Advice crossing the USA/Canada Border

[brn2ride]

Myself and some friends have a vacation planned this season to sled in Revelstoke; part of an annual snowmobiling trip we take somewhere different each year. I was curious if anyone has had some experience hauling their sleds across the USA/Canada border.

As I have been thinking about it, I don't want to drive 10+ hours and be missing some info and not get across. I got an email from the border agents and they said somethings about a security deposit? Anyway, any tips and suggestions on crossing ie. documentation, how long it takes, additional tips, and anything else I need to know.

THANKS!

 

[Steelman]

Myself and some friends have a vacation planned this season to sled in Revelstoke; part of an annual snowmobiling trip we take somewhere different each year. I was curious if anyone has had some experience hauling their sleds across the USA/Canada border.

As I have been thinking about it, I don't want to drive 10+ hours and be missing some info and not get across. I got an email from the border agents and they said somethings about a security deposit? Anyway, any tips and suggestions on crossing ie. documentation, how long it takes, additional tips, and anything else I need to know.

THANKS!

Get a hold of Christopher on here and he will be able to help you. They went up there last year for the 1st annual Canada SnoWest ride.

 

[94fordguy]

Be sure to have your passports handy, licenses, all documentation for your vehicle/trailer/sleds, etc... answer all questions truthfully and directly and don't try to take something your not supposed to. Just remember that their job is to screen good folks from bad and they take their jobs extremely seriously (no sense of humor). Generally speaking it doesn't take too long to get across in winter the times I have gone... 10-15 mins or less typically.

 

[JDen]

I think typically people overthink it. Yes, it's great to plan ahead, but I'm sure its not as crazy as some people make it sound. I go dirt biking in the US every year(from Canada), I take my truck, camper, dirt bikes and quad on trailer behing camper, and I don't take even one peice of paper pertaining to the bikes, just regitration for truck, both trailers, and passport. Not saying this will work for me forever, but I've never had an issue doing this 5 yearrs in a row. I imported a bike a few weeks ago and had a good chat while I was in there, and they basically said if I want to have my bases covered, have the bill of sale with me when i cross the border(and/or title if it's a US based item).

 

[MORSNO]

Take 94fordguy's advice. I live in Alaska and have done the USA/Canada/USA trip 3 times without any issues. Have your passport's, registrations, etc and be truthfull. Do not carry any handguns to the border, even though they may be legal across the states, they are not allowed to cross with you. I've never had really long wait's at the border either, 15-20 minutes mostly cattle trucks. For me the biggest a-holes were on the American side coming into Alaska.

 

[Twostroke]

all you need to remember is to hit the duty free story before crossing, booze and beer is MUCH cheaper.

been up to BC the last two winters to ride, both times never had a word mentioned to us about our sleds either way, just the normal, who are you, where you from, where and why are you going. The second time I had just bought mine new to me sled and it was still in someone elses name and out of state tags and they never blinked an eye.. But they did dig under the sled deck for a while, they just found empty beer cans and crushed dreams there though.

 

[OrangeKowJumper]

One of the things to consider is criminal records that anyone may have. ..I had a buddy going fishing up on the Canadian side this spring and when they ran his name it came up that he had a simple assault charge from back in 1992 or 93. ...guess what .. . they didn't let him across. . .had to rearrange his group so they could all still fish but rotating some going across while others stayed on the US side with Russ. . .. he felt like crap about it but wasn't anything he even considered being so long ago and pretty minor. .. . ..not sure if they dig that hard all the time but in his case they did ...I guess there's an application he can send in to have that addressed and regain his entry privileges but that was after the fact .. ..

 

[Hotlips]

Have all documentation available but when you get to the border give them your passports only... They will ask for any other documents they need. I passed through 70 times last season and only was asked for registration a handful of times. Keep it simple declare what you have and if they want more give it to them. It really is a simple task to cross the border... Unless the ones your traveling with have a record. As visitors to their country it is our responsibility to know the laws in Canada... So freshen up on them.

 

[94fordguy]

As was mentioned above, I also have almost always experienced more 'attitude' trying to get back into the US then when entering into Canada... most times anyway.

 

[LoudHandle]

All good tips, I having married a Canadian for my first ex-wife; we have been across every crossing into BC and Alberta as well as the Yukon, likely hundreds of crossings. Most were uneventful, questions asked-truthful answers given and on our way.

But there has been the times when they ran our names and came up with something prompting more questions.

Once her name matched someone else's record from Tennessee involved in the drug muling trade and they interrogated both of us for an hour or so until they realized we were not the correct ethnic and SS#'s were way off.

Once they dredged up a charge I got right after high school that was supposed to be removed from my record and has been in the states.

Once while crossing at a less frequently used crossing above Glacier National Park they wanted me to strip my new sled and the interior out of my new enclosed trailer. After some intense conversations and the fact neither I nor them had the tools to do either they backed down and let me drive on.

Typically if you recognize they have a job to do, and don't make it any harder for them by flicking them sh-t or giving them attitude you will be fine. Don't be nervous or at least don't act nervous. Ex-wife when single, used to travel with her hand gun under her coat on the front seat next to her all the time and never got a second look. I found out just how good of a liar she was during the divorce hearings and now the custody hearings.

Good luck and enjoy the Canadians.

 

[brn2ride]

You guys have been awesome! I called the border office and they sent some information that was hard to understand and incredibly lengthy.

My buddy said to post a thread on Snowest and people will know. You guys have been great! I think we are good on the legal front. I may have an overdue library book!

It's good to know I am not the only one in post season snowmobile rehab!

 

[MORSNO]

I may have an overdue library book!

You may want to take care of that first

 

[Teth-Air]

Heard of a guy last year that came up here and had no health insurance. He got hurt and had a stay in the hospital. Probably not as expensive as a US hospital but he was looking for donations on the forums to help pay the bill. Get a temporary coverage for sure.

 

[Spiced Wafer]

you will have a harder time getting back into the us...most of the canadians are like have a good time eh, and spend your money..thanks..

have passports, don't lie, talk directly to them, and by all means DO NOT GET OUT OF YOUR CAR!

 

[go high fast]

if you're bringing a spare sled that not yours have a note from the owner.

 

[rocket]

Good suggestions, especially the one about making sure NONE of your party have a record of ANY sort. I second the comments about getting jerked around much more when trying to get back into the US as well.

 

[rmk4ever]

What about Dui'S or Dwi's ? We got a guy in our group that liked the whiskey yr's ago & has 2 from the 80's. Will they let him in?

 

[LoudHandle]

What about Dui'S or Dwi's ? We got a guy in our group that liked the whiskey yr's ago & has 2 from the 80's. Will they let him in?

Not very likely to let him in, I know there are exceptions like marrying a Canadian, and getting a judge to grant admittance for domestic relations reasons. Or some such verbiage.

Have a Canadian friend who married an American woman and he petitioned for admittance in spite of his record, which included a impaired charge (DWI / DUI for us Americans) for domestic reasons.

 

[paulharris]

What about Dui'S or Dwi's ? We got a guy in our group that liked the whiskey yr's ago & has 2 from the 80's. Will they let him in?

unless you want to have your trip ruined, leave him behind. They don't like DUI's and its not uncommon to be denied entry to Canada because of it. And they don't care how long ago it was

 

[haydaysswaptroll]

What about Dui'S or Dwi's ? We got a guy in our group that liked the whiskey yr's ago & has 2 from the 80's. Will they let him in?

As stated by the others, DUI is a huge issue when crossing into Canada. It is seen as a felony there. There is a chance he may be allowed as it's beyond 10yrs old, but there is always the risk that he will be denied. It's up to the border agent's discretion. It is also possible to have paperwork filed in advance regarding the DUI and get the person officially recognized as "rehabbed" in the eye of Canadian Immigration. This generally costs $100 and needs to be done thru a Canadian Consulate, and can take several months.

Couple of other tips.. if bringing booze, especially more than what you are allotted [which is generally 24beers per adult or 1L hard stuff], bring the receipts for the booze with. You may need to pay duty/tax on it. Same thing applies to tobacco.

Dont lie about declaring anything they ask. It's simply not worth the risk of ruining the trip to save a few dollars. Leave the guns, mace, weapons, etc at home.


Registration for everything not a bad idea to carry, as well as insurance papers. I have never been asked in 7yrs of crossing, but it's always possible.

More than likely you'll get a harder time re-entering the USA.