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CSA TRAVEL INFORMATION GUIDE
CIGARS
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Cuban-origin cigars and other Cuban-origin tobacco products are not allowed even for personal
use or to be used as a gift.
OUTDOOR ARTICLES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
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Please inspect and clean items which are used or stored out-of-doors such as boats (aquatic
weeds), RV’s (Gypsy Moth eggs) and outdoor furniture before bringing them into the United
States.
LIVE ANIMALS
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Please refer to the separate CSA monograph entitled Taking Your Pet to the U.S. concerning your
cat or dog.
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Other pets, including birds have specific importation restrictions for both Canada and the U.S.
and should be discussed with the respective government agency before commencing your trip
as a pre-booked appointment with the USDA port veterinarian may be necessary.
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Rodents from Africa, civets and non-commercial ruminant animals are not allowed.
MEDICATION
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Please refer to the separate CSA monograph entitled Taking Medication to the United States.
Can I Take (Export) an Automobile to the United States?
The majority of snowbird travellers drive their Canadian-registered vehicle to their annual winter
destination each fall and return with it to Canada in the spring. Some travellers ask a family member
or friend to drive their vehicle for them or use a commercial “drive-away” service. Others prefer to
purchase a second vehicle in the United States that is kept exclusively at their winter home year-
round, while they travel to/from Canada by air. The last group of travellers contemplate bringing a
Canadian-registered vehicle to the United States one year and decide to just leave it in the U.S. on an
ongoing basis.
It is important to note that a vehicle – including a trailer – that is registered in one country cannot
be simply driven over an international border and left on an ongoing indefinite basis without going
through formal export and import procedures at the border.
Under Canadian law, for example, an American or other non-permanent resident can bring their
foreign vehicle temporarily into Canada (provided it is not sold or otherwise disposed of while in
Canada), only for the time limit listed on their passport, work permit, student visa or other immigra-
tion status. Once that time limit has expired, the vehicle must leave Canada or be permanently
imported. Motorists visiting the United States as tourists from countries like Canada that have ratified
the Convention on International Road Traffic 1949 may drive their vehicle in the United States for up
to one year with their native licence plates (registration tags) and driver’s licences. Should you decide
to leave your Canadian-registered vehicle and/or trailer in the United States beyond one year, proper
U.S. vehicle registration is required. There is no exemption or extension of the export requirements.