It might be nice for Rockfarmer and for Zim and I if you could share a link to a concise list of rules in one place.

Yes! Is there a for real list of do's and don'ts. I really want to get back up there and I'll be honest. I screwed up over 10 years ago and got a dui. I haven't had anything since. I have heard from people here, up there, guides, attorneys, Canadian and US websites and there is nothing definitive, in stone. It all seems like misinformation and it would really stink on ice to drive up just to be turned away.

If it’s been over 20 years and you don’t fin about it if asked there is almost 0 % chance you will be turned back Catch.

I am building a shop/living space at our camp in NW Ontario. Been back and forth several times this year with no problems. Except the duty/tax. Over 100% on some items. Not a good time to be bringing extra goods to Canada.

Careful on the electrical stuff you’re bringing across. A lot of people around here that are dual citizens learned that the expensive way. The copper and hardware was way cheaper in the US, but nothing passed inspection. Exact same product, no CSA or equivalent marks.

I have went to Canada 4 times in the last 9 months. No problems at all. You can bring a case of beer or jug for every person over 21. And one carton of cigarettes. I always pick up cigarettes at the duty free shop. I don't smoke but there good trading materials. I swear 70% of Canadians smoke. And the small gas station will take cigarettes in trade for fuel.

Thanks Trapset, it's been bout 12 years and I've been told I need to hire a attorney to work with Canada and get certain paperwork and then I've been told if it's over 10 years and a clean record since, I'm good to go. I'm not sure who I could call up there but I'd like to know, heck I'll even hug Boco if they let me back up.

The native smokes are even cheaper at about $5 a pack. I don’t even buy any in the US anymore, cheaper here plus I can get menthols again…lol.

Nothing from a lawyer can guarantee entry, but normally the little stuff shouldn’t be a problem…..even though a DUI is a federal offence depending on the circumstances.
Talk to Donald, they gave him diplomatic immunity so he could attend the G7…..lol

On behalf of anyone else on this forum who may be as dumb as me, I ask this question: What is an OWI ?

Eric, I think it's Operating while under the influence. Same as a dui and ovi.

I look every time I go into Manitoba what I can bring and how much of it. I look on line and ask the question what I need to do before I enter Canada what can I bring. What do I need to before I bring a firearm etc. No-one has gave me info being a rockfarmer. Everything you need to look up is on line.

I’ve been over the border twice since the opener, easier than it’s ever been.
The above is correct, however, in Minnesota for instance if you get a DWI/OWI you have a two year probation period after conviction. If you read the Canadian regs the 10 years starts after you’re clear of everything including any post transgression probations. It’s actually 12 years you have to wait.
If a person gets a DWI after 2018, it’s now a lifetime ban. Old case or newer case you can still go thru all the hoops and try to get a pardon allowing entry.
Lastly, the final decision is in the hands of the border guard who interviews you. I’ve fished two people in the last five years who were clueless and were allowed across and neither were anywhere near the 10 plus year term. I do know people seem to do much better coming into Canada using a current passport than any other form of ID.

Osky

Traveled to Niagara Falls with two grandkids in the backseat. The Canadian officer leaned into the car and asked the grandkids if we were their parents. Both kids said “NO”. We explained.

Rockfarmer, after 22 trips to Canada and viewing the government website each time, their web pages describing what you can bring to Canada are poorly designed. Each page contains links that make you think you will reach your list of answers, but it takes you to a next page that tells you what kinds of rules you should be aware of and provides links to get to each. Each next page refers to the same rules with links to another page. After reading this thread the other day, I did it again. I started on

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/bring-apporter-eng.html

and from there, I followed along and ended up with 11 pages open. I found different pieces of information on each page, but still needed to look in other places to find more. Again - all rules located on different web pages. After compiling it all, what we've read has never matched our experiences at the border crossing in International Falls. We'd hate to ignore what we've read, but it's been unreliable. Here are a few little examples of what I just found:















A lot of question marks there! I am coming to the conclusion that, instead of getting info there, we will ask anyone at our camp who has crossed at the same border crossing in the week or two preceding our trip and find out what questions they were asked. If we bring food or supplies that aren't allowed, we'll be prepared to have them confiscated.

We can tell you for sure that you are not allowed to bring live bait, and no frozen salted minnows. No Canadian nightcrawlers heading back home either!

Good luck, Rockfarmer! We hope your border crossing is quick and uneventful!

Thanks Patrice. Been going up there for 25 years myself. Seems like its something different every year - potato's, eggs, etc.
Spoke to the canadian border guard and he said there will be an additonal 25% tariff on any American beer, liquor, wine, etc. on top of the normal duty.
Other than that, nothing silly.
Hopefully it all goes smooth.
To be honest, the Canadians have always been pretty nice.
I have had more issues with the American guards who have a chip on their shoulder or are trying to be tough, or just jerks a lot of the time. Very rude. At a certain crossing.
Changed where we crossed a few years ago, and the Americans at that location have been great.

That's good to hear, Rockfarmer. Last year, we had eggs from our girls, some great steaks not in store packaging, garden potatoes and a huge batch of our teriyaki venison jerky and we left it all home because of restrictions we read. We got to the border and no questions were asked! We really missed that stuff. This year, we'll bring our eggs and jerky and hope for the best!

Safe travels when you go!
Patrice

We take eggs from our girls also - use the store cartons that are for brown eggs. We usually give a few dozen to the camp owner and she gives us fresh blueberries. Pretty darn good trade.

I got turned around one time because of eggs. Had to go back and dispose of them. It was because of an avian flue outbreak. I was told can't bring meat across that wasn't USDA inspected. Had deer sausage with at the time. The guy let me go but suggested might not be lucky next time. As far as I know, raw potatoes have always been a no no. My advice is to call the crossing where you plan to use.

Since 9 11 my experiences going south have been the worst.

Also strongly suggest doing a deep clean on the vehicle making sure not an odd piece of ammo inside. They don't like that if it's not declared

Loose ammo is a bad one. Buddy got his car stripped after they noticed a couple loose 22RF rounds.
A couple years ago, we’re ubering back to the airport in Las Vegas to head home, I found an empty 9mm round in my front pocket, probably from the MP5SD I was playing with at one of the shooting ranges. That coulda bee ugly….lol

Just got back, pulling a boat and hauling hounds and a minor grandson. Went great lengths to get all paperwork in order, consent forms, rabies vaccine papers, got the dogs micro chipped, dog import papers, rifle import forms, Bear import forms, etc. The only thing they checked going in was passport and gun paperwork, coming out , passport and bear import. The rest was all for not, this time.