Any tips for a USA Driver crossing into Canada?

Depends where you cross. Most of your questions are, Yes.
HOS are different.
I would ask a co-worker.
Good luck.

 

if you cross into Quebec, it's all in French.

they think it's France. lol

 

Coffee Crisp bars are really good. Buy as many as possible.

"Prochaine sortie"="next exit"

Price posted on the cold cuts in the deli section are per 500 grams, which is roughly a pound. Don't buy more than you can eat before you cross back into the USA.

That's all I got. It's been years. (Last time I crossed, PARS was still a pilot program.) Good luck, you'll be fine, definitely talk to one of your co-workers for up to date info.

 

Quebec uses French, the rest is English

I never had one but I’m sure they do

I always have one as well, no hole punchers though

Yes, you can gross more but they are more firm on overweight

do not set parking brake at the drive through while going through either, shut the truck off and leave in gear or use trolly

 

Also if you use a gps will probably default over to syrup per moose measurements and not freedom eagles, though you should be able to change it back if it does

 

Not supposed to bring meat and produce across.

Check USA/Canada Customs sites for current info, you'll probably be redirected to the Agricultural Inspection Service sites.

You have to declare all food.

Some is allowed. Some is not.

Someone will probably swing by this thread and say they've been crossing into Canada for the last 50 years with nothing more than a library card and a bag of oranges and never got hassled.

Maybe they did. But the border isn't that "porous" anymore.

Just sayin', know the rules, and when in doubt, DECLARE!

 

HOS are different by being able to drive 2 hrs more and only 8 hrs Off Duty/Sleeper Berth. However technically if you're crossing back in 24 hrs I believe it's best to be off for 10 hrs reset. Or you will run out of hours when crossing back over.

Also, there are not as much Rest Areas in Canada along the Ontario's hwy# 401. They're called Onroutes with some upgrading becoming Service Centers with more parking spots however no showers. Truck stops are limited with spots but usual fill up later than the Usa truck stop.

 

Have someone show you how to check to make sure your paperwork is cleared before you get to the boarder. It will make your life significantly smother.

everywhere but QC is in English. In 10 years and probably 3-400 border crossings I have been searched 5 times. Two randoms and three when my paperwork was wrong and I had to go to secondary inspection. At the major crossings they can have several 100 trucks cross per day, they don’t have time to check everyone. Both randoms were at smaller less busy crossings.

I carry several knives in the truck, no issues. Remember they are tools, not weapons.

when you get to the boarder shut your truck off, don’t set the brakes. Answer their questions short and to the point. They want brief answers, not your life story.

Example questions: where do you live? Where/what are you delivering? Where did you pick up this load? How long will you be in Canada? Have you ever been arrested? Do you owe any child support? Any weapons in the truck?

As I’m going to the boarder I go over these in my head so the answers are fresh.

as far as food there are certain things like citrus fruits that you can not take across the boarder. Most of the people I run with all have sandwich meat and cheese, even fresh fruits and vegetables, uncooked beef, ect. Never been an issue.

if you have a dog in the truck there are some new requirements to cross the boarder with them.