[SECC] Canadian Track Event - Convention

[sarahvair at juno.com]

CROSSING THE BORDER BETWEEN USA AND CANADA  
 
 
This year, the annual CORSA International Convention is truly international, with activities and attractions both in the US and in Canada.  These events include the NECC's Corvair Car Show in Oshawa, Ontario, on July 23 and the NECC's track day at Mosport in Bowmansville, Ontario.
 
Visiting Canada is easy, thanks to the healthy relationship between the US and Canada.  But it’s even easier if you are familiar with the requirements for crossing the border, and the purpose of this article is to help prepare you for entering Canada and returning to the United States.
 
Personal Identification & Papers.  To a great extent, crossing the border requires only photo identification and proof of citizenship.  A passport is not yet required (that will be phased in starting later this year) but a passport is both a photo ID and proof of citizenship and so having one will speed the process.
 
If you are a naturalized citizen and do not have a passport, you should travel with your naturalization certificate.  A driver's license or Social Security card is not valid proof of citizenship.  Alien permanent residents of the U.S. must present their Alien Registration Card, commonly called the "Green Card."  Other acceptable proof of US citizenship include an original or certified copy of your birth certificate.
 
Border officials are on the lookout for stolen cars, or people attempting to avoid paying duties on bought cars.  So you will want to be carrying documentation to show you are not perpetrating such scenarios.  If you are driving a private car that isn't registered in the name of someone going on the trip, bring written proof that you have the permission of the owner to take the car into the other country.
 
Driving a rental car across the US-Canadian border is usually not a problem, so long as you have made this arrangement with the car rental company.  Make sure you have a copy of the rental agreement with you, and that is states you have permission to take the vehicle across the border.
 
Due to international concern over child abduction, children traveling with one parent, grandparents or other guardians should carry proof of custody or letters from the non-accompanying parent(s) authorizing travel.  This is in addition to proof of the child's citizenship.  Any person under the age of 18 and traveling alone should carry a letter from his/her parent or guardian authorizing the trip.  Travelers without such documentation may experience delays.
 
What to Expect at the Border.  Crossing the border between Canada and the United States is really painless and should take fewer than five minutes of questions with the Customs officer on either side of the border.  Entering Canada, the customs officers will start with questions like:
 
What is your Citizenship?  How many are there in your party?  What is the citizenship of the others?  Where are you going?  Where do you live?  Where were you born?  What is the purpose of your trip?  How long are you going to be there?
 
Do you have any firearms? (Firearms are strictly controlled in Canada - better to leave them at home.)  Are you leaving anything behind while in Canada?  Or do you have anything to declare?  (Leaving gifts of a nominal value is OK however you must declare them and their value.)  Are you bringing more than $10,000 Canadian into Canada?  (It's not illegal to bring more than $10,000 they just want to register that you have so that money laundering does not take place.  The same question gets asked of Canadians going to the US for the same reason.)  Will you be selling anything while in Canada?  (Please do not sell anything in Canada, it will make your life very complicated, plan to do the selling while in Buffalo at the indoor or outdoor vendor area.)
 
Trailing Your Race Car or Show Car.  If you are towing a trailer you may be asked some questions about whose trailer it is and if the car on the trailer is registered to you.  You will be asked are you bringing the trailer and car back to the United States on your return.  If the car on the trailer is registered and insured bring that registration and insurance and have it in the tow vehicle so you can produce it out if needed.  Don’t forget to have the trailer registration, too.
 
If the car on the trailer is a race car without registration or insurance and you are going to Mosport, you will need a copy of a letter from the NECC that you get as part of your NECC registration.  This letter documents a bond set up by the Mosport track, and it will greatly speed the process for those crossing with unregistered cars for the track.  Because this letter represents a bond the only people who will receive a copy of it are those who are registered for the Mosport track event.  For this reason it is imperative that persons planning of driving in the Mosport event register with the NECC in advance.
 
Driving Your Street Car.  If you are coming to the Corvair show in Oshawa or to the track event at Mosport but driving your street licensed car or Corvair the bond letter is not required.  You can even drive to Mosport just to watch the NECC event without this letter.
 
It helps to remove sunglasses, turn off the radio and look directly at the officer and answer every question after they ask it. The Customs officer may speak to any or all of the passengers in the car to ascertain that what you are saying is correct.  If the officer does not ask every question above but says something like "Thank you, enjoy your trip" say thank you and be on your way!
 
Returning to the USA.  You will get the same treatment when returning to the United States.  The US Customs and Immigration Officer will likely ask:
 
What is your Citizenship?  Where do you live?  Where were you born?  How long were you outside the United States?  Where did you go?  Are you bringing back any alcohol or tobacco?  Are you bringing anything else back?  Do you have anything to declare?  Did you purchase anything while in Canada?  (You are allowed to bring back a certain dollar value of goods for each passenger in the car, but this varies with the time you have been away.  If you bring back more than the allowed value you may be charged a US customs duty.)
 
If you are towing a trailer you may again be asked some questions about whose it is and if the car on the trailer is registered to you.  If you are one parent or grandparents traveling with children then you may again be asked for proof that you have custody of the children or have authorization from the custody holder(s) to bring the children to the US even if they are US citizens.  You will be asked for proof of citizenship and photo ID for all passengers of legal age.
 
Inspections and Searches.  Canada Customs Agency and the US Customs and Immigration Service share information for security purposes in both countries.  On rare occasions the customs officers may want to do a physical inspection and in very rare instances a search.  Customs inspectors are well-trained to be courteous and efficient, but they do have the power to ruin a vacation.  If you come under strong scrutiny for any reason, answer questions directly and politely.  Wise-cracking and rudeness will only be to your own detriment.  Be helpful courteous and do everything they request and you will still find the border crossing to be relatively quick.  The biggest hassle is usually the length of the lines, so consider avoiding peak times such as the start and end of the working day.
 
There are many more detailed requirements concerning such things as pets, firearms, cigarettes and the like.  All of your questions can be answered by visiting the US Customs and Border Protection Agency web site, and the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency web site.  The latter includes information about the Tax Refund for visitors to Canada.
 
Canadian Highway Laws.  Driving in Canada is similar to driving in the US, but there are a few differences.  Distances and speeds are posted in metric units.  The maximum speed limit in Canada is 50 km/hr in cities, 80 km/hr on highways, and 100 km/hr on rural highways.  US driver's licenses are valid in Canada.  Proof of auto insurance is required, and your US auto insurance is accepted as long as you are a tourist in Canada.  Seat belt use is mandatory for all passengers.  Child car seats must be used for children under 40 pounds.
 
In Canada, many highways do not have merge lanes for entering traffic.  Drivers should be aware that the frequency with which motorists run red lights is a serious concern throughout Canada, and motorists are advised to hesitate before proceeding on green. Rapid lane-changes without signaling, and tailgating are common problems.  Emergency vehicles frequently enter the oncoming traffic lane to avoid congestion.  Travelers should be cautious of deer, elk and moose while driving at night in rural areas.
 
Driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offense.  Penalties are heavy, and any prior conviction (no matter how long ago or how minor the infraction) is cause for exclusion from Canada.  Radar detectors are illegal in Canada.  In some provinces, including Ontario, Québec and Manitoba, simple possession of this device is prohibited even if it is not in use.  Fines may run as high as 1000 and the device will be confiscated.
 
Canadian Medical Care.  As in the United States, all emergency assistance in Canada can be reached by dialing 911.
 
If you are entering Canada with prescription drugs and syringes used for medical reasons, be sure to keep the medication in its original and labeled container to avoid problems. Syringes should be accompanied by a medical certificate that shows they are for medical use and should be declared to Canadian Customs officials.  It may also be wise to carry with you an extra prescription from your doctor in the event your medication is lost or stolen in order to attest to your need for such prescription medications.
 
Good medical care is widely available.  The Canadian health care system is run on a provincial basis (e.g., the province of Ontario has its own hospital insurance plan; as does each of the other provinces and territories) and is funded by Canadian taxpayers.  Tourists and temporary visitors do not qualify for this health care plan and should have their own insurance to cover medical expenses.
 
CORSA’s Canadian members, many of whom are closely involved with the NECC event planning, will make you very welcome.
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