Crossing the Canadian Border in an RV
June 21, 2023 11:58 AM
If you plan, you can make crossing the border into Canada in your motorhome, travel trailer, or fifth wheel a breeze. Just be sure to bring what you need to make your crossing easy and efficient for both you and the border agents.
We can give you all the information you need, including RV Ownership papers, and awareness of which belongings and food are prohibited. Bringing your RV into Canada is easy when you have good information, documentation, and travel guidelines.
Documents for Crossing the Border
Documents required for crossing the border depend upon whether you are a US or Canadian citizen. If you are driving an RV across the Canadian border from the U.S., here’s what you’ll need.
- A driver's license (or another form of identification), a copy of your vehicle's registration, and proof of insurance. Also, bring the registration and insurance for all your vehicles, including all paperwork for a truck camper, a travel trailer, fifth wheel, or even a dingy.
- All health screening information, such as proof of vaccinations or any pertinent and required medical documentation, should also be provided. Although normally not required, COVID restrictions now require that if you are crossing the border from the U.S. into Canada, you do use the ArriveCan app to provide your proof of vaccination. There are continual updates on the CBSA website.
- Print out copies of your booking voucher, rental agreement, insurance certificate, and written permission to take the RV from Canada into the U.S., or from the U.S. into Canada.
- Any valid proof of citizenship in the U.S. should also be provided. The acceptable documents are:
- A US passport, passport card, or NEXUS card.
- A photo I.D.
- US Permanent Resident Card
- A certificate of Indian Status (if applicable)
- Original certificate of naturalization or citizenship
- Original birth certificate
- You might prepare a written itinerary as well. You will need to explain your travel plans, and that would make it easier. You’ll be asked why you are entering Canada, where you’re headed, and how long you’ll be staying.
- If you bring a pet, you’ll need to show a current and signed veterinary statement. To protect the people, plants, and animals in Canada from diseases, you must follow specific requirements that must be met an animal can enter the country. If your pet does not meet import requirements, your animal may not be allowed into Canada.
The required documentation to cross the border could change at any time. Visit the Canadian Border Services Agency for details on entering Canada from the U.S. by RV or U.S. Customs and Border Protection for the most up-to-date information for driving an RV from Canada into the U.S.
What You Can Bring?
There are many things you can bring across the border into Canada in your RV. They include:
- Clothing
- Camping equipment
- Sports equipment
- Cameras
- Personal electronics
- The RV itself, plus any tow vehicle
- Pet food
- Money (any amount over $10,000 must be reported to the CBSA)
- Alcohol
- Tobacco (50 cigars, 200 cigarettes or less, 7oz of manufactured tobacco, no more than 200 tobacco sticks)
- Prescription drugs (if you are prepared to show the border agents all packages of pills, liquids, inhalers, patches, or injectables in the original labeled packaging.
What You Can’t Bring
Start by knowing the list of items not allowed and removing them from you RV before you leave home. You don’t want problems crossing, or worse, have these items confiscated, clean out your RV. Here’s a short list:
- Firearms: Overall, you are allowed to bring up to three allowed guns across the border into Canada, if you pay a fee in Canadian dollars, declare your firearms, and provide all the required documents with truthful answers, and all licenses. The border officer must be satisfied that you have a valid reason to bring them, they must be stored for travel, you can’t have a criminal record, and you may never transport handguns or assault rifles into Canada.
- You may not bring plants into Canada.
- Food: This includes eggs, dairy products, or fresh fruits and vegetables. Plan on a trip to the grocery store after you cross the border.
- You may not bring non-pet animals across the border into Canada.
- You may not bring animal-related products across the border into Canada.
Expedition Motorhomes Helps You Prepare For Your Next RV Trip
Expand your horizons with Expedition Motorhomes. Take an RV rental into Canada with California’s RV rental and sales experts. We are here to help you enjoy and prepare for the road ahead. We’ll provide you with everything you need to know. Contact Expedition Motorhomes when you plan your next trip.
