Tips for a Stress Free Border Crossing by Car or RV
Crossing the USA/Canada border by plane has become old hat to me. What the border crossing be like in a car, though, I had no idea.
Crossing in a car proved to be both easier and more stressful all at the same time. Since we usually cross in a car with a trailer in tow, we have much more to declare in the food department. Here are some suggestions to make your border crossing easier and less stressful!
While this is written from the point of view of a Canadian resident, there is information that will be helpful to any traveller crossing the border!
General Border Crossing Tips (not specific to USA or Canada):
- While you are packing, make a list of all the meat, fruit, vegetable, alcohol and tobacco products that will be crossing the border. More information is always better than less. If you have it written down and can hand it to the agent, they are less likely to assume you are hiding something and request to search your vehicle.
- Have your passports ready for everyone in your vehicle. If you have kids in the back seat, roll down the back window as they will want to see them.
- Talk to your children before driving up to the agent. Let them know that this is a serious matter and that turning off electronics and being quiet is essential. Also explain that agents often talk to the children in the vehicle. Remind them that they should answer politely but keep their answers to the questions asked.
- Have a travel letter for any children who are not traveling with both of their parents.
- Have vaccination records for any pets traveling with you.
Going to the USA:
- Research what food you can and cannot take in to the US before you pack. If you are unsure, give the border crossing you will be using a call. Each crossing follows the rules of the state it is in. Different states have different rules about what fruits and vegetables can be brought in to their borders.
Returning to Canada:
- If you are pulling a trailer, have your license plate number handy as the agent will probably ask for it (their cameras can't take a pic of your license plate if you are pulling a trailer). If you forget, it is on your registration which you likely have on hand in your car.
- Research what food you can and cannot take in to Canada before you pack. If you are unsure, give the border crossing you will be using a call.
- Know how much you can bring back to Canada. Currently it is $800 per person after 48 hours outside of Canada (24-48 hours away has a limit of $200). Make sure to have a list of what you are bringing back under your exemption and a total amount. Keep in mind that border guards are trained to see things such as new tires so don't try to slip them by without telling them (they can have your car disassembled to look for other parts that have been changed and not declared....so not worth it).
- Realize that alcohol and tobacco have different rules for how much you can bring back. Any extras may incur duty and taxes.
- You must claim the value of any auto or trailer repairs you have done in the USA as part of your exemption if they were done to increase the value. Emergency repairs are exempt.
In the end, when in doubt...ask and if you think you shouldn't do it....don't.
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Great tips! I'd also add, remember the agents are there to help keep everything above board and safe for everyone -- they're not your enemy. If you don't have anything to hide, there's no reason to get nervous or intimidated.
Exactly, Elizabeth!
Right you are! Documentation is a big thing. Not only having it, but having it ready. If you are at any of the bigger crossings you've probably had plenty of time to sit in your vehicle while waiting in line so there is no reason to not have your paperwork ready.
Couple other things I have come across:
- Keep pet food in the original container/bag. This was big during the mad cow crisis, but sometimes they like to verify the ingredients in the food and want to see the original packaging.
- Remove your sunglasses so the border agent can see your eyes. It allows them to read your expressions and shows you aren't hiding anything,
- Only answer the question asked. I had a border agent get snipping with me once because I was asked about the "fruits and vegetables" I was carrying across and I used that opportunity to also mention some of the meat I had...
LOL. Dan, your comment made me remember early travels across the border with my husband. He HATED that I chatted with the officers. He kept telling me "ONLY ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THEY ASK!" It is a good practice for sure.
It's also worth noting that you cannot add your per person limit and get one huge item as a family. As in, if there are two of you, and you have a $1600 TV, you are still going to be $800 over.
In theory, that is true. However, when we came through they asked for our total dollar amount being brought back. It was around $1800. They did not ask for us to break that down per person or even what it included. We did specifically mention that part of it was tires. We didn't pay any duty or taxes.
Another for when you are traveling with pets:
Make sure to have their vaccination records on hand, the agents may want to see proof of rabies vaccination etc.
And if you do get asked to go inside, be polite. The agents aren't being jerks, you were following the laws or were picked by random. Take a deep breath and get through it. Besides you might see something exciting like the drug sniffing dogs or the agents dismantle a car.
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Don't think that you can say, eat the offending fruit/veg and be okay with the peels in your car. I know at the Peace Arch border crossing over here near Vancouver, there are no garbage cans while you wait in the line up. We told the US border guards immediately because we knew we couldn't take them across the border and had tried to dispose of them. The guards were VERY VERY unfriendly and circled the car, barking orders at us.
Throw away the offending fruit, veg, and any peels before you get near the border.
What papers do I need to bring trailer across the Border to go from Montreal to Virginia . Does a trailer need registration? Does it need insurance? I'm going to buy an old trailer and don't know the law
I've never done it so I'm not sure but here is a page that looks like it has info that will help. https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/415/~/permanently-importing-a-trailer-into-the-u.s. Good luck!
The link you provided "food you can and cannot take in to the US before you pack" does not list any food
I'll have a look. Note that I wrote this in 2013 and at that time it did.
Fixed. It was one click from the original link.
I am planning a trip from Calgary down to Wyoming. I have never traveled across the border with trailer before, Can we take propane cylinders? Do you know or have recommendations about staying in National parks or National Forests?
Yes you can take propane cylinders no problem. I don't have any suggestions for national parks other than I would book ahead if going in summer.
It's been a few years since we crossed in a motorhome, but they came inside and inspected. We weren't too concerned about it.
They have never come into ours. I think knowing the rules and being prepared means you can rest easy!
Thank you for these tips! We are going to be living in an RV full-time and Canadia is one of the places we want to see. I had no idea it was soo much to cross the border. Thanks for the heads up so I can be prepared!
Oh wow! Such a huge of information and I am thankful to know about this. I will definitely keep these in mind.