What is the normal process at customs to enter canada from the us?

Question

We will be driving with a group of peopel goign to montreal. When u get to the border what is the process? Do they check passport is their papeer work to fill out?

Answer 1

They check your passport coming into the country now, leaving I just believe it's prove of ID and US citizenship and your into Canada. It's getting back thats the problem nowadays.

Answer 2

If you're an American citizen,you don't need a passport when crossing the border into Canada by land or sea until June 2009. You need a driver's license and birth certificate.

Answer 3

There is no paperwork to fill out.  Everyone *must* have a piece of government issued photo ID (ie. driver's license) and proof of citizenship (birth certificate).... or a passport, which covers both photo and citizenship.

They'll ask your citizenship (even though you've just handed them all of the documents, LOL).  They might ask which city you are all from.  They'll ask where you are going, and for how long.... if you are staying at a hotel it doesn't hurt to have the reservations confirmation printed so that you can show them that.  

They'll ask if you have anything to declare.  If you are of age to purchase alcohol or tobacco on the US side, then you can stop at the duty free and get great deals!  For every "of age" person in the car, you are allowed to bring one bottle of alcohol and one carton of cigarettes.

If you don't drink and don't smoke, then good for you!  LOL

If you are young and driving a nice car, they might ask whose car it is and might like to see the vehicle ownership documents.  I've had to do this a couple of times while driving my parent's car back and forth over the border.

ADD:  Nope, they do it all while you are in the car.  So as you approach the border, make sure that everyone in the car passes their ID up to the driver, so that he/she can pass it to the customs agent as soon as you get to the booth.  Unless the customs agent feels a need to search your car (someone's ID looks fishy, doesn't trust that you are declaring everything, etc), then you'll pass right through and no one has to get out.  If they *DO* pull you over, they'll tell you all exactly what to do.  Has happened to me many a times.... no biggie, unless you really are hiding something.

Have a good trip  :D