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American and Canadian citizens must present a passport when entering the United States This is true regardless of your mode of transportation. If you Drive! If you fly! If you arrive by watercraft.
We recommend you get your passport as soon as possible. See the links below or ask your trip planner about getting a passport.
Canada Border Crossing Services
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Toll Free: 1-800-438-7020
Email: bordercrossing@mrs.net
Visit www.bordercrossing.ca to find out more.
Crossing The Border
Every year 30 million people drive across the border from the USA into Canada. Here are a few tips to make the crossing fast and simple.
- Leave all weapons at home. This includes guns, knives, switch blades, pepper spray, nun-chucks and mace. All are illegal in Canada without proper documentation.
- As you approach the customs compound shut down as much noise as possible; turn off the radio, CD player, turn off the cell phone, ask all passengers for quiet.
- Unless they are prescription, remove your sunglasses. If they are prescription and you have a clear pair handy, change them for the few minutes it will take you to clear customs.
- Have your passport and all special permits available when you get to the window.
- Answer all questions directly and politely.
- If requested to move to one side for an inspection, don't take it personally, you may just be the 5th blue vehicle and are being inspected at random.
- Obey all speed limits and restrictions while in the border compound.
- Don't make jokes about guns, drugs, theft or terrorism. Customs officials have a difficult job to do assessing potential criminal activity such as smuggling, kidnapping and trafficking. They can detain you as well as impound your vehicle to search for contraband if your behaviour makes them suspicious in any way.
What You Can Bring With You
Duty free items that may be brought into Canada are (articles above allowable quantities are subject to import duty)
- clothing and personal effects
- sporting goods
- up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 400 grams of tobacco
- 40 imperial ounces of spirits or wine, or 288 imperial ounces of beer (case of 24) per adult
- cameras (with a reasonable amount of film)
- reasonable food supply per person
- a full tank of gasoline
Food, Plant and Animal Restrictions
Travelers are often surprised when they are told that certain items are restricted or prohibited because they can harbour foreign animal and plant pests and diseases that could pose a risk to human, plant or animal health and cause irreparable harm to Canada's crops, livestock, pets, and environment. Because of this threat, travelers are required to declare any meats, fruits, vegetables, plants, animals, and plant or animal products they bring into the country.
To avoid problems, when planning your trip, check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website for up to date information or contact the CFIA Import Service Centre at 1-800-835-4486
Firearms and Ammunition
Handguns, fully automatic weapons and firearms less than 26" in length are prohibited entry into Canada, with the exception of pistols used by participants in bona fide marksmanship contests.
Most sporting rifles and shotguns can be admitted without permit if the visitor is sixteen or older, without a criminal record. A description of all guns, with serial numbers, must be submitted to Canada Customs on entry. Up to 200 rounds of ammunition may be brought into Canada duty free.
Driving
- Seatbelts are mandatory for individuals over 40 lbs. in weight.
- Radar detectors and studded tires are illegal in Ontario
- Right turns are permitted on a red light after a complete stop, unless otherwise posted
- U-turns are not permitted at intersections
- Canada has strict drinking and driving laws that include motorized vehicles and watercraft. Municipal Police, Provincial Police and Provincial Conservation Officers can all press charges for the consumption of alcohol out of residence and impairment. Be safe, please don't drink and drive!
Measurements
Canada uses the metric system
- Speed limits and distances will be shown in kilometres (1 mile = 1.625 km)
- Liquid fuels are sold in litres (1 U.S. gal. = 3.8 l)
- Temperatures will be in Celsius not Fahrenheit (22 Celsius = 71 Fahrenheit)
Go to www.onlineconversion.com to make comparisons.
Check the 5 day forecast for Armstrong
Time & Money
All of Ontario is on Eastern Standard Time. All but a few communities in the northwest observe Daylight Savings Time. Be sure to adjust your watch so you don't miss any flights if you are coming from a different time zone.
Wilderness North does business in Canadian dollars. We apply the currency exchange rate at the time "money changes hands." If you pay with a credit card, your issuing bank will apply the exchange rate and any services charges, which will be reflected on an upcoming statement. For gasoline purchases along the way or any shopping you might need to do however, we recommend exchanging your currency at a financial institution before shopping to receive the best exchange rate.
What You Can Take Back
U.S. residents may return after a 48-hour stay with $400 U.S. worth of goods including:
- 35 oz. of liquor, up to 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars.
- Family members may combine their $400 exemptions.
- Under 48 hour exemption is $200 U.S
- Identifiable fish within the limits of your Fishing License