15 Very Important Facts to Always Remember When Crossing the Canadian-American Border
The United States and Canada have 119 legal border crossings between them. The combined total of trucks and cars that cross the border daily reaching nearly 170,000. Approximately 300,000 people cross the border per day. Given these figures, it is plain to see the significance of the Canadian-American border in terms of connectivity between the two North American powerhouses.
Crossing the border is, however, not a through-and-through operation. There are several things you need to keep in mind when moving from Canada to America and vice versa. Here are 15 things you should always remember when making the border transition.
Be Prepared for Any Question
Border security is tight, so do not be surprised if the border security officer asks several questions. There are almost no restrictions on what you may be asked. There are no set guidelines on what the officer may or may not ask, so keep an open mind and a cool head. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
The Issue of Firearms
The government of Canada has specific laws concerning firearms. These laws help keep both visitors and patrons safe from harm. You must, therefore, follow all the preset procedures if you want to cross the border with your firearm. Make sure you have the certificate of ownership and a valid license to prove your legality. Also, remember that certain firearms, including most handguns, are restricted from entering Canada.
Money Matters
If you are coming from the US to Canada, you are allowed up to $10,000 Canadian (approximately $7,562 US) without having to declare the amount. Any amount over the $10,000 threshold has to be reported to the border officer. Additionally, it would be wise to carry a bank receipt to verify the origin of your money. Keep in mind that on-duty officers retain the power to seize any money or goods as they see fit.
Documentation
If you are a citizen of the United States, then ensure you carry proof of your citizenship. A passport or a birth certificate should suffice. However, having a valid passport is the easiest and surest way of proving your citizenship.
Alcohol and Food
The possession of any alcohol or food products requires that you inform the border officer. However, it is worth noting that alcoholic beverages that do not exceed 0.5% by volume are not considered alcoholic. Uncooked poultry meat, unpacked fruit, and eggs are a few of the foods you can not carry across the border.
Criminal Records
If you have been convicted of a criminal offense in the past, then be aware that the border officer may restrict your entry. The severity of the crime and the time lapse since the offense occurred are the two main criteria used to determine entry or restricted access.
Keep the Joking Aside
You might be the star of your local pub’s stand-up show, but a border crossing is not the place to try and tickle the border officer’s funny bone. Remember to maintain a respectful tone and keep any complaints to yourself. You can vent all you want once you are on the other side.
Choose Your Crossing Point Wisely
You may not always have control of where you are crossing, but if you do, choose a less busy area. Border crossings have different policies in place, so go for a spot that will give you less of a hassle. The Border Crossing Database provides the most convenient border crossings.
Racial Profiling Is Real
Judging a book by its cover is never right, but you can bet on it happening at border crossings. Border officers will often use race or religion as a measure of how big a security threat you might be. Do not get agitated if you experience somewhat discriminatory behavior while crossing. Racial profiling is a habit that keeps happening, but the best thing to do is avoid any confrontation.
Only Give Information That Is Necessary
While trying to sound overly sincere, you might end up blurting out too much information that might incriminate you. Yes, it would help if you answered the border officer’s questions honestly but keep things straight to the point. There is no need to disclose intricate details about yourself.
Be Honest About Past Denied Entries
With today’s automation, border officers probably have all the information they need on who is coming and leaving. At times they might question you on whether or not you were denied entry on a previous occasion. If the answer is yes, then be candid about it. Lying about such an event will likely land you in the naughty list, and you will find yourself denied entry.
Keep Suspicious Behavior on the Minimum
If you have nothing to hide, then why would you sweat it, right? While crossing the border may be a bit nerve-wracking, do not start acting in a way you usually would not. Avoid fidgeting in your seat or messing around with your hair. The most straightforward piece of advice is to be yourself. Do not try to put up a façade of extra-nice behavior because that will only serve to arouse the suspicion of the border officers.
Keep the Stereo on Low Volume
Fine, you love your playlist of the 80s and 90s classics. That could be the only thing that keeps you calm in times such as border crossings. But try to keep the music low so that you will not have a hard time communicating with the border officer. Specific genres, such as hip-hop or heavy metal, could give off a sign of contempt for authority resulting in a few extra hours of interrogation.
Patience is Important
Border crossings are often quick processes that generally take less than an hour. However, in the one-off circumstance, you might find yourself stuck at the border for a few hours as border officers try to check that everything is in order. Demanding that the process be quickened will not do you any good. Be a good sport, and remember that patience is a virtue you need to exercise, especially at such a time.
Make Sure Your Pets Are Vaccinated
Pets often feel like members of the family. But just because your pet has been in the family for several years does not guarantee smooth crossing across the border. If you are traveling with your pet, have the necessary documentation. For dogs, in particular, you must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate from a licensed veterinarian.
Facts
There are 119 legal border crossings between the United States and Canada.
Nearly 170,000 trucks and cars cross the US – Canada border every day.
About 300,000 people make the journey across the US – Canada border daily.
Links
https://www.immigroup.com/news/border-crossing-dos-and-donts
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/the-canada-u-s-border-by-the-numbers-1.999207
https://www.northernontario.travel/sunset-country/canadian-border-crossing-information
https://www.macleans.ca/politics/washington/what-to-expect-when-you-cross-the-canada-u-s-border/