Ontario Travel Information, Ontario Visitor Info

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS:

If you have a felony or misdemeanor conviction (e.g. DWI), you must contact one of the numbers below prior to your arrival. Plan well in advance. Contact: Citizenship and Immigration, within Canada 1-888-242-2100 or Internationally 416-973-4444 or visit www.cic.gc.ca. You may call the Rainy River Immigration at 807-852-3968 (which is our closest border crossing).

There is a $6 USD fee (9 CDN fee) for crossing into Canada from the USA at the Fort Frances Border Crossing. Rainy River Border Crossing does not have a charge and generally has no long line-ups.

GOODS YOU MAY BRING INTO CANADA

A reasonable amount of personal effects, food supply, tank of gas, gifts not exceeding $60 Canadian for a friend/relative in Canada duty free. This does not include tobacco products, alcoholic beverages or advertising material.

• Gifts more than $60 Canadian are subject to duty.
• Up to 40 ozs of liquor or 1.5 litres of wine or 24 x 12 oz bottles of beer*
• Up to 1 carton of cigarettes and 50 cigars and 1 can of tobacco and 200 tobacco sticks*

* You must be at least 19 years of age to import these goods into Ontario. Any additional alcoholic beverages or tobacco products other than those listed above are subject to duty. Contact: Customs Border Services 1-800-461-9999 (within Canada) or (807) 274-3655 or www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca

GOODS NOT ALLOWED INTO CANADA

You can call the local borders for an update prior to going on your vacation: Rainy River Border at 807-852-3341; Fort Frances Border at 807-274-3655.

• live minnows, leeches, night crawlers/worms unless in artificial bedding
• most firearms/weapons (except for hunting where you can register your guns for use in Canada)
• stun guns, mace or any other spray to be used against humans
• At this time only 10# of #1 potatoes and "some" pet food may not be brought from the US into Canada. Only 2 dozen eggs, "limited pounds" of meats.

PETS

Dogs and cats entering Canada from the U.S. will need a valid rabies vaccination certificate issued during the preceding 36 months. Visitors from countries other than the U.S. who wish to bring a pet into Canada should contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency at (905) 612-6285.

"Some" pet food cannot be brought from the USA into Canada.

RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES

• After 48 hours in Canada - $400 U.S. worth of merchandise duty free every 30 days. Families may combine their $400 exemptions.
• Less than 48 hours, or if the $400 allowance or part of it has been used within the previous 30 days - an exemption of $200 U.S. is allowed. Visit the U.S. Customs Service at www.­ustreas.­gov
• Citrus Fruit such as Oranges cannot be brought from Canada to the USA, or through the USA.

GOODS &, SERVICES TAX (GST) REFUND  (This was changed April 2007)

Visitors to Canada may be eligible for a rebate on the GST if:

• Expenses on vacation tour packages total at least $200 Canadian before taxes
• Accommodations must be part of a "package" that includes a "service", such as a guide.
• Check with the establishment where you are going for specific information in regards to their business.
  

Mail in a Visitor Rebate Form to Revenue Canada, Visitor Rebate Program, Tax Centre, Summerside, PE, Canada CIN 6C6.
We will provide you with the forms you need. The form is printable off this page : http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/E/pbg/gf/gst115/.  On that same page, the related document RC4160 can be printed off also.

Important: Include the original bills of sale with your application. Vacation Package receipts must show the number of nights of your stay, whether USD or CAD funds, have a combined pricing total with breakdown of services. Contact: Revenue Canada at 1-800-668-4748 (within Canada) or 1-902-432-5608 (outside Canada) or go to www.ccra.gc.ca/visitors

FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION

• You may bring hunting rifles or shotguns into Ontario for hunting or competition purposes if you are 18 years of age or older.
• Plus 200 rounds of ammunition for hunting or 1,500 rounds for use at a recognized shooting competition.
• Firearms must be registered for a fee of $25.00 CDN (for all firearms).
• Archery equipment may be brought across the border at no charge. You do not have to register them, however, you do have to mention that you are bringing them across.
• All fully automatic weapons and handguns are prohibited.
• Contact: 1-800-731-4000 or (705) 329-7662 or visit the Canadian Firearms Centre at http://www.cfc-cafc.gc.ca/info_for-renseignement/non-residents/default_e.asp.
• The printable non-resident firearm declaration form is available at www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/form-formulaire/num-nom/909-eng.htm . Here you can view it and print it off, and have it completed fbefore you get to the border. (Don't sign it until you are at the Canadian border)

FISHING & HUNTING

• Non-resident fishing and hunting licenses may be obtained from us at Harris Hill Resort.
• Non-residents under the age of 18 may fish without a license if accompanied by a licensed adult. Any fish caught will legally be part of the catch and posession limit of the licensed adult. NOTE: You may purchase a separate fishing license for your children.
• Residents of Canada do not require a fishing license if they are over 65 years old.
• Residents of Canada under the age of 18 may fish without a license if accompanied by a licensed adult. They will have the same catch and possession limit of the accompanying adult.
• Please ensure that you follow all slot sizes and catch and posession limits allowed under the type of license you purchase and of the fishing Division/Zone you are in.
• To obtain a copy of the Fishing or Hunting Regulations prior to coming to Canada, contact the Ministry of Natural Resources at 1-800-667-1940 or (807) 274-5337 (Fort Frances). Ontario Hunting Regulations can be downloaded at www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/FW/Publication/MNR_E001275P.html .  Ontario Fishing regulations can be downloaded from www.mnr.gov.on.ca/en/Business/LetsFish/index.html. Regulations will also be provided at the time of License purchase here.

NEW CELL PHONE USE REGULATION FOR ONTARIO MAY 2009

Driver's are prohibited from using hand held cell phones and other hand-held electronic devices or communication devices while driving.  The use of Hands-free devices are permitted AND Emergency Calls, such as 911, will NOT be affected.

New NON-RESIDENT "OUTDOORS CARD" 2009

Since 2009 there is a Fishing Outdoors Card or a combination Hunting/Fishing Outdoors Card. You will fill out an application for a temporary Outdoors Card and a permanent one (the size of a credit card) will come in the mail. The Outdoors Card is good for 3 years.  Fishing & Hunting licences will be a standard paper licence, just smaller & looking a bit different. Each separate License must be purchased yearly. You will need to carry both the licence and outdoors card with you.

New BOATER'S LICENSE - since June 2009

If you are a Non-Canadian resident visiting for less than 45 days and operating your own boat you do not require a boaters licence.  If renting a boat, a non-resident operator doesn't need a boaters licence, but will have to sign and carry a copy of the rental agreement and a checklist stating that they have knowledge of or have been trained in navigation and the operation of the boat.   Canadian Residents will need to have a Boater's License to rent and operate a boat.

OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES:

Border Wait Times into Canada: Please note that this info does not include Rainy River Border Crossing that generally does not have a long line-up at all. Rainy River is also a free border crossing.
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times/menu-e.html

Universal Currency Converter: Please note that this is a live rate and will not be the same as the rate of resorts or banks.
www.xe.com/ucc

Note: information deemed to be accurate.