Border Crossing
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS CHECK FOR UPDATED INFORMATION
FROM THE REFERENCES GIVEN BELOW.
Entry into Canada
American citizens must present proof of citizenship, such as a birth
certificate, citizenship card, naturalization card or photo identification
(such as a driver's licence), in order to enter Canada. If you are a
permanent resident of the United States, you must bring your Permanent
Residency Card with you. Visitors from other countries must be in
possession of a valid national passport.
When travelling with children, parent(s) or guardian must carry each
child's birth certificate. When only one parent is travelling with the
child(ren), he or she should carry written permission from the other
parent. Divorced parents who share custody should also carry copies
of the legal custody documents. Adults who are not parents or guardians
should have written permission from parents or guardians to supervise
the children.
For more information about entry into Canada, please visit Canada
Welcomes You and the Canada
Border Services Agency web sites.
Notice to US Visitors
Beginning January 15, 2007, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling
by air between the United States and Canada will be required to present
a valid passport.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including U.S. citizens,
traveling between the U.S. and Canada by land or sea (including ferries),
may be required to present a valid passport. For updates please visit
the US
Department of State.
Entry with a Criminal Record
Those admissible to Canada must NOT have a criminal record; this includes
any convictions for driving while intoxicated. A waiver
of exclusion (http://travel.state.gov/index.html) may be obtained
from a Canadian consulate in the United States, but several weeks are
required, there is a processing fee for the waiver.
Bringing Firearms into Canada
Generally, revolvers, pistols, fully automatic firearms and other weapons
and self-defence spray (e.g. mace, pepper spray) are prohibited entry
in Canada. Non-residents who wish to bring firearms into Canada for
the purpose of pleasure hunting, but do not have a Canadian firearm
permit must fill out the Non-resident
Firearm Declaration Form. The duly completed form must then be presented
to a customs officer. All firearms must be declared.
Hunters who are transporting firearms across the border are to make
sure that their guns are calibrated properly, properly stored for transportation
and that all ammunition is separate from the firearms. For more information
on bringing firearms into Canada contact the Canadian
Firearms Centre.
Tax Reimbursement for Visitors
Upon leaving Canada, you have the right to be reimbursed for the taxes
you paid on goods bought in Canada if these are taken outside the country
within 60 days of purchase.
For information on the federal tax (GST, or TPS) contact:
Canada Revenue Agency
1-800-668-4748 (toll free from anywhere in Canada) or
902-432-5608
Bringing Pets into Canada
Dogs and cats from the United States must be accompanied by a certificate
(in English or French) prepared and signed by a licensed veterinarian
of Canada or the United States certifying that the animal has been vaccinated
against rabies during the preceding 36 months. There is no waiting period
between the time the animal is vaccinated against rabies and is imported
into Canada. For more information contact the Canadian
Food Inspection Agency at 1-888-732-6222.
Emergency Information
In emergency situations, contact the local police, ambulance service,
fire department and other emergency services by dialing 911, a free
call from any telephone. The news media and many tourist facilities
cooperate with the RCMP to communicate urgent messages to visitors.
If you see or hear your name, please phone the number given.
If you are a visitor to Canada, you should clarify what coverage your
personal insurance carrier provides before you leave your home country
and, if necessary, obtain additional health insurance before coming
to Canada.
Measurement
Canada uses the metric system. The following conversions may be useful:
1 Canadian gallon = 4.5 litres
1 American gallon = 3.8 litres
1 Miles = 0.6 Kilometres
86°F=30°C
68°F=20°C
If you double the Celsius and add 32, this will give you a quick general
calculation from Celsius to Fahrenheit
For more information on customs offices and regulations when entering
Canada, visit the the Canada
Border Services Agency's web site or, call 1-800-461-9999 (toll-free
within Canada), or 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064 from outside Canada
(long-distance charges apply).