Mosport to do list

[dinoracer]

Ok, first time making the trip into Canada, what do I need ?

I've got my insurance card covering truck and trailer

Got extra empty gas cans

Got passport and list of stuff I'm bringing

What about my unregistered race car?? Do I need any specific documentation?

Anything else?

Thanks

[Don P]

Tom -

My experience (several trips up and back across two border crossings over the years) is this.

Everything on your list is good plus these comments.

On the gas issue each time going up I've brought full gas containers and they show above my truck bed and I have never had a problem. I'm going up again with full containers - if I have to pay a tax I will. I just don't think it's worth their time to ask (and then do something).

Regarding the car, twice I have had to produce documentation that: 1. proved that it is mine and I bought it legally in the U.S. - and the vin was checked against my bill of sale, and 2. conversly, that I could prove I didn't buy it in Canada and was taking it out of country without paying appropriate taxes and fees.

Hope this helps.

Don

N.B. also for first timers radar detectors will be confiscated - if you have one ditch it in the glove box just before you get to the CA border..........dp

[RUIM]

I too have crossed the US-Canada border many times with full cans of gas and have never been asked about the gas but have most times been asked to provide proof of ownership of my racecar. I always compile a detailed list of all the stuff I take with me including a colour photo of the car. Before I cross into the US, I stop at the Canada Custom office and have them stamp my list to acknowledge the items were inspected and originated from Canada. When I return back into Canada, I just show Canada Customs the list (if asked) and usually that suffices. The odd time they may want to poke inside the trailer just to do a quick check. One thing I've learned about speaking with Customs officers over the years is that you always answer their questions as concise as possible - keep it as short as possible. The worse thing you can do is blab away. It just makes you look suspicious.

[Subw00er]

Is the proof of car ownership a new thing they've initiated? I've been to Canada a few times and never brought my bill of sale with me! Are you guys just talking about towed vehicles?

I guess passports are required to get back in now for business folks, and people not on business.. I guess thats later this year? I went ahead and got my passport renewed just to be sure.

[Don P]

Proof of purchase/ownership applies only to non registered cars. Could be a street legal to dedicated track rat, always one being towed. Your license plate on the vehicle you're driving is checked automatically to match the other info they'll ask for (name, where do you live , etc)...

[dinoracer]

So it sounds like I should register the racecar this week, to minimize the fuss?

[brucesallen]

I also have never had a problem with 15 gallons of gas in 5 gal. jugs. You may be asked how much you have and how much booze you have. A six pack or two has not been a problem. Don't lie.

[Mick]

I guess passports are required to get back in now for business folks, and people not on business.. I guess thats later this year? I went ahead and got my passport renewed just to be sure.

How do they know if you're on business or not? I didn't have a chance to renew my passport. I hope they don't give me static.

[Don P]

Big thread here --

Passport requirements have nothing to do with whether one is on business or not. Passports are now the thing everywhere in the world - so Mick check with Canadian customs (all countries have a web site) - check out whether they will accept a birth certificate. This is an anecdotal view, but I believe one's U.S. drivers license may not be enough proof one is a U.S. citizen.

For Tom -- seems to me if you've got the docs to register your car those will be good enough, so save some money. Mostly they don't check, but if they do and you've got some doc that includes the vin you should be ok. Again if one isn't looking like they want to do harm your ok.

Also travelling in a convoy is a good thing.

[dinoracer]

Thanks Don

I just spoke to the friend I got the hulk from, he and I are going to do up a bill of sale tomorrow night, so I should be OK (never bothered to when I took the stripped remains from his driveway 2 years ago). He actually found a title for the car, from 1975....

[Mick]

I just checked. Passports aren't required until 2008.
I'm going to bring my expired passport along with my license, birth certificate, title, registration, urine and stool samples...just in case 8-[

[Subw00er]

Mick, good news about 2008. I was told it was 2007.

Last year I brought my expired passport and it was valid as US citizenship.

I just went ahead and got a new passport - its easy enough to do at the post office. Its cost $130. I believe if you just have to renew, it is cheaper, but mine was well out of date and I had to basically reapply from scratch. I paid the $30 extra for expidited service and got it back in a couple weeks.

[deimos]

Just remember that as you pull up to the booths at customs (coming or leaving Canada) you, your car, and everything in it has already been scanned (low power x-ray, millimeter wave camera, and various other "bad stuff" detectors), photographed, and recorded. With the very recent news from Toronto about the 17 "suspected terrorists", expect even more fun at the border.

[Crusin]

One other courtesy tip, for those who have diesel tow vehicles, when you pull up to the booth. shut down the engine. The immigrations people, both Canada and US appreciate the quiet.

[TTA89]

My Chevy sounds like a gas motor, its the Fords and Dodges that sound like farm tractors.