Know Before You Go : Canadian & International Travel
CROSSING THE CANADA-U . S . BORDER
All U . S . citizens aged 16 and older , entering Canada by air ( including in-transit passengers who are transferring planes in the U . S .), land or water , must present one of the following documents : a passport or passport card ; an Enhanced Driver ’ s License ; or a Trusted Traveler Program Card ( SENTRI , NEXUS or FAST Card ). Travellers aged 15 and under require a birth certificate for land or sea travel and a passport for air travel . For current requirements go to : cic . gc . ca .
If you are traveling with your own children under the age of 16 and your spouse , bring their birth certificates . If you are traveling with a child other than your own or without your spouse , have the child ’ s birth certificate along with a letter of permission , including name and contact information for that child ’ s parents / guardians or your spouse . This is needed in case Customs officers decide to verify you have permission to bring the child into Canada .
Visitors from all other countries require a valid passport and , in some cases , a visitor ’ s visa . Starting March 15 , 2016 , visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada will need an Electronic Travel Authorization ( ETA ). Exceptions include U . S . citizens and travellers with a valid visa .
For more information : Canada Border Services Agency : www . cbsa . gc . ca Within Canada : 1-800-461-9999 , TY Within Canada : 1-866-335-3237 Outside of Canada : 204-983-3500 U . S . Customs and Border Protection www . cbp . gov or www . getyouhome . gov Within the U . S .: 1-877-CBP-5511 , TTY Within the U . S .: 1-866-6582 Outside of the U . S .: ( 202 ) 325-8000 Grand Portage , MN Port of Entry : ( 218 ) 475-2244 FAQs : www . canadawelcomesyou . com , www . travel . state . gov
IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR U . S . RESIDENTS
If you or anyone in your party has a felony or misdemeanor conviction , you may not be allowed into Canada . This includes such offences as a DUI . Your admissibility to Canada depends on the nature of the offence , how many offences you have , as well as how long ago it occurred . If this applies to you or someone traveling with you , it is imperative you contact Immigration Canada well in advance of your arrival . You will likely have to complete some paperwork and Immigration Canada authorities will then advise you of the likelihood of being allowed into Canada . Final determination of your admissibility into Canada is only made when you cross the border .
Contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada at www . cic . gc . ca / english / visit / tourist . asp or the Canadian Consulate in New York , NY www . can-am . gc . ca / new-york / regarding any forms you may be required to fill out . You may also wish to call an Immigration Officer at the Sault Ste . Marie , Ontario Port of Entry to discuss your situation at 1-800-461-9999 or ( 204 ) 983-3500 ( calls outside of Canada ). Frequently asked questions for Americans traveling outside of the U . S . are available on these two websites : www . cbsa . gc . ca or www . travel . state . gov
WHAT CAN & CAN ’ T COME INTO CANADA
Residents of the United States who visit Canada are allowed to bring in a “ reasonable ” amount of personal goods duty free . The amount you bring should align with your length of stay . Limits for some of the regulated items :
• Alcohol : If you are 19 years of age or older and crossing the border into Ontario , you can bring , free of duty and taxes , either 1.5 litres ( 50 oz .) of wine , 1.14 litres ( 40 oz .) of liquor , or 24 X 355 millilitres ( 12 oz .) of beer or ale . If you bring in more than the amount listed here , you will be required to pay the duty at the Border on excess amounts . Make sure you fully declare all alcohol in your possession .
• Tobacco : If you are 19 years of age or older and crossing the border into Ontario , you are allowed to bring , free of duty , up to 200 cigarettes , 50 cigars , 200 grams ( 7 oz .) of manufactured tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks . You may bring additional quantities but you will be required to pay duties & taxes on the excess amounts .
• Food Products : What is and what is not allowed changes frequently , visit www . inspection . gc . ca for current information prior to your departure .
• Pets : Dogs and cats accompanying their owners from the U . S . must have current ( within 36 months ) rabies vaccination certificates . Owners from other countries who wish to bring their pets with them should contact 1-800-442-2342 / 1 ( 613 ) 225-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 or visit www . inspection . gc . ca
RESIDENTS RETURNING TO THE U . S .
Returning U . S . residents are eligible for $ 800 duty-free personal exemption every 31 days , having remained no less than 48 hours beyond the territorial limits of the United States except U . S . Virgin Islands , in a contiguous country which maintains free zone or free port , has remained beyond the territorial limits of the United States not exceeding 24 hours . This exemption includes no more than 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars . Visit : www . cbp . gov for more information
VEHICLES & INSURANCE
Any necessary permits are issued at the port of entry . If you ’ ve rented a vehicle or trailer , make sure you bring along a copy of the rental contract , which stipulates that you have permission to use it in Canada . U . S . motorists planning to travel in Canada are advised to obtain a Canadian Non-Resident Interprovincial Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card available only in the U . S . Contact your local insurance agency . For more info contact Canadian Border Services ( 204 ) 983-3500 , or ( 506 ) 636-5064 , or visit www . cbsa . gc . ca
SEAT BELTS
Ontario Law requires that adults and children over 40lbs / 18kg in weight wear seat belts . Infants from birth to 20lbs / 9kg in weight must travel in a rear-facing child restraint system . Toddlers weighting 20-40lbs / 9-18kg must travel in a front-facing child restraint seat .
HOSPITALS & HEALTH INSURANCE
Most communities have hospitals and / or resident doctors . Wise travelers will check with their medical service plans to ensure they will be covered while in Canada , as health insurance plan may not
79 2017 Algoma Travel Guide