Customs questions for an American visiting Canada

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nobbie48

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I may have a bunch of Yanks coming for a bike visit. What Qs & As should they expect at the border?

Is there a standard list or do the guards use gut feelings?

Booze, smoke, gift, limits for a week or so visit?

I assume they will have passports to make re-entry to their own country simple.

TIA
 
I always find I get more questions coming back into the states than going into Canada.

Usual Questions I get when going into Canada
1. What is the purpose of your visit?
a. then they might ask where are you staying
b. who are you visiting
2. How long are you staying?
3. Have any guns, etc.
4. Been here before

You will of course have to remove your helmet and present documents. Make sure to turn the bike off, they appreciate that as well.
 
Make sure they have addresses and names memorized, and a way of showing or explaining their route. The big thing is not to hesitate or struggle with details. That just makes them drill down deeper with questions. They'll actually have a harder time crossing back into USA, I hear it all too often how their own citizens are mistreated when returning.

This should help: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/noncan-eng.html
 
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Avoid the ft Erie crossing.

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All of the above and have their documents ready.Also loosen their helmet straps and be ready to take them off if requested or do it any way,be sure to tighten them before leaving.Not being able to see your face well can send you to secondary inspection.
 
Remember the good old days when you didn't need a passport to cross the border in either direction.. i used to have to cross once a week for my job back in the early 90's and they rarely even asked for my license. Just pulled up to the window and they would ask a couple simple questions like whats the purpose of your visit, how long etc and that was it. Thanks a lot terrorists..

On that topic, have they come out with those new enhanced driver licenses that don't require a passport when travelling between Can/US? if so does anyone have one and do they accept them as advertised?
 
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Whatever you do, don't send them packing with any fruits or vegetables on the way back... they'll never get home.
 
Tell them to leave their guns at home and bring their passport. Knowing where they are going and how long they will be here is also good information.

When I crossed over at Buffalo / Fort Erie a few weeks ago I did not remove my helmet when entering the US or returning to Canada. However, I did shut off the bike while at the gate.
 
Johnny5 said:
Remember the good old days when you didn't need a passport to cross the border in either direction.. i used to have to cross once a week for my job back in the early 90's and they rarely even asked for my license. Just pulled up to the window and they would ask a couple simple questions like whats the purpose of your visit, how long etc and that was it. Thanks a lot terrorists..

On that topic, have they come out with those new enhanced driver licenses that don't require a passport when travelling between Can/US? if so does anyone have one and do they accept them as advertised?
Click to expand...


The new license is fine but, the draw back is you can't use the Nexus lanes. Highly recommend just going with Nexus and skip the enhanced license.

Canadian Customs will ask Americans' the general questions of any weapons, destination, how long etc. Having passport handy, bike off, and being prepared to remove helmet, is good advice.
 
Also tell'em not to carry pepper spray. Some people got in trouble over that.
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