Touring - Help: Confused about rules/Regulations about entering Canada by bike

What would I need to do if I wanted to enter Canada for a two week period by bicycle?

Is a driver's license good enough or would I need to get a birth certificate and/or passport?

All I find is conflicting information on this. Thanks.

easy answer: passport. a driver's license would probably work, but a passport pretty much ensures you won't have problems going over or coming back.

I am fairly certain that US citizens require only a piece of credible photo ID to cross into the Dominion of Canada. If you do not have a passport, a driver's license should do.

About 30 years ago, I used as ID, when crossing back to Canada after trip to the USA, a faded, creased, virtually indecipherable paper health card. (Health cards in those days did not have photos.) The card had been in my wallet next to some postage stamps for months, and the stamps were permanently glued to my health card! Not a lot of the card was visible.

Most likely, the customs agent recognized youthful folly, and let me pass. If I tried to use that card as ID today, I bet I would be arrested rather than welcomed!

Either a passport or a driver's license + birth certificate, I believe. At least that's what my friend used in march because he didn't have a passport.

I bike into Canada every year.
It has gotten tougher of late - despite a treaty still in force declaring no need for passports.
But now you must show "proof" of citizenship - basically a passport.
Are you an American citizen? Do you already have a passport?
If so, take it. Driver's license PLUS social security card will work
But they might invite you inside for verification - - - an hour later - - -
Also, color Xerox all you IDs and keep in a Ziploc bag in case they are lost/stolen.

Get the passport if at all possible. It's becoming harder and harder to go either way without out. I came back into Canada at Sarnia Ontario after a long tour. Be advised that the Blue Water bridge is closed to cyclists. The supervisor took pity on me that day and threw my bike and gear in the back of his truck and drove me to the border. Don't expect he would be doing that too often. Where in Canada are you planning to ride?

perhaps entering at Niagara Falls....

The question you really need to keep an eye on is what is required to get back in the States. It's the US that is piling on the requirements, for obvious reasons, and US citizens will be required to meet the higher entry hurdles with whatever piece of secure ID is eventually devised. I have never been asked for ID going into the states in 46 years, airports excluded, but I have only been once since 9/11, used to travel frequently to the states. As others have said, it's changing. The real tightening comes in '07.

As a Canadian, let me be the first to welcome your travel to our country!!

When you get to the border, make sure you have:

1) Passport and/or driver's licence (with picture ID) plus birth certificate ... preferably a passport.

2) Proof of purchase for your bicycle and any other expensive items you might have with you (such as ipods, digital cameras, etc.) .. .this is a new one that they've started asking for in the past year.

3) A destination ... most countries have started asking for this recently too. Be able to give the address to a friend's house, or the name of a particular hotel or something.


If you've got all that, you should be able to enter the country without too much difficulty. :)

Get the passport if at all possible. It's becoming harder and harder to go either way without out. I came back into Canada at Sarnia Ontario after a long tour. Be advised that the Blue Water bridge is closed to cyclists. The supervisor took pity on me that day and threw my bike and gear in the back of his truck and drove me to the border. Don't expect he would be doing that too often. Where in Canada are you planning to ride?
I hope you at least offered to buy him coffee or breakfast or lunch for his trouble! Supervisors like that are few and far between!

I hope you at least offered to buy him coffee or breakfast or lunch for his trouble! Supervisors like that are few and far between!
Indeed! Perhaps it was my piteous state ........ or the crying ........ in any case I was most appreciative. As an aside, he was also a very robust fellow, heaving my fully loaded steed into the back of the truck not only easily but carefully. Same thing happened on the Michigan ferry. I can barely lift my loaded bike over a curb! Gotta start working out eh?

I go to Canada about every other weekend and forgetting my passport would be reason enough for me to turn around and I am getting to know the border people on a first name basis. Going north isn't the issue, it's the return home.

You will have trouble if you bring a gun.

i toured southern Ontario in the summer of '74
In addition to all that stuff, I took my DRAFT CARD
they eyed me and my long hair and my scratchy bike and my 200 dollars and my intent to be in country for 2-3 weeks... and then let me pass
I don't even remember the cross back (came on Ferry from Manitoulin Island.... sheesh, that's a lovely place!) Must've been Port Clinton?

Generally, the Canadians are friendlier than the Yanks. ONce (1974), coming back in a car over New Hampshire or Vermont, they thought they smelt some dopers... (there were 3 of us long hairs). They took the car apart cause they thought they found a seed. Nothing... the contraband was concealed in a plastic baggie, buried between some record albums in a crate. We pulled over down the road and smoked a doob. Those were the days.

It used to be sufficient to carry just a drivers license, but now you better also carry a birth certificate or some proof of citizenship. As mentioned above, the problem is getting into the USA, not Canada. I don't know what is going to happen next year when passports or ID cards are going to be required. US citizens will get into Canada, then not be allowed to return home? Will we need to construct refugee camps for all the stranded Americans?

Three years ago I forgot my passport and got into USA with a drivers licence, but not without grief. The agent wanted a second piece of photo ID but rejected everything I showed him. Finally he grabbed my wallet out of my hand a went through the contents. He found an expired AARP membership card, said that is the only one that counts, and let me in. Go figure!

This was on a bicycle trip and we crossed by ferry from Wolfe Island (Kingston Ont) to Cape Vincent NY. Ferries are a great way to cross. We returned across the Thousand Islands bridge and they normally allow bikes on the sidewalk, but not this day because a code orange was declared. However the bridge authority carried us across in a truck and I understand they will always do that when the sidewalk is closed.

It used to be sufficient to carry just a drivers license, but now you better also carry a birth certificate or some proof of citizenship. As mentioned above, the problem is getting into the USA, not Canada. I don't know what is going to happen next year when passports or ID cards are going to be required. US citizens will get into Canada, then not be allowed to return home? Will we need to construct refugee camps for all the stranded Americans?

Three years ago I forgot my passport and got into USA with a drivers licence, but not without grief. The agent wanted a second piece of photo ID but rejected everything I showed him. Finally he grabbed my wallet out of my hand a went through the contents. He found an expired AARP membership card, said that is the only one that counts, and let me in. Go figure!

This was on a bicycle trip and we crossed by ferry from Wolfe Island (Kingston Ont) to Cape Vincent NY. Ferries are a great way to cross. We returned across the Thousand Islands bridge and they normally allow bikes on the sidewalk, but not this day because a code orange was declared. However the bridge authority carried us across in a truck and I understand they will always do that when the sidewalk is closed.
Actually, Ken, having dealt with Border control for years as a trucker, it sounds like he kinda bent the rules to help you out! He just couldn't tell you that!

perhaps entering at Niagara Falls....
Great country around there though too much traffic for my tastes. Get yourself a detailed county roads map. The little roads are mostly all paved and though a bit convoluted, a much better way to go. I see from your tag that you probably already own a GPS. I used mine constantly in southern Ontario and the detail was great. I have a Magellan Meridian and the Mapsend software for Canada.

The criterion has always been "proof of citizenship" it just hasn't been rigorously enforced. I can remember crossing into Montana in the 1980's, showing my driver's license and being lectured by the border officer that "This means you are allowed to drive, it doesn't tell me your citizenship".
She let me in anyway.

In the 90's crossing into Montana again, I offered my passport but they asked for my driver's license and went in and checked it on the computer - I guess they didn't have anything else to do.

Its getting tougher and tougher as opposed to Europe where the borders seem to be disappearing.

Take your passport. Always.

2) Proof of purchase for your bicycle....

I couldn't meet this requirement, for sure.

When you get to the border, make sure you have:
...
2) Proof of purchase for your bicycle and any other expensive items you might have with you (such as ipods, digital cameras, etc.) .. .this is a new one that they've started asking for in the past year.


Are they really going to require a proof of purchase for the vehicle you ride into/out of the country? I've never been asked for a proof of purchase for my car, and I've never had them run the plates to make sure it was mine and not stolen or anything. This seems strange to me. I've never crossed the border by bicycle though.

gpsblake:
I've crossed the border dozens of times (by car) and a driver's license + birth certificate worked every time. If you don't have a passport already, it's not necessary to get one.

Here is the current information:


Current Requirements for Entry Into Canada

Visas are not required for U.S. citizens entering Canada from the U.S. You will, however, need:

Proof of your U.S. citizenship such as your U.S. passport (For information on obtaining a U.S. passport, check with one of the regional passport agencies located throughout the U.S.) or certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the city, county or state in the U.S. where you were born. If you are a naturalized U.S. citizen and do not have a passport, you should travel with your naturalization certificate. A driver’s license, voter’s registration card or Social Security card is NOT valid proof of citizenship.
Photo identification, such as a current, valid driver’s license

You can get by without a passport for now if you don't have one. If you travel in the future you will need one.


The travel initiative requirements will be rolled out in phases. The proposed implementation timeline is as follows:

December 31, 2006 – Passport required for all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
December 31, 2007 – Passport required for all land border crossings, as well as air and sea travel.


http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1170.html

The travel initiative requirements will be rolled out in phases. The proposed implementation timeline is as follows:

December 31, 2006 – Passport required for all air and sea travel to or from Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda*
December 31, 2007 – Passport required for all land border crossings, as well as air and sea travel*


* Does not apply if you are a poor mexican willing to provide slave labor

When you get to the border, make sure you have:

2) Proof of purchase for your bicycle and any other expensive items you might have with you (such as ipods, digital cameras, etc.) .. .this is a new one that they've started asking for in the past year.


Whoa, how on earth does that work? I don't have receipts for any of that stuff just hanging around. Maybe somewhere in a file, but after 5 years, a lot of that has likely been tossed out. That doesn't even cover my wife's bike bought off ebay. I thought you just had to declare anything of value. I've not crossed the border yet, but intend to this summer on tour.

Whoa, how on earth does that work? I don't have receipts for any of that stuff just hanging around. Maybe somewhere in a file, but after 5 years, a lot of that has likely been tossed out. That doesn't even cover my wife's bike bought off ebay. I thought you just had to declare anything of value. I've not crossed the border yet, but intend to this summer on tour.



I couldn't meet this requirement, for sure.


Show them the paperwork for the insurance on your bicycle. I think that would qualify as proof that it was purchased in your country of origin.

Are they really going to require a proof of purchase for the vehicle you ride into/out of the country? I've never been asked for a proof of purchase for my car, and I've never had them run the plates to make sure it was mine and not stolen or anything. This seems strange to me. I've never crossed the border by bicycle though.

gpsblake:
I've crossed the border dozens of times (by car) and a driver's license + birth certificate worked every time. If you don't have a passport already, it's not necessary to get one.

I've been talking with the BC randonneurs who go back and forth into the US on many of their rides. Up till late last summer, they could ride back and forth with driver's license and birth certificate without too much difficulty, but late last summer they've started pushing for a passport and making it difficult for the riders if they didn't have one (as in getting them to sit in a room for an hour to "process" the other stuff). They've also started asking for proof of purchase/ownership for the bicycles, and for other things they carry.

I'd have to dig it up, but you can get a proof of ownership card or something like that here in Canada, or the insurance paperwork for your bicycle will also do.

When I came across the border from the US into Canada last July, I did so on the bus at a crossing near Vancouver. I had my bicycle in a box with me on the bus, and I was asked if that were my bicycle (I think the helmet I was holding might have been a give-away), and if I could prove that it was mine. I couldn't! But I told them that the bicycle is a Canadian bicycle (it is - it's a Marinoni) and that I purchased it in Canada, and they reluctantly let the matter go. But apparently they've become more insistant about appropriate paperwork since then.

Here's the information I was talking about regarding proof of purchase/ownership (quote from a person who checked into this):

What does Canada Customs have to say about returning to Canada with
goods that were supposedly purchased in Canada.

1) They have the right to require proof that you took the item with you upon
leaving Canada. Failure to provide proof can result in confiscation of the
item ( rarely done, but....)

2) They do not require proof of purchase or proof of ownership, they just
want to know that the object started it's domestic journey in Canada. Proof
of purchase from a Canadian source can usually satisfy their concern, but
they recognize that for many items such proof is old and not available.
SO......

The next time you plan to travel outside of Canada take you bike, cameras,
skis, etc. to a Canadian Customs Office and request Form # Y 38. The
officer will dutifully record the serial number of the item on the 'form'
and that's it. Carry the form ( it's a wallet sized card) with you when you
take the item out of the country and present it if asked about the origin of
the item on your return. They'll be happy as you did it their way.

If you have any questions call the Customs 1-800 #. A hint, go straight to
the live responder by pressing 'operator/0'.


Now, I don't know what the deal would be for a US citizen coming to Canada and then trying to return to the US, but I think it would be worth checking before you end up at the border trying to prove that your stuff was originally purchased in the US.



This website may be of some assistance ... it backs up the bit I just mentioned above:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4044/rc4044-e.html#P69_3330

Protecting your valuables
Before travelling outside of Canada with valuable items, you may wish to take advantage of a free identification service that is available at any of our CBSA offices. This service is available for items that have serial numbers or other unique markings. For items that do not have such markings, the CBSA can apply a sticker to them so they can be identified for customs purposes as goods legally in Canada.

When you show your valuables to the CBSA officer and state that you acquired them in Canada or lawfully imported them, the officer will list your valuables and their serial numbers on a wallet-sized card called a Form Y38, Identification of Articles for Temporary Exportation. If you are questioned about your goods when you return to Canada, simply show your card to the CBSA officer. This will help identify the valuables that were in your possession before leaving the country.

It also tells Canadians what they need in the way of identification to cross the border.

Here's the main page - it's the Canada Border Services Agency site:
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-e.html

I'm guessing that the US would have a similar site.

I am a Canadian living in the US in a border state. I go across regularly. Up to this point I have just had to show my Green card and my drivers license for reentry into the US (the green card is used as proof of citizenship. I always had a birth certificate with a raised seal (that is the key) for my children, now they have their drivers licenses and it seems if I prove who I am they never ask them.

When I went up at Easter however I was asked to prove citizenship going INTO Canada. I didn't have my birth certificate or passport with me but they too accepted the green card.

Machka is right re reporting items of value at the repective customs office before leaving the country. I went to college here (the US) and would constantly transport items back and forth. I just had them fill the card out before leaving the country and I was more than free to bring it back in. (fill it out on the US side before going into Canada if valuables originated in the US)

Contact your senators if you don't want the more stringent rules of a passport required - all the Northern tier senators are trying to settle on a more reasonable solution.

I always laugh thinking about Joe Farmer transporting his tractor and cultivator to his Canadian field and being interrogated for 2 hours because he forgot his passport that morning and it is a trip he makes every other day all summer. Or my friend who runs cattle right against the border and if they break through the fence he can't go get them right away - must run home and get the passport. OOPs what about MAD COW disease ? ? ? - those naughty cows wandering off like that!

And on another sort of related note - when I took the trolley from San Diego to Tiajuana and walked in - there wasn't a customs agent anywhere. But I totally got searched and had book matches confiscated when I flew into Cancun - I guess Cancun has a lot more questionable characters entering than Tiajuana!

To make a long note longer be careful of any produce you take across either direction - it will most likely be confiscated if the country of origin label is removed. We had a cut up apple and couldn't take it.

I have gotten to the point I don't like crossing the border either direction anymore

I've been talking with the BC randonneurs who go back and forth into the US on many of their rides. Up till late last summer, they could ride back and forth with driver's license and birth certificate without too much difficulty, but late last summer they've started pushing for a passport and making it difficult for the riders if they didn't have one (as in getting them to sit in a room for an hour to "process" the other stuff). They've also started asking for proof of purchase/ownership for the bicycles, and for other things they carry.

Machka

who was asking for passports, US or Canada?

Its unfortunate that Customs is hassling people about bicycles and other gear - I suspect it is due to the high Canadian dollar, apparently cross border shopping is becoming popular again.

Were the randonneurs crossing the border being asked for proof of ownership for their bikes?

I doubt that American Customs is going to be that obsessed by cross border shopping. Everything is more expensive here, so why would Americans buy anything here?

If an American is coming from the US into Canada on holidays, I doubt that Customs would ask for proof of ownership of their bike and their iPod. On the other hand, you never know.

Has anybody else experienced this?