin, TX
 
Marlene,

Just to reiterate Emery's advice - both firearms and mace are contraband and
the Canadians don't take that lightly. On re-entry, tobacco and alcohol
products(Cuban imports are still specifically banned) should be declared.

My last trip was a ride over to Nova Scotia on the "Cat" Ferry out of Bar
Harbor. On both sides we never got out of the car or even turned off the
ignition. The Canadians asked our destination, reason for visiting, how
long we were planning to stay, any firearms or mace and wished us a nice
visit. The U.S. asked how long we had been out of the country, if we were
citizens, our place of residence, the value of merchandise we had purchased
and were bringing into the states, and any alcohol or tobacco products.
Neither side asked for any ID. On the Canadian side we saw two RV's and a
van being taken apart tho'.

Best advice is to be completely candid and truthful with the Customs
personnel. These are highly trained professionals and I doubt many of us
have the acting skills to pull one over on them.

It should be a great time of the year for their trip. Wish I was going.

Patrick

>
> US Citizens from Arizona just going for a month or so on vacation to
> Alaska.
> Marlene
 
>
> Last time we went to Canada was in 1998 across the Washington state
> border. No problem getting into Canada. They mainly were concerned
> whether we had any guns. We had a much harder time getting back into
> the US. The US border guards told me that I should have a passport
> with me in the future to get back in. In years past it was never a
> problem. I decided to avoid the hassle and carry my passport with me
> from now on.

Interesting... On the three trips I've made outside the U.S., once to
Canada and twice to the Bahamas, I've never even been asked for I.D., much
less my passport. We've always carried all kinds of paperwork just in
case(including "certified" birth certificates for the girls), but have never
needed it.

Probably depends a lot on what kind of day the customs agent is having.

Patrick
 
> Marlene,
>
> Just to reiterate Emery's advice - both firearms and
> mace are contraband and
> the Canadians don't take that lightly. On re-entry,
> tobacco and alcohol
> products(Cuban imports are still specifically
> banned) should be declared.
>
Also citris fruit. For some reason going into
Washington state from BC, they confiscated all our
oranges and lemons even tho they had been purchased in
the states. This was two years ago.

Jim
75PB in MN

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get Yahoo! Mail - Free email you can access from anywhere!
http://mail.yahoo.com/
 
For what its worth!!!
I went B.C earlier in the year and was advised to only use the shortest
answer possible such as yes / no/ 2 days etc etc. when asked questions
by the Canadian border guards. We went right through..... I tried to get
in to Waterton Park last year from Glacier park and when ask if I was going
to buy sell anything I jokingly said that depends on the deal! Wrong thing
to say. They tore our vehicle apart and was harrassed by the guard then
went through an 1 1/2 hour interview with a female border guard that looked
the age of 14. Asked of my crimminal history of which I had a DUI 28 years
ago (in the US) and they then wanted a $150 bribe to pardon my DUI from 28
years ago before they would let us go in. I must say that British
Columbia was one of the most beustiful places I've been.
Daniel Jacquot
Sheridan WY

- -----Original Message-----
From: Nuevomex
To: gmcmotorhome
Date: Friday, June 30, 2000 7:31 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: NON GMC Crossing into Canada

>I crossed into Canada with two of my sons and my niece who was about 12 at
>the time. Fortunately I had signed permission from my brother, her dad, to
>take his daughter out of the country. Even still, they had me stop, come
>inside with the kids and they asked her some questions. Very interesting,
the
>Canadian border waiting room. Many, many different sorts! So, if by chance
>any of your family and friends are under age and traveling without their
>parents then it might be a good idea to get a signed permission. Susan
 
That must be a Washington thing. My parents had that happen entering
Washington from Idaho about twenty years ago.

Patrick

Jim Melberg
> >
> Also citris fruit. For some reason going into
> Washington state from BC, they confiscated all our
> oranges and lemons even tho they had been purchased in
> the states. This was two years ago.
 
>
>Also citris fruit. For some reason going into
>Washington state from BC, they confiscated all our
>oranges and lemons even tho they had been purchased in
>the states. This was two years ago.
>
>Jim
>75PB in MN

This has been the law for years. Several years ago, we had bought
some limes in NY state and had them in the refrigerator and then went
across to Niagra Falls, Canada for the day and when we returned to
the states, US Cutoms searched our refrigerator and took out 4 limes
and even though we said we bought them in the states they would not
let us keep them. No Marguiritas that night (except maybe the
customs guy used ours!)

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
 
Family and friends are on there way to Canada, left this morning .
Thanks to all of you for the tips on entering and exiting Canada.
Marlene
- ----- Original Message -----
From: Emery L. Stora
To:
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2000 11:24 AM
Subject: RE: GMC: NON GMC Crossing into Canada

> >
> >Also citris fruit. For some reason going into
> >Washington state from BC, they confiscated all our
> >oranges and lemons even tho they had been purchased in
> >the states. This was two years ago.
> >
> >Jim
> >75PB in MN
>
> This has been the law for years. Several years ago, we had bought
> some limes in NY state and had them in the refrigerator and then went
> across to Niagra Falls, Canada for the day and when we returned to
> the states, US Cutoms searched our refrigerator and took out 4 limes
> and even though we said we bought them in the states they would not
> let us keep them. No Marguiritas that night (except maybe the
> customs guy used ours!)
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Santa Fe, NM
>
 
Hi Marlene
Crossing into Canada at Creston is a bit of a non-event. Creston is one of
the sleepier border crossings.

They will be asked:
1 - what is you citizenship ('Merican) (carry a birth certificate, passport,
or drivers license if possible but they probably won't be asked for it)
3 - What is your business in Canada (visiting, holidays, shortcut to Alaska,
or ?)
3 - are you bringing any alcohol into Canada (No) (you are allowed 2 liters
I think)
4 - do you have any firearms (No) (and don't even think about it)
5 - are you intending to leave any goods in Canada (No)
6 - Welcome to Canada

Don't lie about items 3 and 5 unless you want the items seized by customs
and/or want to be sent back to the US.

Don't lie about item 4 unless you like being in jail. Customs is very
narrow minded about people bringing guns into Canada unless they are going
to a shooting competition or something similar. If you try importing a
handgun you will be filling out forms until 2003, you should be able to
complete all necessary forms for long guns by 2002.

Dave Mumert
dave

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Marlene Meineken"
To: "GMC"
Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2000 4:19 PM
Subject: GMC: NON GMC Crossing into Canada

> I have family and friends staying here who are going to cross the US
border
> into Canada at Creston from Idaho in a few days on there way to Alaska.
> Just to be prepared what are the border guards going to ask and is there
> anything they should know in advance?
> Thanks, Marlene M.
>
 
To All,
The FMCA Magazine for this month has a great article on RV in Canada.
Gives all the ins and outs.

>
> If these people are pet people I hear they need the
> documents for the pets, owners papers and shot
> records.
>
> Terry the wannabe
>
> =====
> >From the desk of Terry Doukas
>
> http://tadoukas.homepage.com/
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Kick off your party with Yahoo! Invites.
> http://invites.yahoo.com/

- --
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLakers
77 Eleganza II
Michigan