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TIPS FOR TRAVELERS TO CANADA
NOTE: US Travelers PLEASE READ THIS LINK, you are responsible for required documentations to travel into Canada. http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html We hope this information will help you avoid problems, but if you should need
assistance as a result of an accident, illness, or even the loss of your
passport, our Embassy in Ottawa and Consulates General in Halifax, Quebec City,
Montreal, Toronto, Calgary, and Vancouver are there to assist you. U.S.
Department of State -
Consular Information Sheet
– Canada How to
get through Canadian Customs by car: Here's
how:
1. Leave all weapons at home.
This includes guns, knives, switchblades, pepper spray, nun-chucks and mace. All
are illegal in Canada unless you have copious amounts of paperwork.
2.
As you approach the customs compound shut down as much noise as possible;
turn off the radio, CD player, remove headphones, turn off the cell phone, ask
the kids to stop fighting for five minutes
3.
Unless they are prescription, remove your sunglasses. If they are
prescription and you have a clear pair handy, change them for the few minutes it
will take you to clear customs
4.
Have proof of citizenship and residency available. If you are a citizen
of the USA or Mexico, they may not even ask for the papers. Any other
citizenship, have your documents ready for inspection.
5.
Answer all of the questions politely and without asking for justification
for the question.
6.
If requested to move to one side for an inspection, don't take it
personally, you may just be the 5th blue vehicle and are being inspected at
random
7.
Do not make any jokes or sarcastic remarks about Canada, guns, drugs,
French accents, tobacco or alcohol. Sarcasm is lost on Customs officials; they
take EVERYTHING seriously.
8.
Obey all speed limits and restrictions while in the border compound.
Tips: Customs officials have a difficult job to do. Don't make it any harder for them, or they can make it VERY difficult for you. Customs
officials have the power to impound your vehicle on suspicion alone. They can
also take the car apart searching for suspected contraband. If they do not find
anything, they may or may not apologize
MEDICAL
ADVICE Insurance Double check
that your insurance policy covers you during your time in Canada. Consider
purchasing supplemental or other insurance if your own policy is not enough. You
may wish to check with your health insurance company to ensure that your policy
includes coverage for medical evacuations to the United States as well as escort
to the United States, hospitalization abroad, premature birth abroad, and other
coverage for a beneficiary who is involved in an accident or illness outside the
United States. Carry details of your insurance plan with you (and leave a copy
with a relative or friend at home). Medication If you are
entering Canada with prescription drugs and syringes used for medical reasons,
be sure to keep the medication in its original and labeled container to avoid
problems. Syringes should be accompanied by a medical certificate that shows
they are for medical use and should be declared to Canadian Customs officials.
It may also be wise to carry with you an extra prescription from your doctor in
the event your medication is lost or stolen and to attest to your need to take
such prescriptions.
Traveling
by Car U.S. citizens
do not need to obtain an international driver's license to drive in Canada. Your
valid U.S. license is good for trips in Canada as long as you are a visitor and
are actually resident in the U.S. Should you wish information on provincial
traffic laws, please contact the Department of Transport, Motor Vehicle Division
of the particular province you wish to visit. You may also contact the American
Automobile Association (AAA) or Canadian Automobile Association (CAA.ca)
if you are a member. AAA members are covered by the CAA while traveling in
Canada. Be sure to carry proof of your car insurance. Drunk
Driving Driving under
the influence of alcohol is a serious offence. Penalties are heavy, and any
prior conviction (no matter how long ago or how minor the infraction) is cause
for exclusion from Canada. A waiver of exclusion may be obtained from a Canadian
consulate in the United States, but several weeks are required. There is a
processing fee for the waiver.
Border
Crossing Crossing the
border into Canada can be a major non-event as part of your overall trip. If you
have ever crossed international borders in Europe or Asia, you will be
pleasantly surprised at the ease of the transaction by comparison. While our
borders are friendly, they do have rather strict rules and regulations as to
what you can bring into Canada. Best rule of thumb, do a little reading first,
and be prepared to declare everything to our friendly Customs officials. If you
don't follow the rules they can get very nasty.
Be Prepared Before you
arrive, please ensure that you have picture identification, proof of residence
and proof of citizenship. A passport issued by your home country, supported by
one other piece of picture identification is usually sufficient. Visitors from
some countries require visas to enter Canada, either directly or indirectly from
their home country Please be sure this is taken care of before you leave home,
because it cannot be done at the border.
Making a
Declaration When you cross
the border into Canada whether it is by foot, boat, airplane train bus or car
the process is similar. Canadian Customs officials will ask your place of
residence (country and city) the purpose of your visit to Canada, how long you
intend to stay, and if you have anything to declare. You may be asked
specifically if you are bringing alcohol, tobacco, fruit, vegetables, animals or
items made from animal by-products, firearms or personal protection devices into
Canada. Canada customs agents may ask a number of other questions relating to
your visit, but overall you will find they are very friendly, efficient and
professional. Currency,
Postage and Taxes
Our coins are the copper colored 1 cent (penny), silver colored
5 cents (nickel), 10 cents (dime), and 25 cents (quarter), brass colored $1.00 (loonie),
and the $2.00 (toonie) which is made of two different colored metals and quite
unique. Canada has paper money where each bill is a different color. We have the
$5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills in common usage. $1,000 bills are available
from banks, but are not in common circulation. Canadian postage must be used on
all mail posted in Canada. To mail a letter or postcard within Canada, it will
cost you 47 cents, plus tax. To mail the same item to the USA, it will cost
you 60 cents plus tax, anywhere else in the world, it will cost $1.05 plus
tax.
Laws
It is important to respect the laws
of Canada while you are a guest in Canada.
Drugs
Penalties for possession, use, and
dealing in illegal drugs are strict in Canada. Convicted offenders can expect
jail sentences and fines.
Driving in Canada
Just two things to watch for:
1. Gasoline prices are advertised
in LITERS (about one quart American). You will still spend $20.00 or more to
fill up the tank. 2. Speed limits and distances are in KILOMETERS - Please don’t try to go 50 MILES per hour through downtown Kingston. The RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Federal Police) have no sense of humor when it involves speeding.
Seat belts The use of seat belts by vehicle drivers and all passengers is required in Canada.
Automobile Radar Detectors It is illegal to take automobile radar detectors into the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba or into the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The police will confiscate radar detectors, whether in use or not, and may impose fines up to $1000.
Speed conversions: (1Km =
0.621 Miles)
30KPH = 20MPH (School
Zone Speed)
40KPH = 25MPH
50KPH = 30MPH (Urban
Speed Limit)
60KPH = 35MPH
80KPH = 50MPH (Most
Highways)
110KPH = 70MPH (Top Speed
on Special Highways) RETURNING
TO THE U.S. A
To re-enter the United States,
returning U.S. citizens need to show the Immigration and Naturalization Service
officer proof of identity and citizenship, such as a passport, birth
certificate, or certificate of naturalization (for citizenship) and photo
identification (such as a driver's license) for identity. A U.S. passport is
proof of both citizenship and identity. Persons who are dual nationals should
enter using U.S. documents only, as they could be fined under U.S. law for
entering the U.S. on a foreign passport.
U.S.
Customs
Articles acquired abroad and
brought back with you into the United States are subject to duty and internal
revenue tax. As a returning U.S. resident, you are allowed to bring back $400
worth of merchandise duty free. However, you must have been outside the U.S. for
at least 48 hours, and you must not have used this exemption within the
preceding 30-day period. The next $1,000 worth of items you bring back with you
for personal use or gifts are dutiable at a flat 10 percent rate. Any dollar
amount of an article or articles over $1000 is subject to variable duties.
There is no limit on the total
amount of money that may be brought into or taken out of the United States, nor
is it illegal to do so. However, if you transport or cause to be transported
(including by mail or other means) more than $10,000 in monetary instruments on
any occasion into or out of the United States, or if you receive more than that
amount, you must file a report (Customs form 4790) with U.S. Customs. Failure to
comply can result in civil and criminal penalties, including seizure of the
currency or monetary instruments. Monetary instruments include U.S. or foreign
coin, currency, traveler's checks, money orders, and negotiable instruments or
investment securities in bearer form.
Restrictions of Food, Plant, and Animal Products
Citrus
products of any origin are prohibited. Most other products produced or grown in
Canada are allowed. This includes vegetables, fruits other than black currants;
and meat and dressed poultry, if accompanied by proof of origin or labeled as a
product of Canada.
OTHER
USEFUL LINKS
·
Car Insurance Advice for Visitors
·
Fly Smart
·
Tax Refund for Canadian Visitors
·
Travel Insurance Checklist
·
U.S. Travelers to Canada
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