Border Information

Visitors From Other Countries

Visitors from countries other than the United States require a valid passport and in some cases, a Visitor Visa. Visitor Visas are issued by Immigration Canada offices, embassies and consulates.

Learn more:
Canada Border Services: www.cbsa.gc.ca
US Customs and Border Protection: www.cbp.gov or www.getyouhome.gov
Border Crossing FAQs: www.canadawelcomesyou.com or www.travel.state.gov

What You Can and Can’t Bring to Canada

There are restrictions on what you can bring into Canada.

Alcohol: If you are 19 years of age or older and crossing into Ontario, Canada, you can bring, free of duty and taxes, 1.5 litres (50 ounces) of wine, 1.14 litres (40 ounces) of liquor, or 24 x 355 millilitres (12 ounces) of beer or ale. You can also purchase alcohol in Canada at the “The Beer Store” or the LCBO store.

Tobacco: If you are 19 years of age and older, and crossing the border in Ontario, you are allowed to bring, free of duty up to 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams (7 ounces) of manufactured tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks.

It’s important to know that if you bring more alcohol and tobacco product amounts listed here, you are required to pay duty on excess amounts.

Food: Restrictions change frequently. We recommend you purchase all your food in Canada. It will save you delays when crossing the border. There are a number of grocery stories in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and a Valu-Mart grocery store in Wawa, Ontario. Learn more at www.inspection.gc.ca

Pets: Dogs and cats accompanying their owners from the US must have current (within 36 months) rabies vaccination certificates.

Firearms: Handguns, fully automatic weapons, modified weapons, stun guns, mace and other weapons are not allowed in Canada. If you routinely carry a firearm, it is recommended you leave it at home, or leave it with Canada Customs when crossing. If you are exiting Canada at a different border crossing, Canada Customs will also transport your firearm to the other border crossing.

If you are bringing a firearm into Canada for hunting, or a sporting event, you must report your firearms to customs at the border, complete a non-resident firearms declaration form in triplicate and have it confirmed by a customs officer.

Bait: You cannot bring live minnows, smelts, leeches, or any other type of bait fish into Ontario from the United States. Night crawlers are allowed but must be packed in containers with artificial bedding. We recommended you purchase your live bait once you’re entered into Canada.

Criminal Records

Individuals with a felony or misdemeanor conviction may not be allowed to enter Canada. This includes DUIs. However, your admissibility depends on the nature of your offense, the number of offenses you have and how long ago it occurred. If this situation applies to you, or someone in your party, you need to contact Immigration Canada well in advance of your trip. You may have to complete some paperwork to determine whether you are admissible. Contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada regarding any forms you may be required to complete.
Learn more at www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/tourist.asp

Private Planes

If you wish to fly your own plane into Canada, you must make arrangements with Canada Customs. In our area, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario is the most convenient airport to clear customs and immigration. You can fly into the Sault Ste. Marie Airport, the Wawa Airport, or if you have an amphibious plane, you can fly right up to our resort.
Learn more: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/canpass/privateair-eng.html

Travel and Medical Insurance

It’s important to have travel insurance as it can save you considerable expense and stress during an emergency. Ask your insurance agent if your insurance covers during your vacation in Canada. Consider purchasing supplemental or other insurance if your own policy is not enough. You may wish to check with your health insurance company to ensure that your policy includes coverage for medical evacuations to the United States as well as escorts to the United States, hospitalization abroad, premature birth abroad, and other coverage for a beneficiary who is involved in an accident or illness outside the United States. Carry details of your insurance plan with you (and leave a copy with a relative or friend at home). This website provides insurance quotes from a number of travel and medical insurance providers: www.InsureMyTrip.com
*Please Note: The U.S. Social Security Medicare Program does not provide for payment of hospital or medical services outside the United States.

Currency

At Errington’s Wilderness Island Resort we accept VISA, Mastercard, Debit Cards, U.S. and Canadian cash, or Travelers Cheques. For deposits on reservations, we also accept personal or business cheques in Canadian or US funds. We offer fluctuating US exchange rate which is within 2% of our banks rate for buying US cash. For the last few years, our US exchange rate has been $1.00 US dollars equals from $1.15 to $1.25 Canadian. For Euro, 1.00 Euro is worth approximately $1.40 Canadian.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) Rebates

As a visitor to Canada you can claim a refund of 7% on every dollar spent while in the country on accommodation and most goods you take home. If crossing into the United States at Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario you can claim your 7% GST cash rebate at the Duty Free Store on the Canadian side of the International Bridge approach. Be sure to keep your receipts for instant GST rebates (minimum acceptable expenditures, excluding taxes, must cumulatively total a minimum of $200.00 with each individual acceptable receipt totaling at least $50.00). Collecting your GST rebates is quick and uncomplicated and we will thoroughly explain the process to you before you leave our resort.

Automobile Radar Detectors

It is illegal to take automobile radar detectors into the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba or into the Yukon and Northwest territories. The police will confiscate radar detectors, whether in use or not, and may impose fines up to $1000.

Returning to the US

Returning U.S. Citizens are eligible for $800.00 duty-free personal exemption every 31 days, having remained no less than 48 hours in Canada. Any dollar amount of an article or articles over $1000 is subject to variable duties.