HEAD FOR THE BORDER...with these border crossing regulations in mind.

Canada is so close and accessible it's easy to forget it's a foreign country. And, being a foreign country, it has its share of border-crossing regulations. Not to worry - crossing the border is a smooth procedure if you're able to follow directions. Scan these pages before you head north and contact the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at 1-800-461-9999, or visit www.cbsa.gc.ca for more information.

ENTERING CANADA

When you enter Canada, a Border Services Officer may ask to see your passport and a valid identification or a visa, when necessary. Under the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), U.S., travelers are required to carry a valid passport if traveling by air as of January 2007 and may be required to carry a valid passport of other secure document, such as a NEXUS card, when re-entering the U.S. by land or summer as soon as 2008., Individuals may qualify to participate in Nexus if they are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or Canada residing in either country or if they are a citizen of a country other than the United States or Canada, who plan to temporarily reside lawfully in Canada or the United States for the term of their Nexus membership and who pass security background screening process. For more information on admissibility to Canada, please visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada website @ www.cic.gc.ca.

INADMISSIBLE TO CANADA FOR REASONS OF CRIMINALITY, INCLUDING (DWI)

A conviction for Driving while Intoxicated (DWI) in the United States is an offence that is equivalent to a criminal offence under Canadian law. To overcome inadmissibility, criminally inadmissible persons must obtain rehabilitation approval or a pardon.

An individual can be deemed rehabilitated which will allow entry into Canada and overcome what used to make someone inadmissible in the past.

People who are deemed to be inadmissible at the port of entry can occasionally be issued a Temporary Resident Permit to overcome the inadmissibility. This is sometimes referred to as a Minister's Permit or Discretionary Entry. The fee for this document is $200 and there must be compelling reasons to allow an inadmissible person or a person in violation of the Act to come into Canada and the risk to Canadians or Canadian society is minimal.

ENTRY BY PRIVATE VEHICLE

The entry of vehicles and vacation trailers into Canada for touring purposes is generally a quick and routine matter. Permits, if required, are issued at the time of entry.

Rental vehicles or trailers are also admissible, however, the vehicle regulation forms should be carried together with a copy of the rental agreement. Visitors entering Canada with vehicles not registered to them should carry a letter from the owner indicating authorized use of the vehicle. Note: Guidelines for entry by private aircraft is available from Tourism Canada.

ENTRY BY BOAT

Arrival procedures: If you arrive in Canada aboard a private boat, you must proceed directly to the nearest designated telephone reporting marina site. Upon arrival in Canada, the master of the boat must report to the CBSA by calling 1-888-226-7277. The master of the boat will provide details of the voyage, the passengers and their declaration. No one, except the master, may leave the boat until authorized to do so by CBSA. As proof of presentation, masters will be provided with a report number for their records. Masters must provide this number to a Border Services Officer upon request.

You do not have to report to the CBSA when you leave by private boat unless you are exporting goods that need to be documented. To get a list of the designated telephone reporting marine sites, call 1-888-226-7277 before you arrive in Canada.

PERSONAL GOODS

Visitors may bring personal goods into Canada duty- and tax-free provided all such goods are declared to CBSA on arrival and are not subject to restrictions. Personal goods includes things like clothing, camping equipment, sports equipment, personal computers and cameras. It also includes vehicles, private boats and aircraft.

You must declare all goods when you arrive at the CBSA port of entry. Border Services Officers do conduct examinations of goods being imported or exported to verify declarations.

If you meet the minimum age requirements of the province or territory where you enter Canada, you can include limited quantities of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in your personal entitlement. These items must accompany you on your arrival.

Alcoholic Beverages

You are allowed to import only one of the following amounts of alcohol free of duty and taxes:

• 1.5 litres (53 imperial ounces) of wine;
• 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of liquor;
• a total of 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of wine and liquor;or
• 24 X355 millilitre (12 ounces) cans or bottles of beer or ale

Tobacco products

You are allowed to bring in all of the following amounts of tobacco into Canada without paying duty:

• 200 cigarettes;
• 50 cigars or cigarillos;
• 200 grams (7 ounces) of manufactured tobacco; and
• 200 tobacco sticks.

PETS

Domestic dogs and cats may be brought into Canada provided each animal is accompanied by a licensed veterinarian certificate identifying the animal and certifying that the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies during the proceeding 36-month period. Under the National Animal Health Program, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency establishes import requirements for all animals and animal products entering Canada-including domestic pets. The Agency can refuse entry to any animal presented for importation.

If you need information on importing exotic pet animals, you can refer to the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council of Canada (PIJAC Canada) Web site.

FIREARMS

If you wish to bring a firearm into Canada, you must be at least 18 years old. If you are younger than 18, you may use a firearm in certain circumstances, but an adult must remain responsible for the firearm

There are 3 classes of firearms in Canada:

• Non-restricted (most common rifles and shotguns): These may generally be imported for purposes such as hunting, protection from wildlife animals in remote wilderness areas where firearms are allowed, or target-shooting.
• Restricted: these are allowed for certain purposes, such as target shooting at an approved club or range but they are not allowed for hunting or self- protection.
• Prohibited: you cannot bring in a prohibited firearm into Canada.
  

All visitors must declare all firearms to the CBSA. Most provinces and territories have regulations concerning the transportation of firearms. Visitors should check with the province.

Fireams in National Parks

Hunting is prohibited in Canada's national parks

HUNTING & FISHING

Federal, provincial, and territorial laws govern hunting. Non-residents are required to obtain a hunting license from each province or territory in which they plan to hunt. When hunting migratory game birds, a federal migratory game bird hunting permit is also required. This permit is available at most Canadian post offices. In many of Canada's provincial parks, reserves, and adjacent areas, the entry of any type of weapon is forbidden. Further regulations can be obtained from each province. In the Northwest Territories, export permits are required to take out all unprocessed wildlife.

Federal, provincial, and territorial laws also govern fishing. Anglers must possess non-resident licenses for the provinces or territories in which they plan to fish. British Columbia also requires tidal water sport fishing licenses. Special fishing permits are required to fish in all national parks. These permits can be obtained at any national park for a nominal fee and are valid in all national parks across Canada. No permit is required to import fishing tackle for personal use. Foreign fishing guides are not permitted to work in Canada without an authorization card.

RETURNING TO THE STATES

It is the responsibility of travelers to satisfy U.S. customs authorities of their rights to re-enter the United States and have the necessary form of identification. Re-entry can be simplified if travelers keep a list of purchases, have sales receipts and invoices handy, and pack purchases separately for inspection.

MAPS & CHARTS

Provincial and territorial highway maps may be obtained from tourist information offices. Maps and Charts are available from:

Canada Map Office (613) 952-7000
Natural Resources Canada
615 Booth St., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0E9

DUTY FREE SHOPPING

Duty Free shopping is available at both the U.S. and Canadian Plazas. On the U.S. side, the Duty Free Store is located north of the toll plaza across from the U.S. Customs facility. On the Canadian side, the Duty Free store is located adjacent to the CBSA facility on the bridge approach roadway.

You are allowed to access Duty Free shopping any time you are in the Duty Free area. However, you must continue cross the bridge. If you enter the U.S. Duty free area, you must continue to Canada and if you enter the Canadian Duty free area, you must cross to the U.S. and pay the toll. There are NO EXCEPTIONS.

Rules governing the purchase of goods from Duty free may be obtained from the Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Duty Free Store 906-635-5031 or Rules governing the purchase of goods from Duty Free may be obtained from the Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Duty Free Store, 705-759-6333.

GOODS AND SERVICES TAX (GST) AND CURRENCY EXCHANGE

Due to changes to the law that took effect on April 1, 2007, a goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST) refund is no longer available.