Canadian border crossing advice.

I've never done a border crossing other than customs at the airport into and out of the Turks and Caicos.

We are crossing at Sault Ste. Marie into Canada.

Any ideas on how long it takes. Minutes? Hours?

Advice on having my crap together to make things move smoother?

I assume they will want to search everything or is it a cursory examination?

How about coming the other direction? That will probably happen on the Minnesota side.

(Probably a good thing I removed to Bob Marley stickers off the refrigerator. )

Thanks for the info.

Don't try to bring fruit back from Canada, they dont like that.

I went last time a few years ago. Just have a passport and really thats it. We didn't really prepare

I've crossed back into Canada after driving over the other way a few times, it's never been more than a few minutes' wait. Same thing in the other direction in fact. Never had the car searched beyond a quick peering inside.

Edit: BTW if your car should get X-rayed when re-entering the US, make sure you're standing well clear of and off-axis from the machine. I know the DHS has a terrifying disregard for X-ray safety with their unmarked mobile scanning trucks at least.

Try to stay calm. If you're sweating profusely and look like you're about to jump out of your skin, they may get suspicious.

Yup, have the passports ready, don't wear sunglasses when you talk to them, answer the questions simply and honestly and don't offer up any extra information. Most of all be nice to them (not schmaltzy, but be pleasant and respectful).

Canada is a breeze. Going back the other way is harder. Bring a passport and a destination. Leave guns at home.

Where ya headed?

In reply to NOHOME:

We are spending a week with my parents on their boat in the Thunder Bay area. Looks to be a beautiful area.

The SSM crossing is normally not busy - compared to the Niagara or Windsor crossings!

Just be honest and calm.

No criminal records and that includes DUI's, otherwise you will get sent back.

They don't normally search everything, but may want to look in the camper, if you are bringing it.

If you are bringing something up that you intend to leave, be prepared to tell them. They are going to ask.

Toyman01 wrote: In reply to NOHOME: We are spending a week with my parents on their boat in the Thunder Bay area. Looks to be a beautiful area.

Going around the north side of Lake Superior, or through MN? I'm along the MN shore from Duluth up to the border pretty often, and occasionally up as far as Thunder Bay. It's a pretty nice area. No idea what's beyond Thunder Bay though ;)

EDIT: Missed you specified SSM. Despite living in the Michigan's Upper Peninsula for years, have never crossed there.

I've managed to piss them off going both ways(Detroit-Windsor crossing), so I know a little about this.

Going into Canada is easy, they just want to know who you are (and everybody else in the car) where you're headed and what you're doing ("We are spending a week with my parents on their boat in the Thunder Bay area." will be fine), and how long you'll be there (you might even mention that you'll be coming in a different crossing). Odds of getting searched at all are low, let alone in depth. Have your passport(s) ready, make eye contact, easy.

Getting back into your own goddamned country can get interesting, expect any faux pas to result in being treated like a real actual terrorist. Remember that you're probably talking to George Liquor, American, and act appropriately.

Ah, it's easy going in to Canada. The border guards will probably be friendly, you just be the same. The Soo is usually pretty relaxed and not too busy. Have your passport, don't bring in any guns or booze.

Coming back into the US is not as fun. The border guards have a very different attitude, be subservient. It'll probably take a bit longer, but I don't know the MN crossings.

I had never had an issue crossing into or back out of Quebec over the years. Just last year we went to Niagara Falls for a couple of days and then out to London Ontario to check out my delica before I planned on importing it in august. The trip into Canada was easy, but when we crossed back in to the USA in Buffalo I made the mistake of mentioning that we went to check out a vehicle I was planning to import. I also asked about the process. Big mistake on both parts. I got the third degree and an ass hat border agent that had me convinced I was a good for nothing cheat and that my van would be seized and crushed. Tell them nothing.

Keith Tanner wrote: Ah, it's easy going in to Canada. The border guards will probably be friendly, you just be the same. The Soo is usually pretty relaxed and not too busy. Have your passport, don't bring in any guns or booze. Coming back into the US is not as fun. The border guards have a very different attitude, be subservient. It'll probably take a bit longer, but I don't know the MN crossings.

My father in law was working doing some automotive testing in the International Falls area. He and a coworker walked over to the Canadian side (Fort Frances) for breakfast. The date: September 11, 2001. Apparently getting back across the border was slightly more interesting than normal.

It's not a new thing either. We went on a two week fishing trip way back in the mid 80's. I was young but I distinctly remember crossing the border because it was the first time I was getting to go to a different country. We had no problems getting into Canada, but coming back they searched every inch of our van, took an hour and a half.

I will reiterate, don't bring your gun.

There is no reason to be nervous at the border. When you are going home, they will ask what you purchased in Canada. Ignore consumables, and have a total dollar value for the stuff you may be bringing home.

Last two times I crossed were into one state, out of another, with a utility trailer full of my daughters household goods. Told the Yank we were taking advantage of President Eisenhower (sp) and his interstate system. He smiled, we moved on.

Having said that, there is always a chance of getting a dick on training day. A friends 75 year old Dad was not allowed to fly in to the US over a 30 day stretch for drunken joyride type car theft. In 1956. Since then, he has been a long haul trucker, a bonded carrier crossing the border twice a week for around 30 years...

In 2000 I had my S10 ass raped by border patrol agent for a good 3 hours I was locked in a room with a little window because I was a smart ass. "Do you have anything to declare?" "Yup, don't go to Canada" They didn't even tighten the seat down when they put it back together.

I got a "Dudley do-right" on the Canadian side, coming home.

He was fresh out of training and ready to save the world from his filthy fellow citizens buying cheap gas, meat and dairy south of the border.

Apparently, I required a pat-down for reasons he refused to explain to me.

Upon reaching my crotchal region I said to him: "You have half an hour to stop that!"

His supervisor let out a loud snicker before burying his face in a file folder so he wouldn't embarrass the rookie.

At that point I received a curt and rather unfriendly "You may go" from Dudley.

I've gotten the same guy a couple times since and he seems to have mellowed with age.

Canada was never a problem for me but the way the US agents treat their own citizens is downright offensive. The last guy I had put me through the ringer because we had stopped at the Duty Free store (my wife insisted) and bought a bag of Combos. Apparently they photo every car tag going in/out of there so they can catch you in a lie about buying stuff. The guy mumbled every question and command so I had to have him repeat everything, which pissed him off, and it spiraled down to a search of the car's trunk and contents for spite (because he didn't actually LOOK at anything, just made me open and shut stuff). I've never been treated so poorly by anyone, not even TSA agents.

I get that border safety is important--hell, I am one who demands the southern border get sealed up to stop the influx of illegals--but when my own country treats me like a spec of dirt when I try to return to native soil its just unnecessary and insulting.

Thunder Bay? When?

I'll be there some time the week of June 15th. I grew up there.

Feel free to message me about anything you feel you need for information. I assume you're going around Lake Superior via HWY 17. I've made that trip many many times.

As for the border, booze is fine as long as you declare it and aren't bringing an ungodly amount with you. If you want to bring a bottle or two of something special, go ahead. They will very possibly want their duty for it though. Guns are a definite no-no of course.

Passports all around for everyone. If you plan to stay part way to T. Bay, have your room or campground booking info to show them.

Bugs are BAD right now - so you know. Mornings are still pretty cold too.

Hauled the race car, enclosed trailer and all that entails to Mosport last year. I have no issues to report except that it took 45min to get back because of a line of cars.

No one was rude or disrespectful. I opened the trailer door. They saw a race car. That was it.

In reply to akamcfly:

We will be there the 12th of July and leaving the 18th.

New York has an "Enhanced Drivers License", it has added layers of background checks or something that allow you to go into Canada without a passport.

Damn, seems like my experience is the exception rather than the rule! Maybe I shouldn't push my luck with too many more crossings

A follow up to my experience with re-entry to the USA in Buffalo with the ass hat border agent. When I did import the Delica a month or so later I used this same border crossing, and the agent there (trucker side) couldn't have been nicer. I was so worried about the import and border crossing, but it was really the easiest part of the trip. Good luck. I loved my time in Ontario. Didn't want to leave.

Chris