 Tips
for Crossing the Canada/US Border
The Canada / US border is the friendliest
border in the world. Below are a few guidelines to help make
your crossing as quick and easy as possible. With the current
increase in security concerns it still generally takes less than
1/2 hour to cross the border. It is possible however to meet
with longer border crossing delays, especially at peak crossing
times. For current border crossing times follow these links.
 Border
wait time into Canada
 Border wait times into United States
Passport
requirement for entering, or re-entering, the United States
beginning December 31, 2006
Starting December 31st 2006, the United
States will begin implementing a requirement for passports to
enter the United States. This will affect visitors to the US
and US residents re-entering the US. The first phase of the requirement
for passports will affect people traveling by air into the US
and begin December 31, 2006. The second phase of the requirement
for passports will begin December 31, 2007, and will affect all
persons traveling to the US whether by ground, air, or water.
Although passports will not be required until after the end of
2006, passports are actually the best form of identification
for crossing the border.
United States Citizens wishing to obtain a US passport should
go to the US State Department website at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
ENTERING
CANADA
Identification
United States citizens and legal residents
of the United States do not need passports or visas to enter
Canada as visitors. If you do have a valid passport we recommend
bringing it since it will help facilitate crossing the border
both into Canada and returning to the United States.
When crossing the border you may be asked
to show proof of citizenship such as birth,voter's, naturalization
certificate or passport. If the identification does not have
a picture ID you may be asked to provide this as well. A drivers
license is generally sufficient for picture ID but is not proof
of citizenship by itself. Photocopies of any identification are
not acceptable and may initiate a more thorough investigation.
You
should have at least one document from each of these categories
to facilitate crossing the
United States - Canada Border
| Proof
of Citizenship |
Proof
of Identity |
-Passport
-Birth Certificate
-Voters Certificate
-Naturalization Certificate |
-Passport
-Drivers License |
|
Passports are the best form of
identification because they prove both identity and citizenship.
To apply for a US passport go to the US State Department website
at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html |
Children
Canada Customs and Immigration officers
and United States Customs officers are members of or affiliated
with Child Find Canada,
Child Find of America,
and the National Center
for Missing and Exploited Children. You may be asked to produce
birth certificates. Anyone traveling with children not their
own may be required to show written permission from the child's
parent(s) and proper identification (birth certificate). For
more information about Canada's Border Agencies role in protecting
abducted children please go to this website: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/enforcement/missing-e.html.
Other Countries
Visitors from countries other than the
US require a valid passport and in some cases a visitor's visa.
Visas are issued by Canadian Immigration offices, embassies and
consulates.
Criminal Records
Individuals with criminal records wishing
to enter Canada can apply for a waiver. This should be done a
minimum of 3 - 4 weeks in advance of the intended visit and can
take up to 6 months. It should be noted that Driving Under the
Influence convictions are considered a criminal offense in Canada
which may effect your ability to enter Canada. For more information
on how to get waivers or pardons on DUI's, and other convictions
which may affect your ability to visit Canada, please go to this
website: www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/conviction.html.
Persons without waivers who have only DUI's
or other less serious criminal convictions and have no criminal
convictions in the past 10 years may be considered rehabilitated
when they reach the border but this is at the Canada Immigration
officer's discretion. A "Remote Area Border Crossing Permit"
may assist the Immigration officer in determining admissibility
to Canada since it requires normal background checks. This permit
costs $30.ºº Canadian (approx. $20.ºº US).
More information regarding the "Remote Area Border Crossing
Permit", and other programs which simplify entering Canada
such as "CANPASS" visit this website: www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/travellers.html.
Private Planes
If you wish to fly your own plane in Canada,
you must make arrangements to clear customs. For our area Sault
Ste Marie is the most convenient airport to clear customs and
immigrations. General information on entering Canada by private
plane is in this website: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/canpass/generalavi-e.html.
Contact Canada customs before you arrive so they can meet you
at the airport using this information: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/listing/offices/office263-e.html.
You can leave your airplane at Sault Ste Marie or continue to
the Wawa ariport. If you have an amphibious airplane your can
fly right up to our resort.
NavCanada Website: www.NavCanada.ca
Sault Ste Marie Airport: www.SaultAirport.com
Wawa Airport:
Reference: N47 58 00 W84 47 12 1.7 SSW
7 degW UTC-5(4) Elev. 942' A5001
F-21 L04 HE4 CAP |
The airport is open daily from:
7:30 - 8:00 p.m. May - August
7:30 - 4:00 p.m. September - April |
Fuel: JET A1, 100 Low Lead
Oil: Shell Multi Grade, W80, W100, 100 |
After Hours:
Call-outs: $50.00 CDN
Pager #: 856-2344
SSM FSS 1-800-463-6377 |
|
Wawa Municipal Airport has a 1200 m runway
There is a public telephone on the Apron side of the Terminal
For flight plan FSS call 1-800-463-6377 or WX W4 1-705-856-1399
|
CUSTOMS RESTRICTIONS FOR VISITORS
TO CANADA
Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Products
For short-term visitors to Canada, the
following restrictions apply per person:
-1.14 liters (40 oz.) of liquor or wine,
or 24 x 355ml (12 oz.) bottles or cans of beer or ale (8.5 liters)
-200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or cigarillos or 400 grams of manufactured
tobacco or 400 tobacco sticks
You must be 19 years of age or older to import alcoholic beverages
or tobacco products into Ontario.
Weapons
Firearms are strictly controlled and many
are not permitted in Canada. Handguns and assault weapons are
strictly prohibited. U.S. law enforcement personnel and other
persons legally carrying a firearms may check their firearms
with Canada Customs and Immigration at their point of entry into
Canada and the firearms will be returned to them when they leave
Canada at the same border point or at another prearranged border
point at their discretion.
Other Goods
Certain goods are restricted from entering
Canada. If you are considering importing meat or dairy products,
weapons, plants, vehicles, or exotic animals or products made
from their skins or feathers, please contact Canada Customs beforehand
for guidance.
WHILE
IN CANADA
Travel and Medical Insurance
Travel and Medical Insurance is something
you almost never need on vacation. But, if an unexpected situation
arises insurance can save considerable expense and stress.
 This website provides insurance quotes from a number
of travel and medical insurance providers. www.InsureMyTrip.com
You should double check that your insurance
policy covers you during your time in Canada. Consider purchasing
supplemental or other insurance if your own policy is not enough.
You may wish to check with your health insurance company to ensure
that your policy includes coverage for medical evacuations to
the United States as well as escorts to the United States, hospitalization
abroad, premature birth abroad, and other coverage for a beneficiary
who is involved in an accident or illness outside the United
States. Carry details of your insurance plan with you (and leave
a copy with a relative or friend at home).
**Please note: The U.S. Social Security
Medicare Program does not provide for payment of hospital or
medical services outside the United States.
Your Money Goes Further
US dollars, the Euro, and several other
foreign currencies, enjoy a premium rate of exchange in Canada.
Credit Cards are generally processed in Canadian dollars with,
again generally, a fairly favorable exchange rate by the Credit
Card companies.
   At our resort we
accept VISA, Mastercard, Debit Cards, as well as US and Canadian
Cash or Travelers Checks. For deposits on reservations we also
accept personal or business checks, in Canadian or U.S. funds.
We offer a fluctuating US exchange rate which is within 2% of
our banks rate for buying US cash. For the last few years our
US exchange rate for has been $1.00 US dollars equals from $1.15
to $1.25 Canadian. Other Canadian merchants may have different
exchange rate policies. For the Euro; ¤ 1.00 is worth
approximately $1.40 Canadian.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) Rebates
As a visitor to Canada you can claim a
refund of 7% on every dollar spent while in the country on accommodation
and most goods you take home. If crossing into the United States
at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario you can claim your 7% GST cash rebate
at the Duty Free Store on the Canadian side of the International
Bridge approach. Be sure to keep your receipts for instant GST
rebates (Minimum acceptable expenditures, excluding taxes, must
cumulatively total a minimum of $200.ºº with each individual
acceptable receipt totaling at least $50.ºº). Collecting
your GST rebates is quick and uncomplicated and we will thoroughly
explain the process to you before you leave our resort.
Automobile Radar Detectors
It is illegal to take automobile radar
detectors into the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba
or into the Yukon and Northwest territories. The police will
confiscate radar detectors, whether in use or not, and may impose
fines up to $1000.
RETURNING
TO THE UNITED STATES
Immigration
To re-enter the United States, returning
U.S. citizens need to show the Bureau of Citizenship and Naturalization
Services or the Department of Homeland Security officer proof
of identity and citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate,
or certificate of naturalization (for citizenship) and photo
identification (such as a driver's license) for identity. A U.S.
passport is proof of both citizenship and identity. Persons who
are dual nationals should enter using U.S. documents only, as
they could be fined under U.S. law for entering the U.S. on a
foreign passport.
U.S. Customs
Articles acquired abroad and brought back
with you into the United States are subject to duty and internal
revenue tax. As a returning U.S. resident, you are allowed to
bring back $400 worth of merchandise duty free. However, you
must have been outside the U.S. for at least 48 hours, and you
must not have used this exemption within the preceding 30-day
period. The next $1,000 worth of items you bring back with you
for personal use or gifts are dutiable at a flat 10 percent rate.
Any dollar amount of an article or articles over $1000 is subject
to variable duties.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Sault Ste.
Marie, Ontario:
Canada Customs and Immigration
125 Huron Street, Bridge Plaza
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1R3
Automated Immigration/Visitor Information:
Phone: (705) 941-3100
Canadian Government Websites:
Border
wait time into Canada
Visiting
Canada
Citizenship
and Immigration Canada
Canada
Customs and Revenue Agency
Sault Ste
Marie, Michigan:
U.S. Customs Service
International Bridge Plaza
Sault Ste. Marie, MI. 49783-1492
Phone: (906) 632-2631
U.S. government websites:
Border
wait times into United States
U.S.
Department of State
For Walleye Fishing, Northern Pike
Fishing, more Wildlife Viewing, longer relaxing vacations, and
other information about our secluded train-in vacation resort
in Northern Ontario Canada, please visit our main web site for
Errington's Wilderness Island Resort at
www.WildernessIsland.com
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Travel & Adventure in Canada - Reisen & Abenteuer in
Kanada
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