Canada is so close, sometimes folks forget it's another
country with it's own set of rules and regulations. Take a moment and read
through this page before you leave for your visit to Canada. Contact
Canada Customs, (800) 461-9999, or Eagle Lake Sportsmen's
Lodge, if you need more information.
Crossing into
Canada with firearms? You'll need to check out the Firearms
Declarations Forms at the Canada
Firearms Centre. From the home page, click on "Fact Sheets",
then under "General Audiences" select "Firearms Users Visiting
Canada" to find out what to do with your
firearms. One can also call them at 1-800-731-4000.
Short on time? One can
use
this link as well to get there a bit quicker. If you plan on hunting
in Canada over a period of consecutive years, consider getting a PAL (Possession
and Acquisition License - Option 2) to save money. Make sure that you
apply well ahead of time before heading to Canada for your trip as there are
several steps involved.
Beginning
in 2008, the rules for re-entry into the United States will be changing.
Please read the paragraphs below carefully, and visit
the US State
Department website for information well in advance of your planned vacation
for the latest information. You may also want to visit this site for
easy-to-understand information about traveling to and from Ontario, Canada - Infonorth.net.
ENTERING CANADA
Citizens or legal, permanent residents of the United States
do not require passports or visas and can usually cross the U.S.-Canada border
without difficulty or delay. To assist officers in expediting the process,
especially to reenter the United States native-born citizens should carry a
birth, baptismal, or voter’s certificate. Proof of residence may also be
required. Naturalized U.S. citizens should carry a naturalization certificate
or other evidence of citizenship. Legal, permanent residents of the United
States who are not U.S. citizens are advised to carry their Alien Reg. Receipt
Card (U.S. Form 1-151 or Form 1-551). Persons under 18 years of age who are
not accompanied by an adult should bring a letter from a parent or guardian
giving them permission to enter Canada.
ENTRY BY PRIVATE
VEHICLE
The entry of vehicles and vacation trailers into Canada for
touring purposes is generally a quick and routine matter. Customs permits, if
required, are issued at the time of entry. Rental vehicles or trailers are
also admissible, however the vehicle registration forms should be carried
together with a copy of the rental agency forms. Visitors entering Canada with
vehicles not registered to themselves should carry a letter from the owner
indicating authorized use of the vehicle. Note: Guidelines for entry by
private aircraft or boats are also available from Tourism Canada.
PERSONAL BAGGAGE
Visitors may bring personal baggage into Canada duty-and
tax-free, provided all such items are declared to Canadian Customs on arrival
and are not subject to restriction. Personal baggage may include such items as
fishing tackle, boats, motors, snowmobiles, camping, golf, tennis and scuba
diving gear, radios, television sets, cameras and other similar items to be
used in Canada during the visit. Alcoholic beverages may be brought into
Canada duty-free if visitors meet the minimum age requirement of the province
or territory of entry (19 years in British Columbia, New Brunswick,
Newfoundland, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Yukon and
Saskatchewan; 18 years in Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec). The amount cannot
exceed 1.1 liters (40 ounces) of liquors or wine, or 24 x 355 ml (12 ounce)
cans or bottles of beer, ale or their equivalent. Additional quantities of
alcoholic beverages, up to a maximum of nine liters (two gallons) may be
imported into Canada, except Northwest Territories), upon payment of duty and
taxes plus provincial fees at the port of entry. Persons 18 years of age in
most jurisdictions, but 19 years in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia,
Ontario and British Columbia, may import 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, and 2 lbs.
of manufactured tobacco duty free. Federal duty and taxes apply to additional
quantities. Subject to some restrictions, visitor may bring food with them for
their own use, without Customs assessment, provided the quantity is consistent
with the duration and nature of the visitor’s stay. Gasoline and oil brought
into Canada for consumption is dutiable. Reasonable quantities for tourist use
such as gas and oil used to the normal capacity of the vehicle are granted
free entry.
PLANTS AND
ANIMALS
All animals, plants, vegetables, fruit and meat (and any
product of these) must be declared to Canadian Customs upon entry to the
country and accompanied by import documentation when required and must pass
inspection.
PETS
Domestic dogs and cats may be brought into Canada provided
each animal is accompanied by a licensed veterinarian certificate identifying
the animal and certifying the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies
during the preceding 36 month period. Up to two puppies or kittens under three
months of age and dogs for the visually impaired may enter with their owners
without certification. Further information is available on other animals.
FIREARMS
Handguns are not allowed entry into Canada. Firearms
are divided into the following three categories: · Prohibited firearms are
those that are capable of firing bullets in rapid succession during one
pressure of the trigger and any that have been adapted from a fife or shotgun
so that its barrel measures less than 18 inches or is less then 26 inches
overall in length. Restricted firearms include any designed or intended to be
fired by one hand, any with a barrel less than 18.5 inches capable of firing
center-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner and any that can be fired
when reduced to a length less then 26 inches by folding or telescoping.
Tourists cannot import restricted weapons. Long guns (regular rifles and
shotguns) may be imported without permit by visitors over 16 years old. All
visitors must declare all firearms to Canadian Customs. Most provinces and
territories have regulations concerning the transportation of firearms.
Visitors should check with the province they will be traveling in or
through. Please read this area as well. For
more information on firearms in Canada, please follow this link to the Canada
Firearms Centre.
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FIREARMS IN
NATIONAL PARKS
Hunting is prohibited in Canada’s national parks. Firearms
cannot be carried in national parks unless unloaded and carried in a
dismantled condition by separating the barrel and stock or are in a closed
case, tied securely with no parts exposed.
AMMUNITION
200 rounds of ammunition for hunting purposes can be
imported duty free.
FISHING AND
HUNTING
Hunting is governed by federal, provincial, and territorial
laws. Non-residents are required to obtain a hunting license from each
province or territory in which they plan to hunt. When hunting migratory game
birds, a federal migratory game bird hunting permit is also required. This
permit is available at most Canadian post offices. In many of Canada’s
provincial parks, reserves, and adjacent areas, the entry of any type of
weapon is forbidden. Further regulations can be obtained from each province.
In the Northwest Territories, export permits are required to take out all
unprocessed wildlife. Fishing is also governed by federal, provincial and
territorial laws. Anglers must possess non-resident licenses for the provinces
or territories in which they plan to fish. British Columbia also requires
tidal waters sport fishing licenses. Special fishing permits are required to
fish in all national parks. These permits can be obtained at any national park
for a nominal fee and are valid in all national parks across Canada. No permit
is required to import fishing tackle for personal use. Foreign fishing guides
are not permitted to work in Canada without an employment authorization card.
RADAR DETECTION
DEVICES
The possession and use of radar detection services are
illegal in Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Newfoundland, Ontario, Prince
Edward Island, Quebec, and Yukon. It is suggested these units be rendered
inoperative and placed inside luggage when visitors are traveling through
Canada. In Quebec and Ontario, it is illegal to possess these types of
devices.
RETURNING TO THE
STATES
It is the responsibility of travelers to satisfy U.S.
customs authorities of their rights to reenter the United States, through some
form of identification. Reentry can be simplified if travelers keep a list of
all purchases, have sales receipts and invoices handy, and pack purchases
separately for inspection.
Legislation passed in 2004 (The US
Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004) requires that
beginning January 8th, 2007 air travelers are required to show a passport to
re-enter the United States. Travelers to Canada by car ARE NOT
required to show a passport to re-enter the United States so far in
2008.
Please read this page for more information.
- CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card
(available in spring 2008), or
WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a
driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth
certificate.
- LATER:
As early as June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full
requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules
require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports
of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant
document. WHTI = Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
For the latest information, please visit
the US State Department website here. For those of you who visit us from
the US every year, we would strongly recommend getting a passport or passport
card.
POSTAL SERVICE
Canadian postal stamps may be used on all mail posted in
Canada. Postage stamps can be purchased at post offices and automatic vending
machines.
MAPS AND CHARTS
Provincial and territorial highway maps may be obtained from
tourist information offices. Also see our "Links"
page for a link to the "...Atlas of Canada" website. Maps and charts
are also available from:
CANADA MAP OFFICE
Natural Resources Canada
615 Booth Street
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1A 0E9
Phone: (613) 952-7000
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