Can any of my fine Canadian friends help on a few question please...

1- Are there any restrictions on bringing a dog across the border? I have tried to do searches and have found conflicting info regarding this.

2- Are there any specific restrictions on driving a truck across the border. I'm concerned about a trailer, propane tank (visible) and fuel (gasoline) cans that will be bumper mounted....

...any help you can provide either on the board or by e-mail would be appreciated. To help out before the flames start - the dog is up to date on all shots and is registered and in good health. The propane tank will be brand new-ish and in good repair w/ the most current valve on it and will be secured properly, the trailer is small, single axle, registered, inspected and insured,lights,spare tire and safety chains. Gas cans are Wedco brand, non-leaking, new-ish, full painted red to meet US DOT regs....

I am looking to cross near Alexandria Bay near Fort Drum NY on the Thousand Islands and then drive SW along the border down to Niagra , Canada and then cross back into NY there and back to NYC.

...any and all help would be greatly appreciated again.

This site has helped me alot on the past
http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/customs/menu-e.html

I've done some checks concerning dogs, as long as shots were current (with proof), there should not be any problems. Vacinations had to be done at least a month before going if I remember right. My vet was a big help on the issue.

Plenty of campers going back and forth without any problems, the ones I've seem equiped the same way as you have mentioned.

I worked as a veterinary technician for about 6 years while attending college and then quit when I got my degree. Anyway I know the law in Texas (and most other states and countries) you have to have proof of rabies vaccs usually a cert. given to you by the vet after recieving his rabies vaccs. Also you are required to show a health certificate at the border showing that the animal is free from any infectious diseases. Another website that you can go to other than the Candadian one posted by xCanuk is the US department of Agriculture. There is a link embedded in there about traveling to other countries with your pet and what is required to get them across the border. You should feel lucky though, Canada is not a country in which your pet has to be quarantined for a period of time.

This is exactly right, except the certificates need to be from within the past 3 years.

You shouldn't have any problems with the fuel at all.

Here's the main document for visitors to Canada, and don't forget to get a tax rebate form so that you can get back all the tax you pay in Canada!

http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4161/rc4161-02e.pdf

On another note, I'm looking for similar information for the US (dogs and tax rebates, radio communications and what is required at the border these days as valid ID)

Don't try to sneak a caribou rack through customs, they just might find it... unless you hide it in plain sight... like strapped to the front of your roofrack... and if they ask, tell em that you got it from a friend in VT on your way north....

I'd double check that point. U.S. to Canada the Rabies/booster has to be done within 2 years, but Canada to U.S. has to be within 1 year. Some difference between what is recognized between the 2 countries as proper precaution. (this is info I got last summer)

Valid ID.. I have still been able to get across with an expired passport and photo ID, (a valid one would be ideal). Things are always changing on what is the minimum, but driving across is usually more lax than flying.
Never bothered with the tax claim (if any), never buy much or claim anything when crossing.

And if you are going through the Peace Arch in Washington make sure not to joke about the great prices at the duty free store.
THen they will search you for cuban cigars.
It happened to me.
Pricks.

The main reason I ask is because I'm supposed to drive to Minneapolis with a friend born in Mexico with no birth certificate, passport or drivers license... she expects to get across with a student ID, which definately won't happen, and I'm hoping there's something else she can use since she's too damn stubborn..

I wouldn't chance it.. she might get caught in the twilight zone between borders. Even with a passport (in her case), you might have to look at a visa etc. (more than a student ID anyway)
I was in a similar situation when I crossed with some non citizen friends, all students, even with a passport it was a minor hassle both going and coming back.

i8a4re tell your friend to bring a good book. Long before 911 I went on a ski trip with a guy from England. He brought no valid id with him (No birth certificate or passport). We went skiing. He sat at the boarder all day.

Make sure you don't have any firearms with you as we have quite strict firearm regulations. As previously mentioned, all you should need for the dog is a current rabies certificate (signed by your vet) and proof of current vaccines. I've crossed several times with pets and have never been asked, but all it takes is one time.

I don't know if there are restrictions on what kind of food you can bring into Canada (ie, food in your trailer). I know crossing into the US, we are not allowed to bring meat or fruit. And you can expect to have your trailer searched inside...better to be safe than sorry. It's a hit and miss sort of thing.

I guess it depends on how honest you look. I've never had a problem either way, but then again I'm a chick and look pretty honest. And one more note, answer their questions only and do not offer any extra info. If they don't ask, don't tell them.

We've taken our three dogs down to NY and VT a few times. Always made sure we had our vacine papers but never been asked to produce them. 2 years has been the consensus.

Propane and gas will be no problem.

Have a good trip!

Ski_Patrol: What's the main tourist type thing to see in Ottawa? I'm coming across the border right down from your area and am looking to take Highway 416 up to the city from the border. Any suggestions from your neck of the woods would be greatly appreciated. I'll bring trinkets and stickers if you want to meet up to swap or something too....I'd love a Canadian Xterra club sticker or like for my truck.

Email your dates and I'll try to head up as well, I'll have SOXC stickers for you to boot.
Plenty to see in Ottawa, but can't tell you where.. its the only city I still get lost in.

Fuel externally is a No-No on the ferries, like I take in WA State to Vancouver Is. Same with firewood for some STUPID reason???
Also one litre of booze per adult is allowed or one case of beer!

XCanuk - I should be in the Prescot/Alexandria Bay Area on June 28-30th. Then a day in Ottawa - then from there I don't know. I haven't set any real times for this leg of the trip..

I'm leaving NC, USA on 6/21 >> NYC, then a trip to LI, Ny then to Marist, NY......leaving LI, NY for Prescot area on the 27th at night....looking to see Ottawa and then travel down 401 to Niagra Falls area and spend a day or 2 , then cross back in to NY there and go to Rochester, NY then to LI, NY again.....total leg will be from 6/27 - 7/5...

any LIE'rs , Upstate NY'rks or Ontario Prov Canadians that what to meet up swap stories , take photo opps or trade trinkets feel free to email me....I'll also be on HAM radio 10meter mobile 28.400 most of the time too...(KB2HCW)

Those dates are a little booked, but I can always try.. its only a 2 hour skip over for me.

Good time to cross and be in Ottawa, July 1st here is your July 4th and there should be plenty of parties, street festivals etc. to be had all around the parliment (Capital building) in Ottawa.

If you make a stop off in Toronto after Ottawa, there are plenty of members there that would try to hook up with you (good group of guys) I suggest a double post in the SOXC forum below.

Crossing the border is completely hit-or-miss. Most of the time, they don't bother much beyond the usual "where are you going? where are you coming from? how long do you intend to stay?", and sometimes they tear your car to pieces and leave it for you to put together again.

I just crossed the U.S./Canada border 3 times in the last two weeks, and the last time (back to the U.S.), he didn't ask me a single question. Looked at my I.D., typed some things on a keyboard and waved me away.

You never can tell.

If you can get in a line with a male guard, do it. The women tend to be much more strict than the men.

Not entirly true. I have been traveling back and forth from Fredericton to Bar Harbor, ME every week for the last month. The last 2 times we had a woman sitting in the US Customs shack with her feet up and waved us right through.

Going back to Canada has been easy. The same couple of questions. "Where have you been?" "How long have you been out of Canada?" and "Do you have anything to claim?"

whoa whoa whoa
If the border patrol tears your car apart and find nothing, it is THEIR responsibility
to put it back together.
If they try to get out of it, all you have to do is remind them of their responsibility.

Actually, no it's not. Happened to my mom's 83 Volvo in 1991

I work as a veterinary technician. Here is what you need, proof of a current rabies vaccination, health certificate confirming that the animal is non contagious or infectious, the health certificate has to be issued within two weeks from when you are traveling,(might be a month but I think its only good for 2 weeks. If you plan on kenneling or boarding your dog you will need proof of all other vaccinations, if not then rabies vax should be all you need. For further info contact the American Veterinary Medical Association or the USDA.

Hey EMT - there are a bunch of us in SOXC in Toronto and surrounding areas that would be more than happy to meet up with you on your way through.

Actually a bunch of us are getting together to do some wheeling on Saturday June 28th during the day in Minden, followed by dinner at a local restaurant in Brampton, than a movie afterwards, Saturday night in Brampton.

A bunch of us are also getting together just north of Toronto again on Sunday for a "rec" day...walking dogs, MTB'ing, etc...

If you're in the area and would like to join us for any of these activities, by all means, do so. If you're around on a different day, myself and maybe a few others would still be willing to get together on your way through.

I'll PM you my cel phone number and you can give me a shout when/if you're in the Toronto area and would like to hook up, even if just for a coffee on the way through.

-PETE

I know. Hence my use of the word "tend".

Also, I don't know whether it's officially the border guard's responsibility to put anything back the way they found it after they pull it all apart, whether it's your groceries or your seat cushions, but they never have the few times they've searched us.

emt_diver:

People find Ottawa a nice balance. Lots of city stuff, festivals, museums, music, casino, pubs.

Touristy things too. Changing of the Guards on Parliment Hill, boat cruises on the River. etc.

(Beer festival is this weekend)

But the city is small enough that the great outdoors is not too far away. Good spots for biking (mountain and road). Fishing, camping.

I don't do any off-roading for the sake of off-roading. My off-roading is always associated with other activities. But I will find out about places to go if that's your cup o' tea.

I am guessing that you're a diver from your handle. The St-Lawrence has some good dive sites.

Let me know your dates and interests and I will e-mail you stuff that you would find interesting.

If I'm in the area we can try and link up..

Xcanuk is just an hour or so down the road. Been to his website. He has nice swag and many great upgrades....

Warren