Tips for crossing the border between USA and Canada

Jeff Hanson jhansonxi at gmail.com
Mon Jul 29 00:09:07 CDT 2019


I've crossed the border a few times and have studied the rules a bit.
These are some tips based upon what I know.

First, if you've had a drunk/drink-driving conviction within the last 5
years or so you won't need to worry about crossing the border since Canada
will refuse entry.  Doesn't matter if you plan on driving or not.  See you
at WineConf 2020!  A bunch of other offenses also qualify.  You may still
get permission to enter Canada but you should start that process now
because it is likely to be slow, especially if they have to contact the US
government.

http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/inadmissibility-interdiction-eng.html
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/402/~/entering-the-u.s.-and-canada-with-dui-offenses

Second, you don't need a passport book.  Supposedly you only need birth
certificate and photo ID but I wouldn't rely on just those, especially
since a birth certificate is harder for agents to authenticate and
replacing a lost one can be complicated.

Some border states offer an "enhanced driver's license" that doubles as a
limited passport for border crossing.  This is the cheapest option.  The
requirements vary by state.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhanced_driver%27s_license

Michigan:
https://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,4670,7-127-1627_8669_53333---,00.html

If you even *think* you will have problems crossing the border (in either
direction) apply for a NEXUS card.  Unlike a normal passport this requires
a criminal background check and an interview with border officials at one
of the border crossings.   It's a slow process, especially when the USA
government is shutdown during their annual budget crisis, so apply NOW.  If
you are approved then you shouldn't have any trouble entering the USA or
Canada in spite of past "bad behavior".  Membership in one of the other
Trusted Traveler Programs may also suffice and there is significant overlap
between them.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEXUS
https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/

Third, don't take anything that looks like a weapon into Canada, including
pepper spray, mace, stun guns, etc.  Doing so will make their border agents
very impolite and cause you major trouble, maybe not quite as bad as trying
to enter the USA with oranges or other citrus fruit, but it's a problem
worth avoiding.

Fourth, when returning to the USA declare all food and everything you
bought to the US border patrol agents.  You may have to pay a duty if your
imports are worth more than $200 USD.  Some unopened packages of
commercially sealed food may be imported but dumping any fruits and
vegetables, including dehydrated foods and items originally from the USA,
is a good idea before approaching the border gates.  The food restrictions
are because of the USA agriculture industry's paranoia of diseases and
damaging insects crossing the 5500 mile long shared Canadian border via
travelers.

And finally, the USA border agents may offer to make a backup of the data
on all your electronic devices.  The EFF has a handy guide about the
service:
https://ssd.eff.org/en/module/things-consider-when-crossing-us-border



Miscellaneous:

Use a credit card for most transactions to handle currency exchange.
MasterCard and Visa is commonly accepted, Discover is almost useless. Some
businesses, especially near the border, will take USD at a 1:1 exchange
rate but your greenbacks are losing value that way.

Check your phone's voice/data plan to see if it covers Canadian and/or
international usage.  Don't be surprised if your prepaid plan jumps from
$0.10 to $1 USD per minute at the border due to the financial complexity of
transfering your packets.

Since Canada is part of the modern world they use the metric system so
expect kilometers instead of miles on signs.  Their speed limits are
generally lower than the USA.  Also make sure your navigation system has
maps for Canada.

Converting from USA English to Canadian English isn't difficult.  Just
replace "you know" with with a rising-tone "eh" at the end of your
sentences.  Also some names are different like "washroom" instead of
"restroom", "pop" instead of "soda", etc.

https://www.phrasemix.com/answers/how-are-canadian-english-and-american-english-different
https://business.financialpost.com/business-insider/35-things-canadians-say-that-americans-dont-understand

Expect to encounter a few strange Canadian foods like poutine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine
https://www.readersdigest.ca/travel/canada/10-must-try-canadian-dishes/
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