Entering Canada

Crossing the Border

Crossing into Canada requires a US Passport or an Equivalent acceptable travel Document. Documentation related to Covid is no longer required for entry into Canada.

If you are travelling with children and minors

• carry copies of any legal custody documents, such as custody rights, if applicable
• arrive at the border in the same vehicle as the minor
• carry a consent letter if:
• you share custody of the minor and the other parent or legal guardian is not travelling with you
• you are not the parent or legal guardian of the minor

A consent letter must include the custodial parents' or legal guardians':

• full name
• address
• telephone number

Border services officers are always watching for missing children and may ask questions about any minors travelling with you.

To avoid delays, have your consent letter notarized to support its authenticity. For more information on consent letters and to download an interactive form, visit Recommended consent letter for children travelling abroad.

Travelling with Pets

• a valid rabies vaccination certificate; and
•  the dog appears healthy and meets humane transportation requirements

A personal pet dog is defined as a dog that is intended to live with the owner who is bringing the animal into Canada as a personal pet dog. The dog is not intended to be transferred or given to another person upon its arrival into Canada, and/or is not intended for commercial purposes such as reproduction, breeding or sale of offspring, showing/exhibition, sale of germplasm, sale of the dog itself, scientific use/research or special training status (regardless of whether a profit is made or a transfer of funds occurs).

The owner must be the importer of the dog and be able to provide documentation that clearly demonstrates they own the dog and obtained ownership prior to it entering Canada upon request.

What Food can be brought into Canada

Current Restrictions and Requirements can be found on Inspection.Canada.ca/food-safety-for-consumers/bringing-food-into-canada-for-personal-use/

There are limits listed on all items and it notes if they are not allowed on entry into the country.

Requirements change so be aware that at the border you might be directed to dispose of some items.

Expect to be asked about Alcohol, Cigarettes and Guns. You will need to declare any of these items.  In addition, they may request to enter your vehicle and if applicable your RV to do additional inspections.

Our Previous experiences

We have been to Canada a number of times. I think we made 6 crossing on our Alaska trip alone.

We have always been asked the questions related to Alcohol, cigarettes and guns. It is recommended that you remove your sunglasses, look directly at the Border Officer and answer questions as they are asked.  Do not try to joke around.  They are not too happy about that. 

When travelling with my young daughters we were escorted into the Border Office and the girls were questioned about their father.  We were released and went on our way.

On another trip, Ed and I were pulled aside and our vehicle was searched when traveling in a truck, most likely because Ed kiddingly said “we had rifles in the back”.  Like I said, no kidding…

When crossing in a Popup tent trailer (they asked us to open it so that they could inspect it). On that trip they also took our papers and checked to see if we had any prior record of legal issues. We had none (though we had contraband potatoes- which they did NOT confiscate.  They were nice and told us about a great place to camp.

Since we have been travelling in the Fifth Wheel we have travelled across the border a great number of times, with no inspections.  We are unsure why they choose one traveller but not another.  Of course, Ed has learned to be a bit less cocky with them which may help. 

We are aware of many that have had experiences with border officers requiring them to toss various things, and we are aware of some people that have has issues because of DUI records that were turned away.  Generally, the agents are doing their job. Give them the information they request and you will be fine.

Remember to take off those sunglasses and bring your passport!!

This trip

We went over the border into Ottawa this time.  We Drove Highway 81 over the Thousand Island Bridge to Alexandria Bay Border Crossing (US side), Landsdowne Port of Entry (CA Side). There was a toll over the bridge.  Since it was on the American Side we were able to use our EZ-Pass to pay the toll.  The bridge road looked a bit old… But it was fine.

Next stop Canada! I made sure we had nothing that would be an issue. I had no Chicken, potatoes, illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco products… or anything that would be at issue.  We had trouble finding the correct lane for RVs to get to the inspection station and ended up in the wrong line.   Luckily we were able to find someone to let us into the correct lane.  We waited in line for about 10 minutes before our turn after getting into the correct line. The agent was friendly. We gave him our Passports. He also asked for our registration for the vehicle. We passed that to him and he asked us to open the rear window.  

Dakota (our dog) looked out at him…  That was it.  He started to ask about the dog and we discussed her breed, etc and from there is was just about his dog and ours and he was quite friendly.  He did ask for the Rabies Certificate (which we showed him). After a few minutes of talking about the dog, we were on our way. Who could resist a dog that cute??