Crossing the border by car

[cleo656]

We've crossed the border by foot at Niagara Falls, by bus from Seattle to Vancouver-had to get luggage and go through a building; but have not crossed by car.

 

Driving to Quebec from Ohio and will be crossing I think at Cornwall, ON. Do you have to pull car over to a parking lot and get everything out of the car and go through a building? or do they come out the car and you open the trunk? Just trying to get some idea of what happens.

 

Thanks, Pat

[Katie Lou]

Usually, they ask you the questions from a booth while you are in your car (like a drive thru).

[g-didi]

At any crossing follow the signs to the border. Join a line up with a green arrow or an open sign (not NEXUS or such if you dont have that). Stop at the stop sign ahead of a booth if there is a car ahead of you. Once the car departs you drive forward to the booth. If the officer wants you to wait he will signal to you. A camera will flash as you drive up to a booth. At the booth provide your documents and answer questions. Sometimes officers will ask you to open the trunk for a cursory check or in a minivan they open the door. If they would like to check you more thoroughly they will hand you a piece of paper (or put it under the wiper) and direct you to a bay where you will be met by other officers. Just exit the car, leave everything in it and follow the instructions.

 

Also when you pull up to the booth I suggest you roll all the windows down so the officer can see in the car. If it is dark turn the light on. Turn the radio off. Have all your documents handy. Passport and usually something that shows what you are doing - like cruise documents.

 

Be prepared - know what can and cross the border. Especially food. Very strict about food! My strategy has usually been to just answer the questions asked. Dont volunteer any extra. Keep it truthful and simple.

 

And be prepared for a bridge toll too at Cornwall. And just double check there isnt anything going on in Cornwall before you leave. That border crossing has been known to have some problems in the past with disputes between the government and the Indian Band that lives there. (Not to scare you - I have crossed there before - just to let you know.)

[Langley Cruisers]

Our countries are "friendly" countries so it is usually as described above. You will not get out of your car unless instructed to do so. You will be asked where you live, where you are going, why you are going there. You may be asked what you are bringing into Canada - what will stay here, any gifts? The more thorough inspection will be when you are driving back to your home country - that is when they want to know what you have purchased, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.

[cleo656]

Thank you everyone :) It makes it so much easier when you know what to expect.

 

Also thanks g-didi about the info about Cornwall.

 

Pat

[Ephraim]

Generally they ask you questions, you answer, they decide if they want to see what's in your car. If they do, they will ask you to step away from the car while they inspect. Doesn't happen very often on the Canadian side. More often on the US side, but sometimes they just ask you to open your trunk at the booth and they inspect it from there.

 

Just answer truthfully and it should all go easy.

[gentlemancruiser]

Unless you have to cross at Cornwall don't, sometimes there are problems with that crossing. There is a crossing at Odgensburg NY which is not as busy.

[cleo656]

Unless you have to cross at Cornwall don't, sometimes there are problems with that crossing. There is a crossing at Odgensburg NY which is not as busy.

 

 

Thanks, think we will be crossing at Lansdowne then driving onto Cornwall for the night.

[gentlemancruiser]

Thanks, think we will be crossing at Lansdowne then driving onto Cornwall for the night.

 

It's a nice crossing and from there it's about 2 hrs to Cornwall. There are a couple of places to stay just off the HWY 401.

[Leafpeeper]

We've never had to get out of car at the Vermont, NH border crossing or at the NY crossing. They ask a few questions. You hand them your passport, and then on our way. They do randomly ask cars to pull over to inspect. Will have you open your trunk. I assume they have dogs for sniffing.