Questions and Answers:

1. What identification do I need to cross the border in 2009?
2. I have children in my group that are traveling without their parents or only one parent. What do I need to do?
3. I have a minor criminal offence on my record. What should I be concerned about?
4. What bait can I bring into Canada?
5. What do I need to bring my firearms into Canada?
6. How much liquor can I bring into Canada?
7. How much tobacco can I bring into Canada?
8. What is prohibited to bring into Canada?
9. What are Ontario's drinking and driving laws

What identification do I need to cross the border in 2009?
On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rule requires 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. CHILDREN: U.S. citizen children under the age of 16 will be able to present the original copy of their birth certificate, or other proof of citizenship such as a naturalization certificate or citizenship card.

Click here for more on these requirements.

Apply for a passport at www.travel.state.gov

I have children in my group that are traveling without their parents or only one parent. What do I need to do?
Besides identification for the child, they should have a written letter of consent to travel into Canada from the parent or legal guardian remaining at home. Divorced parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents. It is also advisable to supply a phone number so that those travel arrangements can be confirmed by the Customs agent if they chose to do so. Canada and U.S. Customs officers are members of or affiliated with Child Find Canada, Child Find America, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children

I have a minor criminal offense on my record. What should I be concerned about? For detailed information on admissibility please visit www.canadawelcomesyou.net

There are steps that must be taken a minimum of 6 weeks prior to your travel date. This includes any past conviction for DUI (driving under the influence). You may not be permitted access to Canada unless these steps have been fully complied with. For information on minor criminal offenses such as driving under the influence refer to: www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.asp

What bait can I bring into Canada?
You cannot bring live minnows or leeches. Live earthworms are permitted, but only when packed in artificial bedding (no earth or soil). Frozen or salted minnows are allowed.

What do I need to bring my firearms into Canada?
You must obtain a gun permit for your guns. Refer to www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca you may bring a hunting rifle or shotgun into Ontario for hunting or competition purposes when you are 18 years of age or older. Firearms must be registered for a fee of $25. This permit is valid for a period of 60 days. You can also bring up to 200 rounds of ammunition for hunting. Firearms Declaration Form: $25 CAN - Call (1-800-731-4000)

How much liquor can I bring into Canada?
You are allowed to bring in twenty four 12 oz. cans or bottles of beer or 40 oz. liquor or 1.5 liters of wine. You must be 19 years of age to import alcohol into Ontario. Duties and taxes are collected on any excess amount.

How much tobacco can I bring into Canada?
One carton of cigarettes (200 cigarettes) and 50 cigars and 200g of tobacco. Duties and taxes are collected on any excess amount.

What is prohibited to bring into Canada?
Some things you are not allowed to bring are potatoes, dog food, fire wood or radar detectors into Canada.

What are Ontario's drinking and driving laws?
The legal limit of alcohol in Ontario is .08 ml per 100 ml of blood. Driving while over .08 is a criminal offence. If over .08, you will be arrested, your license will be taken away and you will face serious fines and other penalties with will total $1000s. The courts in your own state will honor the charges. The same charge applies to being over .08 while driving a boat. You cannot have open alcohol in a car or boat at any time.