2015 Ontario's Sunset Country Travel Guide 2015 | Page 6
Know Before You Go!
Information for U.S. & International Travellers
CROSSING THE CANADA-U.S. BORDER
The U.S. Government requires all of its citizens 16 years or older
returning to the USA from Canada to have a valid passport. This
includes travel by land, air or sea. While Americans technically do
not require a passport to enter Canada, American Law require you to
present a passport to U.S. Customs and Border Officers upon your
return to the United States. For more information visit
www.dhs.gov/crossing-us-borders
If you are traveling with your own children under the age of 16 and
you are accompanied by your spouse, ensure you bring their birth
certificates. If you are traveling with a child other than your own or
without your spouse, have the child's birth certificate as well as a
letter of permission, including name and contact information for that
child's parents or in the case of your own child, from the child's
parent not traveling with you. This is needed in case Customs
Officers decide to verify you have permission to bring the child into
Canada. Citizenship and Immigration Canada has useful information
about visiting our country at www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp
Important Notice for U.S. Residents: If you or anyone in your
party has a felony or misdemeanor conviction, you may not be
allowed into Canada. This includes offenses such as a DUI.
Your admissibility to Canada depends on the nature of the offense,
how many offenses you have, as well as how long ago it occurred. If
this applies to you or someone traveling with you, it is imperative
that you contact Canada Immigration well in advance of your
arrival. You will likely have to complete some paperwork and
Canadian Immigration authorities will then advise you of the
likelihood of being allowed into Canada. Final determination of your
admissibility into Canada is only made when you cross the border.
Contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada at
www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/index.asp or the Canadian
Consulate in Detroit, MI at www.detroit.gc.ca regarding any forms you
may be required to fill out. You may also want to call the Immigration
Officer at the Fort Frances, Ontario Port of Entry at (807) 274-3655 to
discuss your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions for Americans traveling outside of the
U.S. are available at these two websites:
www.canadawelcomesyou.net and www.travel.state.gov
U.S. RESIDENTS - GETTING YOUR
PASSPORT
Getting a Passport for the First Time: Go to the nearest
passport acceptance facilities located throughout the USA. Bring two
photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of
photo identification such as a driver's license. Acceptance facilities
include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some
public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There
are also 13 regional passport agencies, which serve customers who
are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for
travel. Appointments are required in such cases.
Renewing Your Passport: You can renew by mail if: Your most
recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged; you
received the passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16
when it was issued; you still have the same name, or can legally
document your name change. If your passport has been altered or
damaged, you must apply in person.
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Passports for Minor Children: There are special requirements
for children under 14 years old and between 14 and 17, see the
website below for more info on these requirements.
Main passport website:
http://www.travel.state.gov/content/passports/english.html
Download an application on-line:
travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html
WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT BRING INTO
CANADA
Residents of the United States who visit Canada are allowed to bring
in a “reasonable” amount of personal goods duty free. Below are the
limits you are allowed for some of the regulated items. See also
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5082-eng.html
Alcohol: If you meet the age requirements of the province or territory
where you enter Canada (19 years old in Ontario), you are allowed to
bring in, free of duty and taxes, either 1.5 litres of wine, or 1.14 litres (40
oz) of liquor, or 24 x 355 millilitres (12 oz) cans or bottles of beer or ale.
Additional amounts will be subjected to duty.
Tobacco: If you meet the age requirements of the province or
territory where you enter Canada (19 years old in Ontario), you are
allowed to bring the following amounts of tobacco without paying
duty: up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams (7 oz) of
manufactured tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks. Additional amounts
will be subjected to duty.
Food Products: Americans are allowed to bring in beef products
into Canada for personal consumption only - up to 5 kg (11 lbs) per
person. Be aware that you cannot bring certain foods or goods into
Canada from the United States or Overseas. The list of what is and
what is not allowed changes frequently so prior to leaving on your
trip visit http://www.inspection.gc.ca/food/information-forconsumers/travellers/what-can-i-bring-into-canada/eng/1389648337546/1389648516990
Customs Border Services has another informative website you can
visit prior to your arrival at www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/noncan-eng.html
Pets: Residents from the U.S. are allowed to bring their dog or cat to
Canada. Animals older than 3 months of age require a valid rabies
vaccination certificate issued within the previous 36 months. Animals
under 3 months of age do not require a certificate but must appear to
be in good health.
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