Entering Canada

To drive through Canada, people need to know the necessary ID requirements. American citizens who arrive into Canada driving must prove their citizenship and produce a photo ID. Passport requirements are normally different for visitors who arrive by plane and those who arrive by road. When traveling by road into Canada, passengers need to give the driver their ID and passport shortly before reaching at the border services booth. This ensures that the passengers do not have to start looking for the document when they are at the border services booth. Or children traveling without both their parents they require a note from their parents or guardians indicating that they have permission to leave their country. The parent's names and contacts must be clearly indicated. When a child or children are traveling with just one parent then it is advised that a note from the absent parent accompany the children.

There are some items that can be accepted or rejected to cross the border. Information on such items can be gotten from Canada border services. They can advise travelers whether to bring in pets, what measure of alcohol and tobacco is allowed, restrictions on motor boats and hunting rifles etc. since stolen cars are smuggled across the border, cars driving into Canada need to have proper car registration documents. This also avoids scenarios where tourist cars can be considered as cars purchased outside Canada and being brought in as tourist cars to avoid paying duties. Questions asked by the border services officers need to be answered correctly, such as how long people intend to stay in the country, the reason for entering into the country and an address of where they will be staying. 

Items purchased at the Canada/U.S. border duty free must be supported with receipts when they are required. Items like tobacco and alcohol attract heavy duties in Canada but are very cheap at the duty free shopping. However, it should be noted that items bought there must be consumed while in Canada without leaving the country with them. Upon arrival at border services booth the driver should roll down the front and back windows if there are passengers in the back seat. This enables the border service officer to address everybody in the vehicle at once. To save travel time it is advisable for people to check out the border wait times before crossing. When faced with an option between two or three border crossings, the waiting time can enable travelers to choose which border crossing favors them. Some border crossings can have more custom inspections than others. 

When entering Canada, travelers need to be aware of the changes at border policy called WHTI, which refers to western hemisphere travel initiative that no longer recognizes US citizen's oral declarations of citizenship. Sea and on-land crossings require proof of citizenship, government issued photo ID or a birth certificate. A passport though is highly recommended, especially for those getting into Canada by sea or air. Those driving into Canada using rental vehicles should first confirm with the rental company if such cars will be allowed entry into Canada.