Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Taking the coach through Canada?
| Taking the coach through Canada? [message #93719] |
Wed, 28 July 2010 21:49  |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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We are planning an excursion that will take us through Canada. We cross into Canada frequently, but have never done so in the coach and with our dog.
We have the rabies certificate (for the dog only), and I will remove all the firearms, ammunition and potatoes before we go.
Is there anything else I should be aware of?
And
If an inspection is required, how long does that usually take?
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: [GMCnet] Taking the coach through Canada? [message #93762 is a reply to message #93754] |
Thu, 29 July 2010 07:15  |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
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Senior Member |
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Netters
I'm gonna stay out of this, but if you start mouthing off at the boarder,
expect them to find something. Keep you opinions and political beliefs to
yourself and you will be waved through.
You will now need a passport to get back into the US and Canada following US
direction, now 'asks' for one as you enter Canada.
We aren't a Foreign country up here, just another....
Mike in NS
On Thu, Jul 29, 2010 at 3:40 AM, Bob Horton <bobsgmc@mts.net> wrote:
>
>
> Crossing into Canada
>
> WE cross fairly regularly into the USA and back to Canada. One thing we
> have learned is to avoid taking any perishable items such as fruit,
> vegatables, and meat across the border (irregardless of which side).(Bananas
> seem to be an exception) Both sides have inumerable restrictions on such
> things and they seem to change daily. Just buy what you need on either side
> of the border. Liquer and cigarettes will be a problem unless bought at a
> duty free shop. Better leave guns at home unless you are hunting in which
> case you will have to check the rules.
>
> We try to avoid the main border crossings and are lucky that there are many
> small stations between Manitoba and North Dakota - although they work on
> restricted hours. The staff on both sides are less hassled and friendlier.
> Also there is little or no wait.Someone has already mentioned that you need
> a passport to get back into the US - but a passport also speeds things up
> here. Gas up before you cross the border as we like to pay more for gas up
> here.
>
> Bob Horton
> Brandon, Manitoba
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
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| Re: [GMCnet] Taking the coach through Canada? [message #93782 is a reply to message #93762] |
Thu, 29 July 2010 08:29 |
storm'n
Messages: 492
Registered: April 2007
Location: Ont. Can
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Based on many years experience crossing the boarder, keep it simple. When you pull up ,shut off your motor, take off your sunglasses & smile. Give 1 word answers to the questions & do not elaborate. We have never had a problem at any crossing. Going to Florida,1 boarder guard asked if we had room for him. I asked if his bag was packed & lets go. He laughed & waved us thru.
Netters
I'm gonna stay out of this, but if you start mouthing off at the boarder,
expect them to find something. Keep you opinions and political beliefs to
yourself and you will be waved through.
You will now need a passport to get back into the US and Canada following US
direction, now 'asks' for one as you enter Canada.
We aren't a Foreign country up here, just another....
Mike in NS
On Thu, Jul 29, 2010 at 3:40 AM, Bob Horton <bobsgmc@mts.net> wrote:
>
>
> Crossing into Canada
>
> WE cross fairly regularly into the USA and back to Canada. One thing we
> have learned is to avoid taking any perishable items such as fruit,
> vegatables, and meat across the border (irregardless of which side).(Bananas
> seem to be an exception) Both sides have inumerable restrictions on such
> things and they seem to change daily. Just buy what you need on either side
> of the border. Liquer and cigarettes will be a problem unless bought at a
> duty free shop. Better leave guns at home unless you are hunting in which
> case you will have to check the rules.
>
> We try to avoid the main border crossings and are lucky that there are many
> small stations between Manitoba and North Dakota - although they work on
> restricted hours. The staff on both sides are less hassled and friendlier.
> Also there is little or no wait.Someone has already mentioned that you need
> a passport to get back into the US - but a passport also speeds things up
> here. Gas up before you cross the border as we like to pay more for gas up
> here.
>
> Bob Horton
> Brandon, Manitoba
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: Taking the coach through Canada? [message #93785 is a reply to message #93719] |
Thu, 29 July 2010 09:00 |
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RF_Burns
Messages: 2277
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Matt,
Cross at Port Huron/Sarnia if at all possible. There is much less traffic there compared to Detroit / Windsor so the delay is usually minimal.
The 402 from Sarnia to London is less crowded than the 401 from Windsor as well, making for a more pleasant drive.
I think its a crap shoot whether you breeze through or get hassled. If the Border Guard is having a bad day or gets attitude then you might not have a good experience.
Have your passports ready, answer the questions short'n sweet, don't try to hide anything and you should have no issues.
Last time I took the coach to the US, they were more interested my my "Cool RV" than anything else.
Coming home they are more interested in making sure they collect all the taxes on any purchases.
Oh.. and I can't speak french either. If I was to learn another language it would be Spanish.
Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
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| Re: [GMCnet] Taking the coach through Canada? [message #93818 is a reply to message #93750] |
Thu, 29 July 2010 11:32 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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| Harry wrote on Thu, 29 July 2010 00:47 |
You only need a passport to get back in to your own country.
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Not quite true any more.
The Canadians are requiring a passport, a passport card, an enhanced drivers license, or Nexus from us now because they do not want to get stuck with us when the US will not accept us back again on the return trip.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Taking the coach through Canada? [message #93822 is a reply to message #93719] |
Thu, 29 July 2010 12:00 |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| mcolie wrote on Wed, 28 July 2010 19:49 |
We are planning an excursion that will take us through Canada.
Is there anything else I should be aware of?
Matt
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As others have said, the experience you may have can be highly variable, even at the smallest and most obscure border crossing stations. I have had most pleasant and most snarly experiences with no reason why, on both sides.
Take off your sunglasses, look the guard straight in the eyes, answer all questions with the truth, volunteer nothing additional and have a passport or passcard available for each person. Without one or the other, you will not be able to either get in or out. If you have the motorhome, or any RV, be sure you can unlock each and every exterior compartment if they want to look in. Lost keys, etc are just red flags to them.
If you do not have a passport or passcard, you will need to get one, and that takes considerable time. I had to get a new "official" birth certificate because the one issued by the hospital where I was born, complete with baby footprints on the back, was not "official" even though I have used it for 68 years as such. That added to my passcard delay. Figure about 6 weeks unless you want to pay through the nose for various expedited services.
Enjoy your visit, Canada and Canadians are wonderful.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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