Do I need a Passport?
How Long Is The Wait to Cross the Border?
What Documentation Do I Need?
Customs Contact Information
What Questions Will They Ask at the Border?
May I Bring Pets?
The thought of crossing the border makes many people nervous. Even crossing the border between the US and Canada to come to Vancouver is anxiety provoking for many.
That's probably because most honest, forthright people aren't used to dealing with the authorities so don't know what to expect when they cross the border. They worry their cars may be searched or that they may be detained or turned back.
However, rest assured that the process is easy and should cause you no worry at all as long, of course, as you're not trying to smuggle several kilos of marijuana in your spare tire or wheel wells, or several of cases of cigarettes and alcohol under the seats or in your luggage.
If you have specific questions not answered here, contact Canadian Immigration Services: 1-800-461-9999 or US Customs at the Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine, WA: 360-332-8512.
How many border crossings are near Vancouver?
There are four. They are listed from west to east;
* The main border crossing is the Peace Arch / Blaine crossing. The Peace Arch is the most beautiful and popular of the local crossings and is open 24 hours.
* There is a truck crossing near the Peace Arch border crossing because no commercial vehicles are allowed to cross at the Peace Arch. This crossing is also open 24 hours a day and cars are allowed; however, if the Peace Arch crossing is backed up, the truck crossing is almost always backed up as well.
* The border crossing at Aldergrove / Lynden is open 8am to midnight every day. It's 35miles/59km east of Vancouver. However, if you're traveling to the North Shore or to the east side of Vancouver, this crossing is definitely worth considering. The wait is usually less than 5 minutes.
* The border crossing at Abbotsford / Sumas is open 24 hours but is 43 miles or 72km east of Vancouver. This crossing is almost too far east to consider unless you know the Peace Arch is really busy or the Aldergrove exit is closed.
Do I need a passport?
Americans are required to carry a passport to travel between the US and Canada even if they are traveling by car or boat.
To get the latest information go to www.travel.state.gov
Click here to learn how to apply for a passport.
Click here to print copies of all necessary passport application forms.
How long is the wait at the border crossing?
Obviously, the wait crossing the border depends on day, time and unpredictables. However, in general if you travel before the summer, the wait should not be long, almost always less than 30 minutes and often less than 5 minutes. During peak summer times, like a Friday afternoon in July, especially during holiday weekends, waits can be several hours long.
What kind of documentation do I need to cross the border in 2010?
If you're an adult, you'll need a passport if you are traveling to Canada.
Parents traveling with their children should bring a birth certificate for each child. If a child enters the country with only one parent, she/he must have a letter from the other saying it's OK for the child to enter Canada.
To get all the information you need about visiting Canada, explore Canada's
Visitor Information Page.
For more information call Monday to Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. local time 1 888-242-2100. This number only works if you are calling from inside Canada. From outside Canada, see the Canadian Immigration Information on the Visa Information Page
Customs Contact Information
Canada Customs
28176th Street
Surrey, BC V4P 1M7
Telephone (604) 538-3600
For general customs information: Within Canada - 1-800-461-9999
Outside Canada - 1-204-983-3500
Fax (604) 538-0293
United States Customs
9901 Pacific Highway
Blaine, WA 98230
Telephone (360) 332-5771
Fax (360) 332-4701
Getting A Canadian or US Passport
You may want to visit the Vancouver Passport Office if you need a Canadian passport. Otherwise, consult the appropriate website for information about obtaining a Canadian or American passport.
Vancouver Passport Office
Sinclair Centre
757 West Hastings
7:30am - 4:30pm
Vancouver Immigration Local Office
1148 Hornby St.
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 2C3
Vancouver Citizenship Local Office
#877-200 Expo Blvd
Vancouver, BC
V6B 8P8
1-888-242-2100
Canadian Passport Information
Canadian Children need a passport if they are traveling outside Canada either with or without their parents. You can read more about that here.
US Passport Information is available at the Government Travel Information Center.
What questions will I be asked at the border?
You can be asked a number of questions when crossing the border, but don't worry, they're all easy to answer. Here is a sample:
1. What is the purpose of your trip?
2. Where are you going?
3. How long are you staying?
4. Are you bringing any gifts into Canada?
5. Are you bringing any alcohol or tobacco into Canada? If so, how much?
6. Are you carrying firearms, pepper spray, mace?
Answers
# You can figure out the answers to the first three questions.
# You may bring gifts to Canada but if a gift is worth more than $60 Canadian, it is subject to duty. All gifts of alcohol or tobacco are subject to duty.
# Each person 19 or older may bring 1.5 litres or 24 cans of beer or ale for personal consumption.
# Each person 19 or older may bring 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or 200 grams (7oz) of loose tobacco for personal use.
# Under most circumstances, it is illegal to bring firearms, pepper spray or mace into Canada. For more information about firearms in Canada, call Clive Law at the Department of Foreign Affairs at 613-992-0478.
May I bring my pet to Canada?
Dogs and cats are allowed to accompany their owners on trips to Canada providing they have current rabies certificates.