I am moving from Toronto to Vancouver and would like to drive through the U.S. Is this allowed as I will have furniture and clothing packed in my van and a rented trailer.
I am moving from Toronto to Vancouver and would like to drive through the U.S. Is this allowed as I will have furniture and clothing packed in my van and a rented trailer.
|
|
|
Not going to be allowed to do that, UNLESS you buy a "in transit CASH BOND ‘ from the US Border service, to guarantee that you will LEAVE the USA, on a certain date. The amount will be several hundred dollars in cash, and it will be refunded, when you leave the USA. This is to keep track of you, and to prevent you from staying in the USA, to live and try to work.
Personally, I would drive the Trans Canadian route, and save the hassles with US Customs and Immigration. Your choice.
Jim B. Toronto.
Absolutely you can, just have your passport, and also be prepared to be searched at the border (no biggie, they do this a lot with trailers, but if your honest and let them know your not moving to the us but just in transit since the roads are quicker- they may not even do that- just open the trailer up and then say have a nice day).
Why deal with the hassle?
You will have to deal with immigration and answer questions related to your move when they see you with a truck of furnitures. They will find it strange that you can’t drive from Toronto to Vancouver without crossing the borders. They might even scan your truck for drugs/illegal stuff.
To me is just going to be unnecessary hassle I won’t want to deal with.
I just want to add something: If you really want to take a US road trip to Vancouver, and you are willing to deal with immigration, then do it. It could also be a once in a chance opportunity for you. I just don’t want my answer to discourage you for doing something you want to do. Have fun moving.
I drove from Taber AB to Hamilton in a Uhaul state side in 1995 without any hassle. Of course that was before 911 and you only needed your drivers license and birth certificates at that time. They did ask me why I chose to drive state side and I told them because as a single mom with 2 children making this cross country move in the middle of winter, I wanted a route where there was more populated in case I had vehicle problems.
I’m sure you still can use the state side route but the border is a lot stricter now and you need your passports and be prepare for a vehicle search if required
Sorry, but unless you have passports for yourself and your passengers, and documentation for the goods you are hauling, you are going to run into problems. Check with US immigration to find out if there is a special permit you can get. Otherwise, you’d be better to stay on Canadian highways – not as easy, but less hassle.
Just curious to see if you have moved yet and how things went. I am about to do the same thing, Toronto to Vancouver with a u-haul, I am a bit concerned about the border, but its so much faster through the US.. Please let me know what you ended up doing.
Thanks!