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Visiting Canada
As mentioned in prior posts, we were going to go to Canada to visit family near to Toronto.
Today was the day.
For the first time ever, we decided to cross at Sarnia (Port Huron) on 402.
We got to the border crossing around Noon time and went right up to the customs booth.
I stopped at the booth, switched off the engine (and took off the sunglasses before I got there),
Handed over our passports.
Customs Agent:
Where is your hometown?
MOULTONBORO, NH
Do you have guns on board?
NO
What is in the trailer?
OUR CAR, BICYCLES, KAYAKS AND DRY GOODS
How long will you stay in Canada?
3 WEEKS
Customs Agent:
Thank you! Enjoy your stay.
All of this took about 5 minutes.
I have posted about crossing into Canada a few times in the past. In about 30 years of going to Canada, we have never ever had a problem, whatsoever.
What I found interesting is, though, this time, no questions about drugs or alcohol.
We do not use or smoke drugs but we sure drink like fish.
If the agent had asked, I would have had to tell him that we had about 20 bottles of wine and about 80 cans of IPA beers on board.
Lucky us …
Anyways, contrary to some scary posts by other members, I do encourage you to not be scared away and to go and visit Canada. There are many, many beautiful places you can visit.
It is different from the US for sure and you will have to do your homework when it comes to selecting campgrounds.
BUT, it is a beautiful country!
🙂
Cheers,
Ronald
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6 Replies
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Thanks. Going in August. I’ve been a few times and, as I recall, it was harder to get back into the US than to get into Canada.
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Ronald
glad to hear you had a good experience we crossed into Canada about 4 times on our big trip about 5 years ago. Unfortunately they were all bad Niagra falls being the worst. Perhaps we had bad luck or they are addressing the situation
bill
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We have travelled to Canada every year for 20+ years via motorhome and never had a problem. The Canadian Rocky mountains in Alberta and BC is the most beautiful place on earth.
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Thanks for the kind words Ronald I have never had a problem crossing the border to the US or back into Canada even when I imported my Coach back to Canada it went smooth. Enjoy your stay and the dollar exchange is in your favour buy lots. If you get tired of Ontario head west to Alberta.
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As most know I am a boat captain, have traveled to Canada many times both by boat and RV’s. Canadian customs/immigrations has always been polite and professional in doing their job. On the other hand, the US customs/immigrations has usually been a PITA. I am American born citizen with no criminal history. As a professional merchant mariner I am required to have a complete state and federal background check every 5 years when renewing my credentials, which assist in a smooth clearance in EVERY country I have entered EXCEPT the USA (which are the ones that issue my credentials every 5 years).
Go see Canada, it beautiful and so are the people. As for the re-entry back to the USA, it’s a role of the dice “it is what it is”.
Chuck
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After boondocking at our in-laws ranch for 3 weeks, we have now returned to the USA by crossing again at Sarnia / Port Huron.
The US Customs & Immigration agent asked
1) How many people inside the RV ( 2 and 1 dog )
2) How long did you stay in Canada and why? (3 weeks for a family visit / graduation party)
3) Do you have alcohol on board? (Yes, plenty, for personal consumption. About 40 cans of IPA beers and 20 or so bottles of wine).
Border Agent:
Thank you! Enjoy your travels.
Time elapsed … 5 minutes or less.
Strangely enough, he did not ask whether we had guns on board …
Cheers,
Ronald
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