What are current regulations for land crossings to/from Canada?

[Pab Sungenis]

I know you need (or are supposed to need) passports for air trips to/from Canada now, but have the new regulations gone into effect for land crossings? I vaguely remember that they were to go into effect in October, but I wanted to make sure.

Bryan and I are attending the wedding of a good friend in Detroit this weekend, and for the trip back, I'm seriously tempted to forgo the return trip across Ohio and Pennsylvania by dipping down into Windsor and cut back along Southern Ontario into western New York. See some different sights, and maybe poke my head in on family on the Southern Tier.

Would we need to have our passports for that trip? They haven't arrived yet. Will other proof of citizenship and identity still work?

[shadowknows69]

1. Proof of ID and citizenship

Birth certificate and Driver's L should cut it. Some of them may demand the BC so that's important to have.

[mmonk]

There was a delay in the new restrictions.

Be that as it may, we got our passports when the craziness started. We're prepared for the worst.

[marmar]

2. Yup...Birth cert and drivers licensce are enough, but I've found it's quicker and easier...

with the passport.

[meegbear]

3. Passports are the best way to go if you have them ...

else, have your license, and if possible, a copy of your birth certificate.

Couple of quick tips:

When asked where were you born, say the city and state ("Springfield, Illinois") and not "USA". They may take that as being smart and may start asking more questions.

If asked, you have never been to jail or to court, even for jury duty. Any hint of legal problems can have them pull you into customs for questioning. They may just question you more on it and that's it. They may do a full check on you and if they find anything, they may deny you entry.

Give short, straight answers. People tend to forget Canada is another country and they don't like snug-acting people as much as anybody else does. In the end, they can deny you entry for any reason.

The same rules apply when coming back.

[Pab Sungenis]

4. We've crossed before

and I know the usual lines of questioning and correct ways to answer. (One of my favorites during the BCE scares was "did you visit a farm in Canada?" I knew the intention, but the way he said it nearly cracked me up.)

[meegbear]

5. Wasn't asked that one ...

but I was on a tour bus coming back Labor Day weekend with a predominantly older crowd and they came one board for "idle talk" and asked if anyone hit big at the Montreal casino, trying to ensure they got their taxes.

I've usually gone for Montreal pride and they've left us alone, but about 15 minutes before we reach the border, the guides give us "the lecture" and thats some of what we are told.

[tyedyeto]

6. Not Canada, I know, but I went down to Nogales Mexico yesterday

on a cigarette and booze run at the duty free store. When crossing with our goods, I just had to say United States. No ID was required. But then, I'm a WASP to them visually. Coming back, about 20 or so miles up the freeway is a "border checkpoint" and you just have to say US if you look WASPish. I've never gone down with anyone who is Hispanic so don't know what hoops you have to go through if you are a different 'color'.

Have fun on your trip!


edit for spelling

[mak3cats]

7. Greetings from Western New York!

The last time I crossed Canada heading to Sarnia / Port Huron (and the return trip) was last summer. We all had driver's licenses and birth certificates (especially important if you're traveling with children), but we didn't have to produce them at any of the four entry points.

[shadowknows69]

8. Don't rely on that though

because I can almost guarantee they'll be bigger pricks about it on the way back.