Entry Information: To avoid lengthy delays and minimize the formality of the USA border crossing consider the following.
Identification:
•Canadian Citizens - Carry a birth certificate, Canadian Citizenship card or baptismal certificate as proof of your Canadian citizenship. A driver’s license should also be carried as proof of residence. Passports or Visas are not required to enter the USA.
•Citizens of other countries - You must have a valid passport and may require other documents such as a Visa or Alien card. Consider consulting the nearest American Embassy or Consulate for further information.
•Children under 18 years of age, unaccompanied by their parents, should have a letter of authorization from their parent or guardian granting them permission to travel in the USA as well as proper identification.
•Visitors may be denied entry for past records of felony offenses or if they have a criminal record.
Customs Information:
Declarations
•Personal: All items purchased, acquired or received abroad must be declared. Visitors personal effects and wearing apparel are admitted free of duty. For further information on personal exemptions, importing and exporting, publications and forms visit their website at www.customs.ustreas.gov
• Pets: Cats and dogs may be examined at the border and must be free of evidence of diseases communicable to man. They must have received a rabies shot within the last 30 days and have a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian that gives the date of the vaccination and a detailed description of the animal. Horses need a permit and health certificate from the Dept. of Livestock (1-406-444-2976).
•Fruits, Vegetables, Meats: Fresh Canadian and US fruit and vegetables can be taken across the border if they are clearly marked as to their country of origin and are currently in season. Potatoes from Newfoundland and Vancouver Island are prohibited. Certification is required in some cases. For further information visit their website at www.aphis.usda.gov or phone 1-360-332-8891.
•Plant Material: All tropical plants are prohibited. Seeds and nuts for eating are allowed but seeds for planting require certification. For additional information phone 1-360-332-8891 or visit their website at www.aphis.usda.gov
•Weapons: All weapons are restricted unless you have proof that you are going on a controlled hunt travelling with a qualified guide. If the weapon is accepted into the country it must be sealed and the ammunition stored in another location.
Laws and Regulations:
•International driver’s licenses and licenses from Canada and other countries are valid in the USA.
•Vehicle insurance is compulsory. Evidence of financial responsibility must be provided by visiting motorists if they are involved in an accident. Contact the nearest Highway Patrol or State Police Office and your insurance carrier if you should be involved in an accident.
•It is a criminal offense in the USA to operate or be in control of a vehicle with a blood alcohol content more than .08.
•Motorcycle helmets are required as follows: Washington - for driver and passenger. Idaho and Montana - for persons under 18 years of age. Alaska - For drivers under 19 and passenger.
•Seatbelts are required as follows: Washington - for driver and all passengers. Child restraints are mandatory for children under 3 years of age. Idaho - for driver and front seat passengers. Child restraints are mandatory for children under 4 years of age. Montana - For driver and all passengers. Child restraints are mandatory for children under 4 years of age or under 40 pounds. Alaska - For driver and all passengers. Child restraints are mandatory for children under 7 years of age.
•Posted speed limits are enforced by radar. Radar detectors are permitted in all of these states.
•Fishing and hunting licenses are required in each state. They can usually be purchased at sporting goods stores or any store with a sporting goods department. Booklets containing local regulations are also available at these stores.
Emergency Information:
•9-1-1: You can contact police, ambulance service, fire department and other emergency personnel by calling 9-1-1 where available. Check the front of local phone directories for phone numbers of the local police, fire departments and ambulance service.
There is no Tourist Alert program available in these states except in the State Parks. Contact the Highway Patrol or local Sheriff’s Office for help in contacting family in emergency situations.
Conversion to Standard Measure:
The standard system of measurement is used throughout the USA. Temperatures, rainfall, snowfall, windspeed, distance and weights are expressed in these standard units.
•Temperature is measured in Fahrenheit. Fahrenheit to Celsius : °C = (5/9 x °F)-18 (32 °F=0°C, 50°F =10°C, 68°F=20°C.)
•Distance is measured in miles. 1 mile = 8/5 km (miles divided by .62 = approx. km.)
•Velocity is measured in miles/hour. 55 mph divided by .62 = 89 km/hr..
•Weight is measured in pounds (lb.) 1 lb. = .45 kg approx..
•Liquid measure is in gallons. 1 US gallon = 3.8 litres.
•Rainfall and snowfall are measured in inches. 1 inch = 2.5 cm.
Weather:
Weather forecasts and road conditions can be obtained by contacting the local TV and radio stations. For information exclusive to Montana contact 1-800-847-4868.
Taxes:
•State Taxes: These vary from state to state as follows: Washington - 6.5% tax with cities and counties each permitted to add increments of 0.5%. Certain areas may also impose increments of. 0.1% up to 0.6%. Idaho - 5% sales tax. Montana - no statewide sales tax. Designated resort communities may enact a resort tax of up to 3% for goods and services. Alaska - no statewide sales tax but cities and boroughs may levy a sales tax up to 6% plus special taxes on goods and services.
•Travel and Convention Tax on Lodging: Washington - Cities and counties may levy up to 2% except Seattle where the tax is 7% within the city limits and 2.8% in King County outside Seattle. Idaho - 2% with local options to levy up to an additional 5%. Montana - 4% statewide lodging tax. Alaska - no tax on lodgings.
•American Currency Exchange/ Banking: The American monetary system is based on dollars and cents. To receive the current rate of exchange visitors are encouraged to exchange their funds to American dollars at a local bank.
•Banking hours vary throughout the states but generally the banks are open 10:00am to 4:00pm Monday to.Friday.
•ATMs (Automated Teller Machines ) are located in most banks and many retail outlets.
•Credit Cards: Most businesses accept MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Traveller’s Cheques.
•Tipping: Tips for good service are usually given to food and beverage servers in bars and restaurants, tour guides, taxi drivers and bell hops. In the USA the average tip is 15% although this may vary from 10% to 20% depending on the quality of service.
•Telephones: Public telephones are located in all larger centers. Local calls cost $.25 to $.35 depending upon the state. Credit cards and phone cards are accepted at some public telephones. To place an international call you will need to have coins available and the operator will tell you the cost of your call.
•Tourist Information Centers / Chambers of Commerce: There are Tourist Info Centers located near most border crossings. In most major cities you will find either a Tourist Info Centre or a Chamber of Commerce. Hours and days of operation vary greatly although most are open from 9:00 am to 5:00pm on weekdays.
For Further Tourism Information:
Washington:
Travel Department Division,
Dept. of Commerce and Economic Dev’t.
General Administration Bldg,
Olympia, Washington 98504
Phone: 1-360-586-2088 or 1-360-586-2102.
Idaho:
Idaho Travel Council,
Box 83720,
Boise, Idaho 83720-0093,
Phone: 1-800-635-7820.
Montana:
Montana Travel Promotion Division,
Dept. of Commerce,
1424 9th Ave,
Helena, Montana 59620,
Phone: 1-406-444-2654 or 1-800-847-4868.
Alaska:
Alaska State Division of Tourism,
Dept. VP,
PO Box 110801,
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0801,
Phone: 1-907-465-4100.
Alaska Ferry Information,
Dept. of Transportation and Public Facilities,
Division of Marine Highways,
PO Box 25535,
Juneau, Alaska 99802-5535,
Phone: 1-800-642-0066 (US)
or 1-800-665-6414 (Canada).
Border Crossing Information:
www.customs.ustreas.gov.
or www.aphis.usda.gov
or phone 1-360-332-8891
Fishing and Hunting Regulations:
Washington:
Dept. of Fish and Wildlife,
600 Capitol Way N,
Olympia, Washington 98501
Phone: 1-306-902-2200.
Idaho:
Idaho Fish and Game Dept.,
Box 25, 600 S.Walnut St.,
Boise, Idaho 83707,
Phone: 1-208-334-3700
Montana:
Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Parks,
1420 E. 6th Ave.,
Helena, Montana 59620,
Phone: 1-406-444-2535.
or 1-406-444-1200.
Alaska:
Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game,
PO Box 25526,
Juneau, Alaska 99802-5526,
Phone: 1-907-465-4100.
Entry Information:
To minimize the formality of the Canadian border crossing and to avoid lengthy delays consider the following:
Identification:
• U.S. Citizens-Passports or Visas are not required to enter Canada. As proof of your U.S. citizenship a birth certificate, voter’s registration card or baptismal certificate should be carried. A driver’s license should also be carried as proof of residence.
• Children under 18 years of age, unaccompanied by an adult, should have a letter of authorization from their parent or guardian granting them permission to travel in Canada.
• Citizens of Other Countries-You must have a valid passport and may require other documents such as a Visa or an Alien card. Consider consulting the nearest Canadian Consulate or Embassy for further information.
• Visitors may be denied entry for past records of felony offenses. In Canada, DWI (Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol) is considered a felony.
Customs Information
Declarations
Personal: All items purchased, acquired or received abroad must be declared. Visitors personal effects and wearing apparel are admitted free of duty. Persons 19 and over may bring in up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 200g (8oz.) of tobacco, 1.14 litres of spirits or wine, or 8.5 litres (288oz.) of beer or ale for their personal use. These items cannot be intended for gifts to other persons or for sale. Federal taxes and duties will apply on additional goods brought into the country.
Pets: Dogs and cats can be brought into Canada with a certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian certifying that the pet has received a rabies shot within the preceeding 36 months. The certificate must state the date of vaccination and a description of the animal.
Fruits, Vegetables and Meats: For permits and information contact Canadian Food Inspection Agency 620 Royal Ave.,
New Westminster, B.C. V3L 5A8 1-604-666-7042.
Plant Material: Authority must be obtained in advance to import plant material from all countries. Contact 1-604-666-2891 for information.
Weapons: The following weapons are prohibited entry into Canada-revolvers, pistols, fully automatic firearms and other weapons and self-defense sprays. By declaring them at entry, visitors may bring in non-restructed firearms for hunting, for protection against wildlife in remote areas of Canada, or for use in approved competitions. Individual licenses are required for hunting and fishing. Call the Canadian Firearms Centre at 1-800-731-4000 for information on new firearms legislation or visit their website at http://canada.justice.gc.ca.
Laws and Regulations
International driver’s licenses and licenses from the USA and other countries are valid in Canada. Vehicle insurance is compulsory. Evidence of financial responsibility must be produced by visiting motorists if they are involved in an accident. The Canadian Non-Resident Inter-Provincial Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Cards are accepted anywhere in Canada as evidence of financial responsibility. USA motorists are advised to obtain this card, which is available only in the U.S. through USA insurance companies. Contact the nearest RCMP detachment and your vehicle insurer should you be involved in a motor vehicle accident in Western Canada.
It is a criminal offence in Canada, to operate or be in the control of a vehicle, whether in motion or not, with a blood alcohol content of more than .08. Police officers may request a breath sample as part of the Drinking and Driving Counter Attack programs.
Motorcycle and bicycle helmets are mandatory and must be worn by all persons riding these vehicles.
In Canada, seatbelts must be worn by drivers and passengers. Children under 5 years of age must be secured in safety seats, infant carriers, booster seats or a seatbelt assembly.
Posted speed limits are enforced by radar and photo radar.
Fishing and hunting licenses are required in each province and territory. They can usually be purchased at local hardware or sporting good stores.
New Recreational Boating guidelines are being phased-in over a 10 year period from April 1, 1999 to the year 2009. These restrictions cover age and horsepower, boat rentals and operator competency. For further information contact the Boating Safety Hotline at 1-800-267-6687.
Radar detectors. The use of radar detectors varies.
British Columbia – Permitted, Alberta – Permitted, Saskatchewan – Permitted, Manitoba – Not permitted; will be confiscated, Yukon – Prohibited, North West Territories – Prohibited.
Emergency Information
911: You can contact the fire department, police, ambulance service and other emergency personnel by call 911 where available. Phone numbers for local police, fire departments and ambulance services are found in the front of all local phone directories.
Tourist Alert: In co-operation with the RCMP and their Tourist Alert Program, the news media, Visitor Info Centres and tourist facilities communicate urgent messages to visitors. Please phone the number given if you should see your name under the Tourist Alert sign.
Metric Conversion
The metric system of measurement is used throughout Canada. Temperature, rainfall, snowfall, windspeed, distance and weights are expressed in metric units.
Temperature is measured in °Celsius.
Celsius to Fahrenheit: °F = (9/5 x °C) + 32
Distance in kilometres (km) - 1km = 5/8 mile
1 km x .62= approx. miles
Velocity in kilometres/hour (km/h) - 100km/h x .62 = 62m/h
Weight is measured in kilograms (kg) - 1kg = 2.2 pounds
Liquid measure is in litres (L) - 3.8L = 1 U.S. gallon
Rainfall in millimetres (mm) - 25mm = 1 inch -
Snowfall is measured in centimetres (cm) - 2.5cm = 1 inch
1cm=10mm
Weather
Weather forecasts, road conditions, U.V. and pollen reports can be obtained by calling 1-900-565-WEATHER. Calls cost $1.50/minute and callers must be 18 years of age or older.
Taxes
Goods and Services Tax (G.S.T.) This is a Canada wide 7% tax charged on most purchased goods and services. Rebates can be claimed by non-residents of Canada by providing all G.S.T. receipts to a participating duty-free shop when leaving Canada. Some restrictions apply. The necessary forms are available where you stay. For more information please contact:
Revenue Canada,
Customs, Excise and Taxation
Visitor Rebate Program,
Summerside Tax Centre,
Summerside, P.E.I., C1N 6C6
Phone: 1-902-432-5608
Toll Free in Canada: 1-800-668-4748.
Provincial Sales Tax. This tax is in addition to the G.S.T. and varies from province to province. There is no P.S.T. rebate.
British Columbia – 7%
Alberta – None
Saskatchewan – 7%
Manitoba – 7%
Yukon – no territorial sales tax
North West Territories – no territorial sales tax
Hotel and Motel room tax. This non-refundable tax also varies from province to province. British Columbia – 8% to 10% on lodgings, Alberta – 5%, Saskatchewan – none, Manitoba – none, Yukon – none, North West Territories – none.
Canadian Currency Exchange/Banking
The Canadian monetary system is based on dollars and cents. To receive the current rate of exchange visitors are encouraged to exchange their funds to Canadian dollars at a bank or foreign currency exchange outlet. Banking hours are generally 9:30am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday. ATM’s (Automated Teller Machines) are located in most banks and many retail outlets.
Credit Cards
Most business establishments accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Traveller’s Cheques.
Tipping
Tips for good service are usually given to food and beverage servers in bars and restaurants, tour guides, hotel bellhops, and taxi drivers. In Canada the average tip is 15% although this may vary from 10% to 20% depending on the quality of service.
Telephones
Public telephones are located in all major centres. Local calls cost 25¢. Credit cards and phone cards are accepted at some public telephones. To place an international call, you will need to have coins available and the operator will tell you the cost of your call.
Visitor Info Centres
There are Visitor Info Centres located throughout the province and territories. Those in major centres are usually open year round. Those in smaller centres are usually open only during the peak tourist season.
For Further Tourism Information
British Columbia
Tourism British Columbia
865 Hornby St. Suite 802, Vancouver, B.C., V6Z 2G5
Phone: 1-604-660-2861, 1-800-663-6000 fax: 1-604-660-3383
www.tbc.gov.bc.ca
Super Natural BC Information/Reservation Service
P.O. Box 9830, Stn. Prov. Gov., Victoria, B.C., V8W 9W5
Phone:1-800-663-6000
British Columbia Ferries Information Centre
Phone:1-604-277-0277
Saltwater/Tidal Fishing
Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans, 555 W. Hastings St.
Vancouver, B.C., V6B 5G3. Phone:1-604-666-2828
Alberta
Travel Alberta
10155 102nd St. 3rd Floor, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 4G8
Phone: 1-780-427-4321, 1-800-661-8888 (in North America)
Alberta Environmental Protection Fish and Wildlife Services
9920 108th St., Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 2M4
Phone: 1-780-944-0313
Saskatchewan
Tourism Saskatchewan
500-1900 Albert St., Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 4L9
Phone: 1-306-787-2300, 1-877-237-2273, operator 99AC
Fax: 1-303-787-5744
www.sasktourism.com email: travel.info@sasktourism.com
Manitoba
Travel Manitoba
Dept. RM9, 7th Floor, 155 Carlton St., Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 3H8
Phone: 1-204-945-3777, 1-800-665-0040, ext. RM9
Manitoba Travel Idea Centre
The Forks, 21 Forks Market Rd., Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 4T7
Phone: 1-204-945-3777, 1-800-665-0040, ext. RM9
www.travelmanitoba.com
North West Territories
NWT Arctic Tourism
Box 610, Yellowknife, NWT, X1A 2N5
Phone: 1-867-873-7200, 1-800-661-0788, fax: 1-867-873-4059
Nunavut Tourism
Box 1450, Iqaluit, NWT, X0A 0H0
Phone: 1-867-979-6551, 1-800-491-7910
Yukon Territory
Tourism Yukon
P.O. Box 2703, Whitehorse, YT, Y1A 2C6
Phone: 1-867-667-5340
Tourism Industry Assoc. of the Yukon
1109 First Avenue, Whitehorse, YT, Y1A 5G4
Border Crossing Information
Revenue Canada, Customs and Excise, Public Relations Branch
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0L5
Phone: 1-613-954-7125
Custom Border Services
North Portal, Saskatchewan, S0C 1W0
Phone: 1-306-927-2455, 1-800-461-9999
Fishing and Hunting Regulations
British Columbia
Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Fisheries and Wildlife Branch
780 Blanshard St., Victoria, B.C., V8V 1X4
Phone: 1-250-387-9717 (wildlife inquiries)
Phone: 1-250-356-7285 (freshwater fishing inquiries)
Saltwater/Tidal Fishing
Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans
555 W. Hastings St. , Vancouver, B.C., V6B 5G3
Phone: 1-604-666-2828
Alberta
Alberta Environmental Protection Fish and Wildlife Services
9920 108th St., Edmonton, Alberta, T5K 2M4
Phone: 1-780-944-0313
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management
3211 Albert St., Regina, SK, S4S 5W6
Phone: 1-306-787-2700
Manitoba
Manitoba Conservation Information Line (automated)
Phone: 1-800-214-6497
North West Territories
Field Services, Renewable Resources
Box 1320, Yellowknife, NWT, X1A 2L9
Phone: 1-867-873-7184
Yukon Territory
Yukon Government Fish and Wildlife Branch
P.O. Box 2703, Whitehorse, YT, Y1A 2C6
Phone: 1-867-667-5221
