<\/p>\n
Usually, you\u2019d visit our site for tips about RVing in the USA. But you might be feeling inspired to take the RV on up to Canada after our article about where to RV internationally. Or you know you\u2019ll need to cross through The Great White North to visit all the places on our list of things to do in Alaska. We can\u2019t blame you either way! Despite the excitement that awaits, those aspirations to visit our northern neighbors might come with some apprehension about what it takes to cross the border in an RV. Luckily, it\u2019s not as complicated as you may think! And we have a guide to breaking it all down for you. Here\u2019s everything you need to know before traveling to Canada in Your RV.<\/p>\n
Yes, you do need a passport to cross into Canada. If you\u2019ve never had a passport before, a first-time application will cost $110. You\u2019ll also need to get your photo taken at a passport photo location like the post office, a drugstore that offers passport photo services, or certain travel agencies. Once you submit your paperwork, it will take about 6-8 weeks to come in. The only exception of travel to Canada is that children under 16 can use birth certificates as border crossing paperwork. However, traveling with a child you share custody of will require additional paperwork. Make sure that you have everyone\u2019s passports ready to go when you pull up to the border agent\u2019s window. Double and triple before you leave that you have everyone\u2019s passports in the vehicle and ready to go.<\/p>\n
In addition to passports, you\u2019ll also need your proof of insurance and registration for your vehicle. They may not ask for this documentation, but it is required both entering Canada and re-entering the United States. So make sure it\u2019s in the vehicle before you leave home.<\/p>\n
The signage can be confusing and there are rarely signs that say \u201cRVs go here\u201d – but for the sake of border crossing, your vehicle is considered a car. The lines for \u201ctrucks\u201d are most often referring to 18-wheelers crossing commercially. You don\u2019t need to be in that line.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no predicting exactly how much time it will take to cross the border. If you\u2019re in an urban area, sometimes crossing during rush hour can take a long time because of commuters that work across the border. In rural areas, your border crossing may be longer than usual because they have smaller staffs. The key is to never arrive at the border in a hurry or with an agenda to be somewhere by a certain time.<\/p>\n
Sometimes crossing is as easy as answering 4 or 5 questions and being on your way, and other times a border agent will board your vehicle and do an extensive search. These searches can be random but don\u2019t be shocked if you get pulled for one (either leaving or re-entering the USA). Be prepared for the border agent to go through every cabinet and cubby in the RV, and to sometimes leave it a mess after they\u2019re done. It just comes with the territory.<\/p>\n
The border agents\u2019 questions can feel intimidating and prying – because they\u2019re supposed to. Their job is to get the bad guys to crack. And even though you have pure intentions when you travel, humor isn\u2019t the way to convey that. The best thing to do is to take their questions seriously when they ask things like the purpose of your trip, how long you are staying, who you work for or if you have anything to declare. When you have nothing to hide, honesty is the best policy and will go a long way with the agents you interact with.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re traveling with a furry friend into Canada when the border agent asks if you have anything to declare, you\u2019ll want to mention your pet. For most animals, a rabies vaccination certificate is required, so be sure to have the proper certificate on hand that has been issued by a licensed veterinarian and lists the vaccination date and duration as well as the trade name and a serial number of the vaccine.<\/p>\n
A health certificate is not required for traditional pets but it\u2019s not a bad idea to bring one along just in case. If your pet looks sick, the border agent may ask more questions. Traveling with non-traditional pets like birds and reptiles may require some extra paperwork so be sure to read up on the requirements on the Canadian government website to know what\u2019s required before you travel. Be aware that Ontario has an anti-bully breed law that prevents pitbull-type dogs from traveling in the province.<\/p>\n
This is where things get a bit more complicated for RV travelers than other drivers crossing in cars. RVers are often traveling for extended periods. Bringing along food for the trip. And in some cases, equipment for outdoor activities like hunting. You\u2019ll need to keep in mind the need to declare certain items when you\u2019re packing for your trip. Non-perishable food items aren\u2019t usually an issue. Bringing things like meat, dairy, fruits, and vegetables across the border can get dicey. There are also limitations on how much alcohol and tobacco you\u2019re allowed to cross with as well.<\/p>\n
Be sure to read up on the restrictions. And if you can, plan to buy your perishable foods after you cross the border. As far as weapons go, Canada is very strict with this. If your weapon is on the list of weapons allowed, it must be declared. You need the registered paperwork along with a permit fee. It also must be locked away, separate from the ammunition. Leaving weapons at home when you travel to Canada is the simplest way to do it. But if you must cross with weapons, be sure to read up on the restrictions thoroughly before doing so.<\/p>\n
Now that you have the guide on how to do it, there should be nothing holding you back from experiencing Canada in your RV! As long as you bring your patience along for the border crossing process, you will be just fine. There are hundreds of new places north of the border just waiting for you to explore and enjoy!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Usually, you\u2019d visit our site for tips about RVing in the USA. But you might be feeling inspired to take the RV on up to Canada after our article about where to RV internationally. Or you know you\u2019ll need to cross through The Great White North to visit all the places on our list […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":55,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[2285],"class_list":["post-11461","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-rv-destinations","tag-canada-in-your-rv"],"yoast_head":"\n