Canada/USA Border Crossing Information & Travel Help

As of October 1, 2022 you no longer need to be vaccinated (or do ArriveCan) to cross the Border into Canada.

CROSSING THE BORDER

USA Residents entering Canada: A Passport expedites your entry, however is not legislated at this time. 2 pieces of Photo ID like a Driver's License plus Birth Certificate is acceptable. USA legislation: A passport is required to expedite entry or re-entry to the USA. Many States have "Enhanced Drivers Licenses" that are acceptable instead of a passport.

Citizens of other countries must have a valid passport and may require a visitor visa.

All CHILDREN must have a birth certificate with them or passports. If traveling "alone" with children: You must also have a letter from the "other parent" or "both other parents" that indicates they are aware of the trip & allows the minor dependent child/children to travel with you into Canada for those dates.

If you have a felony or Misdemeanor Conviction (e.g. DUI or DWI), you must contact one of the numbers well in advance to your arrival. Contact: Citizenship and Immigration, within Canada 1-888-242-2100 or Internationally 416-973-4444 or visit www.cic.gc.ca. You may prefer to call Fort Frances ON Immigration 807-274-3389 or Rainy River Immigration at 807-852-3968 (which is our closest border crossing).

NOTE: If you have had (one) felony or misdemeanor conviction (like a DUI or DWI) after DEC 2018, you cannot cross the Border for 10 years; if previous to DEC 2018 - you will probably be allowed to cross into Canada after 5 year time frame. Do not come to the Border expecting to be able to cross - phone ahead and give them specifics. You may also contact your lawyer in USA to have your charges removed.

There is a fee for Vehicle and Trailer for crossing into Canada from the USA at the Fort Frances Border Crossing. Rainy River ON/Baudette MN Border Crossing does not have a charge and generally has no long line-ups.

No Bait Importing: 

Importing bait - live, dead, salted etc. - is now prohibited.There are no exceptions to this rule and the ban includes night crawlers, worms, minnows, fish parts, frozen bait, and leeches.

Clean, Dry and Decontaminate Your Boat: 

When crossing the US/Canada border into Canada, your boat must be clean, dry and show no evidence of invasive species. This includes plant, fish or animal residues/parts. All drain plugs must be out including the one in your live well and any containers that hold water, such as coolers or bait buckets.

CELL PHONE USE REGULATION FOR ONTARIO

Drivers are prohibited from using hand held cell phones and other hand-held electronic devices or communication devices while driving. The use of Hands-free devices are permitted AND Emergency Calls, such as 911, will NOT be affected.

CANNABIS / MARIJUANA

Cannabis (marijuana) is now legal across Canada for both medicinal and recreational use. Each Province also has it's own set of regulations. Never bring cannabis with you when you enter into Canada or depart from Canada.

GOODS YOU MAY BRING INTO CANADA

A reasonable amount of personal effects, food supply, tank of gas, duty free. This does not include tobacco products, alcoholic beverages or advertising material.

• You may bring gifts up to $60 CDN across - Gifts more than $60 Canadian are subject to duty.
• At this time Only 2 dozen eggs, "limited (10) pounds" of each meat variety. may be brought from the US into Canada
• Up to 40 ozs of liquor or 1.5 litres of wine or 24 x 12 oz bottles of beer*
• Up to 1 carton of cigarettes and 50 cigars and 1 can of tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks*

* You must be at least 19 years of age to import these goods into Ontario.

* Any additional alcoholic beverages or tobacco products other than those listed above are subject to duty. Contact: Customs Border Services 1-800-461-9999 (within Canada) or (807) 274-3655 or www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca

GOODS NOT ALLOWED INTO CANADA

• NO BAIT - no minnows (not even frozen or dead), no leeches, no night crawlers/worms even in artificial bedding
• Most firearms and weapons (except for hunting where you can register your guns for use in Canada.
• No Handguns, Stun guns, mace or any other spray that can be used against humans.

PETS

Dogs and cats entering Canada from the U.S. will need a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued during the preceding 36 months. Visitors from countries other than the U.S. who wish to bring a pet into Canada should contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at (905) 612-6285.

Travelling with Dogs - New Requirements from the USA

Changes come into effect August 1st, 2024

Dogs entering or returning to the United States that have been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries in the past 6 months must meet the following requirements:

• completed CDC Dog Import Form
• must appear healthy upon arrival
• must be at least six months old at time of entry or return to the U.S.
• must have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner to identify them
• Canada is classified as a rabies-free country. To learn more, please visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/rabies-free-low-risk-countries.html

CDC Dog Import Form: https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/158751

RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES

• Citrus Fruit such as Oranges, cannot be brought from Canada to the USA, or through USA.

• Subject to change: Contact U.S. Customs Service at www.treasury.gov.

After 48 hours in Canada - $400 USD worth of merchandise duty free every 30 days. Families may combine their $400 exemptions.

Less than 48 hours, or if the $400 Allowance or part of it has been used within the previous 30 days - an exemption of $200 USD is allowed.

FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION

• You may bring hunting rifles or shotguns into Ontario for hunting or competition purposes if you are 18 years of age or older.
• Plus 200 rounds of ammunition for hunting or 1,500 rounds for use at a recognized shooting competition.
• Firearms must be registered for a fee of $25.00 CAD (for each person's firearms).
• Archery equipment may be brought across the border at no charge. You do not have to register them, however, you do have to mention that you are bringing them across.
• All fully automatic weapons and handguns are prohibited.
• Contact: 1-800-731-4000 or (705) 329-7662 or visit the Canadian Firearms Centre at www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/firearms
• The printable non-resident firearm declaration form is available at Declaration Form and Continuation Sheet - Here you can view it and print it off, and have it completed before you get to the border. (Don't sign it until you are at the Canadian border)

FISHING & HUNTING

• Non-resident fishing and hunting licenses may be obtained from us at Harris Hill Resort or purchased online.
• Non-residents under the age of 18 may fish without a license if accompanied by a licensed adult. Any fish caught will legally be part of the catch and possession limit of the licensed adult. NOTE: You may purchase a separate fishing license for your children.
• Residents of Canada do not require a fishing license if they are over 65 years old. • Residents of Canada under the age of 18 may fish without a license if accompanied by a licensed adult. They will have the same catch and possession limit of the accompanying adult.
• Please ensure that you follow all slot sizes and catch and posession limits allowed under the type of license you purchase and of the fishing Division/Zone you are in.
• To obtain a copy of the Fishing or Hunting Regulations prior to coming to Canada, contact the Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-800-667-1940 or (807) 274-5337 (Fort Frances). Ontario Hunting Regulations can be downloaded here Hunting (.pdf). Ontario Fishing regulations can be downloaded here Fishing (.pdf). Regulations will also be provided at the time of License purchase here. We are Zone 5 for fishing, WMU 10 for hunting.

OUTDOORS CARD & LICENSES

Since 2009 there is a Fishing Outdoors Card or a combination Hunting/Fishing Outdoors Card. You will receive a temporary Outdoors Card; a permanent one (the size of a credit card) will come in the mail. The Outdoors Card is good for 3 years. Fishing & Hunting licenses will be a paper license. Each separate License must be purchased yearly or every 3 years if that choice for fishing license is made. You will need to carry both the license and outdoors card with you.

BOATER'S LICENSE

If you are a Non-Canadian resident visiting for less than 45 days and operating your own boat you do not require a boaters license. If renting a boat, a non-resident can complete a form for a temporary Boating Operator License at the Resort. Boat Operators will have to sign and carry their copy with them on the boat. Canadian Residents will need to have a Boater's License to rent and operate a boat.