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Crossing the boarder to Canada

We are heading out for our first trip heading to Toronto from California.  We have crossed the boarder in Buffalo, NY on the Peace Bridge many times in a car, but never in an RV.  Any tips or comments from those of you who have crossed and what should we expect.  Thanks as always for the help.

Scott, Bonnie and Bentley
2001 36' U320
2006 Hummer H3

Re: Crossing the boarder to Canada

Reply #1 –
Why not cross more westerly and enjoy a longer drive in Canada for all the possible bother crossing.
Get your mail at US towns and drive only auto across to get mail.  Mail can take weeks in Canada due to customs delays. Passports required to re-enter US.
 
We always stop far from border to get our act together so we all know the same answer.
 
Have all RV & towcar papers & passports up front.  Hand passports to agent. No talking long before, near or at border about things that can be mis-interpreted, assume they can hear & see you long before arriving at border.
Uncover all things in tow car. Turn off motorhome engine at border when talking to customs agent.  Be calm and courteous.
Only answer questions asked,  do not elaborate.  Never speak humor or be cute.
All RV passengers visible near driver's window. Be prepared as if you will be inspected without you being inside RV with agents, by having personal items, like private papers and money to take with you while you wait outside.
No money over $10,000.
No potatoes
Limited alcohol & tobacco products, better none. Have a list of every perishable on-hand. Kids and pets have special customs needs. No weapons, ammo, pepper spray, etc.  If any found can be permanently barred as gun runner.  Some pay $25 for two month shotgun permit. Canadians assume every American owns several handguns, which are banned in Canada.  They may not believe that we do not own a handgun. Know where you are going and for how long, be specific. Fulltimers can be suspect of being able to stay in Canada longer than legal, so better if have permanent home address in states. Tight fit at border station.  Watch mirrors. Prices about same, dairy more expensive, exchange rate about PAR. Credit/debit cards widely accepted, little cash required.  We buy Canadian at Canadian banks with US dollars. Find out which of your credit cards have least cost foreign exchange fees ahead of time and tell the credit cards you will use of your travel plans. We found Capital One & USAA best.  Fees run from 1-3% above exchange rate. Get Canadian cell phone plan before arriving, +$20 for Verizon.  If using Verizon, Altel, Sprint, update PRL before crossing. Cellular data devices should not be used as they cost a lot for roaming. We purchased a Canadian Virgin  Mobile Broadband2Go USB for $45 for 1GB, but can be difficult to initially activate without Canadian credit card, but can be done.  Works everywhere so far. WiFi hard to find, mostly not free when available. Wal Mart & other places, dry camp ok, lots of free dump sites.
50-amp scarce in campgrounds.
Tax is from 5% to 15% depending on province. Gas is 92 cents, diesel 82 cents a liter.
 
We have been traveling in Alberta this summer.  Far north of border satellite TV can be problematic.  We loaded our DVR just in case. Expect to be also grilled when going back to US.  Use same cautions and no meat.
Road conditions are same as US.  Many very good highways. Never be cavalier, take crossing serious.  We are in a foreign country.

Re: Crossing the boarder to Canada

Reply #2 –
Thank you for the excellent summary of Canadian crossing and visiting issues - very informative!

We just returned home to NM from a 3-month trip (5k miles) in the western states.  We were originally planning to be gone for 5 months, but w*** got in the way (yes, "work" is a 4-letter word).  We were planning to spend almost 3 weeks in BC and AB, so we were prepared and knew much of what you describe.  We ended up cutting out the Canadian portion of our trip, with the exception of two day-trips into Vancouver for a weekend with our grandson, daughter, and son-in-law (they crossed separately).  We did not take the coach, but stayed at an RV park in Blaine, WA (about 30 minutes south of the border).

Here's a bit of additional information from our experience in Canada last month (relating to both our intent to stay 3 weeks, and the actual two days we spent in Vancouver without the coach):

Before we left, I called our two insurance companies (State Farm for the Honda and Progressive for the FT), and received certificates showing each was insured for Canada (note that the expiration date was the same as the premium dates - they were NOT dated only for the planned trip dates).

We have had Verizon for our cell phones for years (and tether our laptops - no aircard... yet).  Our current plan is no longer offered, and such a great deal for us that we didn't want to change.  As such, Verizon said the +$20/month Canadian plan didn't apply to us - UNLESS we signed up for a new plan (which we didn't want).  They did add the CAPABILITY to call in/out of Canada, and if we called it would be 69 cents a minute.  Our data usage (5 Gb tethering at $49/month) would be the same either side of the border.  Since we ended up only staying 2 days, and needed to connect with daughter and family, we opted to text at a $5/month plan for 250 messages sent/received.  We terminated the text plan after returning...  older phones + older eyes = really tiny font (too hard to see!).  But texting was a great workaround for us.

While we did not take the miniature schnauzer that weekend (used a nice kennel near the RV park instead), we were prepared with a health certificate (signed by our NM vet before we left back in April) and a copy of his rabies certificate.  Others on the forum, and friends in WA, all indicated this would be sufficient for his crossing... although there may be pet food which might not be allowed entry (or return).  So, I can't elaborate further on that restriction.

We traveled to Europe in 2007 and Macy's VISA had lowest (1%) foreign fee at the time.  Didn't think to call ahead, and found out after returning it was 3% in Canada.  George used Citicards Mastercard for car parking and so far, no foreign fee has shown up on the online statement-in-progress (billing period hasn't ended--maybe it will post at the end of the month--so there may well be a fee).  Credit cards were easy, and we did not exchange dollars since we were in town for 2 days only.  On the couple of occasions we used cash, American dollars were accepted (since they were close to par).  This may not hold true further north of the border, though.

From fuel station signs in Vancouver (we didn't need fuel for the toad), diesel was about $3.70ish per gallon (after currency and metric conversions).

We took the truck crossing (a bit west of the Peace Arch crossing north of Blaine, WA), and car delays were 30-minutes on average in both directions on Friday and Saturday regardless of times we crossed.  There are websites with average crossing data by day/time/season to help you plan your timing to minimize delays... though, with a coach, this may be irrelevant.

We look forward to spending time next summer in Banff, Jasper, and maybe even the Maritimes... so will keep a copy of Barry & Cindy's excellent summary as we prepare (again) next year for a Canadian adventure.  Thanks again!

Pat

The selected media item is not currently available.Pat Hatfield
2000 U295 3600 #5666 WTFE (sold 1/7/20)
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
previously: 2003 U295 3610 #6228 (sold 5/29/14)
previously:  2009 Honda CRV (sold 6/9/14)

Re: Crossing the boarder to Canada

Reply #3 –
Pat,
See that you are familiar with Canadian border crossing issues with an RV. Your good info reminded me of a couple more points.
 
Standardized Canadian valid dated yellow insurance cards are required to be carried for each vehicle.  All vehicle insurance companies supply them on request ahead of time.  We always get them with each new policy period, regardless if we plan to visit Canada.
 
We also have an old grandfathered Verizon plan on one of our two cell phones and cannot change it to include Canada and later expect to get it back when we return to the USA.  So we just keep this phone turned on and when someone calls we see the caller-ID and let it roll to voice mail.  We don't answer that phone.  We do have I-Dial turned on, though, just in case we needed to make an emergency call.  In the old days, when we only had one cell phone, we would then go to a payphone and with our stateside prepaid calling card, call our voice mail to retrieve the message and return the call.
 
But our 2nd Verizon cell phone does not have a grandfathered feature, so we changed that phone from Nationwide to Nationwide-Plus-Canada for an additional $20/month.  If we change back within one month, we can get back our previous Nationwide Plan.  But since the current new Nationwide plan is the same as our original Nationwide plan, we will not lose any features we had by waiting more than one month.  But if Verizon chooses, while we are in Canada, to eliminate Friends & Family feature, for example, we would not have it again when we later switch back after a month.
 
So with our 2nd phone, we now can call voice mail on our do-not-answer-phone and return calls.  Having a Canadian phone has been very helpful this summer.  We even can call Canadian friends anytime we want. The phone feature that allows us to make non-USA calls is called I-Dial (International Dialing).  As Pat said, turning this feature on is possible with grandfathered plans without losing anything.  Be sure it back off later to prevent cross border accidental charges.
 
I am not sure that tethered data would still be 5GB for $49 when connected to a Canadian cell tower, whether or not your phone has "plus-Canada" plan. Sometimes Verizon customer service mis-speak.
 
We always buy some Canadian money, partly to not stand out and feel part of the community.  When we return to states we can sell our remaining Canadian paper money ($5 and above).  To get rid of all of our Canadian coin, we count it up and buy gasoline for that amount before we leave Canada.

Re: Crossing the boarder to Canada

Reply #4 –
If you get to Wi-Fi in Canada, Google Voice will transcribe into Text any voice mails AND include a link to an Audio version.
___

best, paul
"Thriving not surviving"
 <(*¿*)> Paul Schaye (at 2008 NYC Marathon)
 See our blog at LazyDazers.com
 
Quote
We also have an old grandfathered Verizon plan on one of our two cell phones
and cannot change it to include Canada and later expect to get it back when we return to the USA.  So we just keep this phone turned on and when someone calls we see the caller-ID and let it roll to voice mail.  We don't answer that phone.  We do have I-Dial turned on, though, just in case we needed to make an emergency call.  In the old days, when we only had one cell phone, we would then go to a payphone and with our stateside prepaid calling card, call our voice mail to retrieve the message and return the call.
 
 
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Crossing the boarder to Canada

Reply #5 –
Wow! We were not near as prepared as Bary & Cindy and Patricia. No one ever asked us about vehicle insurance and it's a good thing. We didn't have any special papers. We will next time.
We entered Canada about a week ago on US Fwy 395 in Laurier, in NE Washington. It was not a busy crossing at least when we were there.
We were searched thoroughly! It took about 20 minutes, we had to wait outside. Two agents conducted search. They looked into every compartment, cupboard, drawer, etc. In addition to items already mentioned, they do not allow any fruit with a pit or core; confiscated 1 apple and 4 peaches. They also do not allow any soil, took potted plant.
They finally said we were good, but had a bit more liquor than allowed. I had forgotten to declare some bottles of Kahlua, Sherry, etc.; stuff we don't usually use. Since we are full timers he "took that into consideration". He did not charge us any duty, but cautioned us about being accurate in what we declare.
Our return through Sumas, WA was uneventful.
Yesterday we made a day trip with just the car up I-5 for sight seeing and to visit Pt. Roberts. It was a breeze through Canadian Customs, but we were looking at a 2 hour back-up to get back through US Customs. We drove east and entered through Sumas again, but probably didn't save any time.
Enjoy your trip.
Dick, '03 U320 40' Tag, 2 slides, Coach #6075
Full Timers
2009 Honda CR-V

Re: Crossing the boarder to Canada

Reply #6 –
RE:    "Our data usage (5 Gb tethering at $49/month) would be the same either side of the border."
           
I just spoke to a Verizon customer clerk who told me USB data modem or tethered phone data in Canada will both cost the same very expensive $0.02/KB.
That's $20/MB or a morgage loan for a Gigabyte.
Best to keep these devices unplugged when in Canada.

Re: Crossing the boarder to Canada

Reply #7 –
Re:  data usage north and south of the border

Hmmm.... like my experiences with DirecTV, I also find that I have to play "customer service representative roulette" with calls to Verizon for questions on service options and costs.

Good thing we did not take our PCs with us on our two one-day trips into Vancouver that weekend - could have been a big surprise on the bill at the end of the month!

Pat
The selected media item is not currently available.Pat Hatfield
2000 U295 3600 #5666 WTFE (sold 1/7/20)
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
previously: 2003 U295 3610 #6228 (sold 5/29/14)
previously:  2009 Honda CRV (sold 6/9/14)

Re: Crossing the boarder to Canada

Reply #8 –
We crossed the border this AM  at Calais, MEand are now in PEI.
Girl on gate asked for our passports, asked if we had any liqour, and if we had anything that we intended to leave in CA. Also asked our destination.Smiled and waved us on, less than five minutes.
BTW, Chocolate Factory At St. Stevens is Worth a visit, lots of free samples, cost was 7 bucks but I ate that much.

Re: Crossing the boarder to Canada

Reply #9 –
I forgot to say that Google emails the Text version of the voice mail to you including a link to an audio version.  This means you could read and listen to any voice mails at an Internet cafe in Canada, assuming you can get your email there.
___

best, paul
"Thriving not surviving" <(*¿*)>
Paul Schaye (at 2008 NYC Marathon)
See our blog at LazyDazers.com
 
Quote
If you get to Wi-Fi in Canada, Google Voice will transcribe into Text any voice mails AND include a link to an Audio version.
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element