Canada Border Crossing Tips

Hi Fellow Hunting Enthusiast, Once again, thanks for considering Field & Fly Outfitters. You won’t be disappointed. You will have professional guides for you and / or your group, excellent accommodations and home cooked meals to go along with some of the best black bear, moose and waterfowl hunting in Canada.

• Arriving in Canada. When you enter Canada, a customs officer may ask to see your passport and a valid visa, if one is necessary. If you are a resident or citizen of the United States, you do not need a passport or visa to enter Canada. However, you should carry proof of your citizenship, such as a birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, or naturalization certificate. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen, you should bring your naturalization certificate. If you are a permanent resident of the U.S. (i.e., you have a green card), you should bring it.
• Vehicle papers. Be sure to carry your vehicle registration information as well as proof of insurance. Check with your insurance carrier about your coverage in other countries. In most cases, American policies are NOT valid in Mexico. Purchase coverage when you cross the border.
• Pets. Cats and dogs must be free of disease. For dogs more than three months old, you must carry a valid rabies vaccination certificate. For all other types of pets, check individual guidelines.
• Personal baggage and entitlements. As a visitor, you can bring certain goods into Canada for your own use as "personal baggage" during your stay. If you declare these goods when you arrive and take them back with you when you leave, you will not have to pay any duties or taxes. These goods cannot be used by a resident of Canada or on behalf of a business based in Canada. Personal baggage includes clothing, camping equipment, sports equipment, cameras, tape recorders, and even personal computers.
• Although rare, the customs officer may ask you to leave a security deposit for your goods, which will be refunded to you after you show that the goods were taken back out of Canada. If this happens, Form E298, Temporary Admission Permit, is issued when you arrive. When you leave Canada, you have to present your goods and the E29B permit to Canada Customs. You will be given a receipt copy of the form and the security deposit will be refunded to you by mail.
• Prescription Drugs. If you are importing prescription drugs, make sure they are clearly identified. The drugs should be in the original packaging, with a label that specifies what they are and that they are being used under prescription. If this is not possible, carry a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor.
• Food and plants. Clean out your cooler or RV refrigerator. In general, all three countries prohibit the entry of any fruits, vegetables and other plants. Fresh meat also is prohibited in most cases.
• Bringing Children into Canada. If you are traveling with children, you should carry identification for each child. Divorced parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents. Adults who are not parents or guardians should have written permission from the parents or guardians to supervise the children. When traveling with a group of vehicles, parents or guardians should travel in the same vehicle as the children when arriving at the border.
• Information. Log on to www.customs.gov for more specific travel information, including border wait times and procedures. U.S. citizens also can contact the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225, www.state.gov/travel. Canadian residents contact the Consular Affairs Bureau at 1-800-267-6788, www.voyage.gc.ca.