2026 Algoma-Travel-Guide - Flipbook - Page 79
Know Before You Go
CROSSING THE
CANADA-U.S. BORDER
IMPORTANT NOTICE
FOR U.S. RESIDENTS
WHAT CAN & CAN’T
COME INTO CANADA
All U.S. citizens aged 16 and older,
entering Canada by air (including intransit passengers who are transferring
planes in the U.S.), land or water,
must present one of the following
documents: a passport or passport
card; an Enhanced Driver’s Licence;
or a Trusted Traveler Program Card
(SENTRI, NEXUS or FAST Card).
Travellers aged 15 and under require
a birth certificate for land or sea travel
and a passport for air travel. For current
requirements go to: ircc.canada.ca
If you or anyone in your party has a
felony or misdemeanour conviction,
you may not be allowed into Canada.
This includes such offences as a DUI.
Your admissibility to Canada depends
on the nature of the offence, how many
offences you have, as well as how
long ago it occurred. If this applies to
you or someone travelling with you, it
is imperative you contact Immigration
Canada well in advance of your arrival.
You will likely have to complete some
paperwork and Immigration Canada
authorities will then advise you of
the likelihood of being allowed into
Canada. The final determination of your
admissibility into Canada is only made
when you cross the border.
Residents of the United States who
visit Canada are allowed to bring in
a “reasonable” amount of personal
goods duty-free. The amount you
bring should align with your length of
stay. There are limits for some of the
regulated items: Alcohol, tobacco and
food products. What is and what is not
allowed changes frequently -- for up
to date info visit inspection.canada.
ca for current information prior to your
departure.
If you are travelling with your own
children under the age of 16 and your
spouse, bring their birth certificates.
If you are travelling with a child other
than your own or without your spouse,
have the child’s birth certificate along
with a letter of permission, including
name and contact info for that child’s
parents/guardians or your spouse. This
is needed in case Customs Officers
decide to verify you have permission
to bring the child into Canada. Visitors
from all other countries require a valid
passport and, in some cases, a visitor
visa. Starting March 15, 2016, visaexempt foreign nationals who fly to or
transit through Canada will need an
Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).
Exceptions include U.S. citizens and
travellers with a valid visa.
Contact Citizenship and Immigration
Canada at https://www.canada.
ca/en/immigration-refugeescitizenship/services/immigratecanada/inadmissibility/overcomecriminal-convictions.html or the
Canadian Consulate in New York,
NY www.international.gc.ca/
country-pays/us-eu/new_york.
aspx?lang=eng regarding any forms
you may be required to fill out. Call an
Immigration Officer at the Sault Ste.
Marie, Ontario Port of Entry to discuss
your situation at 1-800-461-9999 or
(204) 983-3500 (outside of Canada).
RESIDENTS RETURNING TO THE U.S.
If you’re a U.S. resident visiting Canada for less than 48 hours, you can bring back
$200 worth of goods duty-free. For stays longer than 48 hours, the duty-free limit
rises to $800, but this $800 limit can only be used once every 30 days. If you return
for another shopping trip in less than 30 days and have already purchased $800
worth of goods, your limit drops to $200. People who live in the same house can
combine their duty-free limits, but they must travel together. Refer to:
https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1402?language=en_US
PETS: Dogs and cats accompanying
their owners from the U.S. must have
current (within 36 months) rabies
vaccination certificates & appear
healthy. Owners from other countries
who wish to bring their pets with them
should contact 1-800-442-2342 /
(613) 225-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735
or visit inspection.canada.ca
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
CANADA BORDER
SERVICES AGENCY
www.cbsa.gc.ca
Within Canada: 1-800-461-9999
TY Within Canada: 1-866-335-3237
Outside of Canada: (204) 983-3500
U.S. CUSTOMS AND
BORDER PROTECTION
www.cbp.gov
Within the U.S.: 1-877-CBP-5511
TTY Within the U.S.: 1-866-6582
Outside of the U.S.: (202) 325-8000
Grand Portage, MN Port of Entry:
(218) 475-2244
A L G O M A C O U N T R Y. C O M
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