Anybody ever move through Canada?

[logdog]

I was hoping somebody could help me figure out how things work. My wife and I need to go back to her native northern Maine to pick up some furnature. We now live in Michigan and it would be about 860 miles to go through Canada all the way to Maine. It would be about 1150 miles to skirt around the south side of the lakes. We dont have alot of time to to do this so the mileage savings are pretty enticing. I have only ventured into Canada one time as just a visitor and it was much easier getting in that coming back.

What sort of hassles could I expect if I towed an empty trailer through Canada and a full trailer coming back? Would the borders make me unload everything so they could inspect? Would either country want to apply some sort of transportation tax? My worry is I would get to the border in Michigan and get such a hard time that the 3-4 hours time saving would be eaten up. I figured somebody here on TBN has to have done this. Thanks!

 

[varmint]

I wouldn't expect such a move to be hassle free. I have seen some sad things at the border crossings, like people having to unpack everything in their buses and RV's, and since 9-11, things have gotten much worse. Why ask for trouble?

 

[tmajor]

Hmmm.... Maybe, contact customs and see what they have to say. I was thinking, if customs "sealed the load" on entry to Canada, they could pass it right through on the other end. ??

Depending on the contents, maybe have a broker move it from point A to point B.

 

[slowzuki]

Its always a crap shoot, I have hauled an empty trailer into the US, picked up a load and travelled back to Canada at a different crossing. Had to fill out some forms declaring what it was and where it came from. BTW I have an import license already.

On the same note, I've been directed to secondary inspection which can be minutes or hours depending how busy. Friend of mine got directed to secondary US inspection on his honeymoon. Pulled all his wife's suitcases and underthings out in the garage area, spread all over the place. Didn't find anything and they were left to repack.

 

[logdog]

It seems like my fears have basis. It really is coming into the states I would be worried about. Every horror story I hear about border crossings come from Americans coming back into the States and getting hassled.

Maybe it would be worthwhile to travel on the north side of the lakes with the empty trailer and travel on the south with the full one.

 

[777777]

Have a quick look here .......https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/de...h canada/session/L3NpZC9zVm55VG9Jaw==/p/0/c/0

I may also help to stop at US Border Customs office on the way into Canada to see if they have any suggestions.

I have done transported goods from Canada thru the U.S and back into Canada numerous times. Stopped at Canadian Customs office on the way out of country, filled out a quick form,
showed on the U.S. side and again on Cdn side when came back thru.
Was pretty seamless.

Also as previously noted, need a passport to enter Canada and get back into the U.S.

 

[ronjhall]

You do not need a passport to enter Canada. But you will require a Passport or Enhanced Drivers Licensees to get back into the STATES.
Good info about calling US and Canadian Customs on what is required to haul you belongings home.

 

[Kyle241]

You will be fine entering Canada from Michigan, that will not be the issue. Your issue will be the furniture you are moving which sounds like you will come back into Canada from Maine, through Quebec, Ontario and then back into Michigan. Customs will want to know why you are moving furniture and where it's heading. I am sure the Canadian customs once they understand you are moving the items from Maine to Michigan will not care in the end but they will need to understand you're not moving into Canada. As for re-entering the US, I agree with others a call into the would help you be prepared for whatever if any paperwork is required, etc. I know my parents took furniture from their Canadian home to their Maine home without problems and when they sold their Maine house, they brought some of it back without issues either. Not sure whether they did any paperwork. I moved some furniture from my Maine house to Canada via PODS and all went fine until I went to pick it up and process it through customs, they had an issue and wanted to charge taxes as it was purchased in the US but the nice gentleman let it pass and stamp my papers in the end.

 

[QRTRHRS]

If you do cross the border, yes sir and no sir or yes maam and no maam go a long way along with being polite. That and do not offer anything other that what is asked.

Going on four years now since I last crossed with a commercial rig. Overall though, Canadian Customs were much more human than the Americans I dealt with coming back through. Bunch of little hitlers overall.

I mostly dead headed back so it was rather amusing when they x-rayed the empty trailer. Perhaps they wanted to periodically test their equipment?

 

[ronjhall]

If you do cross the border, yes sir and no sir or yes maam and no maam go a long way along with being polite. That and do not offer anything other that what is asked.

Going on four years now since I last crossed with a commercial rig. Overall though, Canadian Customs were much more human than the Americans I dealt with coming back through. Bunch of little hitlers overall.

I mostly dead headed back so it was rather amusing when they x-rayed the empty trailer. Perhaps they wanted to periodically test their equipment?

Good advice. Crossing at Port Huron/Sarnia will give you a good example of Little Hitlers. Even though it was closer and faster to cross there. Our company rules were to use Detriot for all our crossings.

 

[Rod in Forfar]

I'd advise against the route, not because of potential customs problems, but rather because you would have to drive through Toronto. This is the busiest highway anywhere, and hardly a fit place for a trailer full of furniture.

If you do go, don't use Highway 407 unless you want an ongoing series of bills and summonses from their toll collection agency. They take casual visits to their road very seriously.

 

[300UGUY]

I wouldn't do it. I used to go to Canada frequently, but the waiting time at the Windsor / Detroit crossing can be an hour or more. Canada is not the problem, the terror war is at the border.

 

[Egon]

Do a good check with the Powers That Be and get all the details before making a decision.

I have driven through a Large [for me] city towing a trailer of furniture with no problems. If'n I could do it so can you.:thumbsup:

Last time I crossed at the Detroit/Windsor border was in 67 when there were some riots. Border officials were very nice.

 

[slowzuki]

My experience with the 407 and out of province plates is that I never get a bill. We always drive on it. The 401 isn't bad at night, I was just though a week ago. Its only the hour in the middle during the day thats really bad. We've towed trailers though all the time without incident. Just don't try in the morning or evening!

I'd advise against the route, not because of potential customs problems, but rather because you would have to drive through Toronto. This is the busiest highway anywhere, and hardly a fit place for a trailer full of furniture.

If you do go, don't use Highway 407 unless you want an ongoing series of bills and summonses from their toll collection agency. They take casual visits to their road very seriously.

 

[blueriver]

A little of track ... In 1985 I was in International Falls, MN selling Real Estate at Auction for the FHA ... I know darn well on night we ended up in Fort Frances ... How I do that with out a passport? Or was it just that easy back then?

 

[tungularafishcamp]

The need for a passport to get back into the United States is just another spinoff of 911 that came about just a few years ago

 

[bcjmmac]

A little of track ... In 1985 I was in International Falls, MN selling Real Estate at Auction for the FHA ... I know darn well on night we ended up in Fort Frances ... How I do that with out a passport? Or was it just that easy back then?

US decided everyone entering needed a passport post 9/11.
Couple of considerations that might affect the decision
1. Gas prices. Gas in Ontario is currently about $1.20/liter or $4.80/U.S. gallon. Higher in Quebec. Canadain Dollar & US Dollar are about equal//fluctuates daily.
2. Changing money expense/Credit card charges - depending on how you exchange your money or what card you use, 2.5% isn't uncommon.
3. Not sure where you are in Michigan, but you can route north of Toronto from Sault St Marie & it is shorter than going via Toronto (Sault - Sudbury - North Bay -Ottawa - Montreal). Might be applicable.

In the past I have transported goods through the US (Maine/Vermont). I always stopped at the border with a list of goods and had the paper date stamped & signed by customs. Made reentry to Canada a breeze - hopefully as easy going the other way.

Good luck, enjoy the trip whichever route you use.

 

[blueriver]

Okay so at the time I may have been "legally Intoxicated" but was not an "illegally intoxicated immigrant" ... or something like that!!!!

 

[nybirdman]

**** it wasn't that long ago we used to run across the border by car or boat to get Chinese take-out or real Canadian beer.Things sure have changed since 911.I worked in Michigan(late 1970's) and would run the 401 from northern NY every two weeks;absolultely no problems at the borders..now I never go to Canada even tho I can see it from my front door.