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Travel Tips Border Crossings/


Canada Customs Entry into Canada: International visitors to Canada who are not US citizens must be in possession of a valid national passport and may require a visa. Contact the nearest Canadian Consulate or Embassy for more information.


The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requires all persons who enter or re-enter the United States from Canada via air, land or sea to have a passport or other approved secure travel document. For updates, visit the US Department of State’s website at www.travel.state.gov.


Visitors to British Columbia are entitled to bring in a reasonable number of personal effects and a four-day supply of food. Visitors aged 19 years or over may import up to 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes, 200g (8 oz) of tobacco, 1.14 L (40 oz) of spirits or 1.5 L (51 oz) of wine or 8.5 L (288 oz) of beer or ale for personal consumption.


For more information on customs regulations call the Canada Border Services Agency at 1-800-461-9999 within Canada and 204-983-3500 outside Canada or visit www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca.


Vehicles and Private Boats During your stay in Canada, as a visitor or a temporary resident (not seasonal resident), you can temporarily import passenger and recreational vehicles, such as snowmobiles, boats and trailers, as well as outboard motors, for your personal use. You cannot leave temporarily imported goods in Canada between visits unless they have been properly reported to the CBSA and you were issued a Form E99, CBSA Report. You must display this form on your vehicle, boat or trailer or have it easily available to prove that you imported the goods legally. Remember to watch the expiry date. If you leave goods in Canada beyond the expiry date, and they are not in accordance with CBSA regulations, they may become subject to seizure and forfeiture.


Drivers Licenses A valid out-of-province driver’s license including an international drivers license can be used in British Columbia for up to six months.


Seat Belts British Columbia law requires that all drivers and passengers use seat belts while driving or riding in a motor vehicle. Strict car/booster regulations are in place for children up to the age of nine years old or 145 centimeters (57 inches) tall. For more details, visit www.icbc.com/road_safety.


Temporary Importation of Fisgard Lighthouse, Colwood - Shelley Lipke/PictureBC


Helmets Helmets are required by all bicyclists and motorcyclists.


Mobile Cell Phones It is against the law to drive while using a handheld mobile phone or other electronic device. Drivers may use hands-free cell phones that are voice activated, or activated by one touch, provided they are securely attached to the vehicle or driver’s body i.e. an ear piece. For more information, visit www.DriveCellSafe.com.


Alcohol and Driving It is a criminal offence to operate, or be in the care or control of a vehicle, whether in motion or not, with a blood alcohol content of more than .08 per cent. Drivers with a blood alcohol content of between .05 and .08 may also face fines and license suspensions, and have their vehicles impounded. Breath samples may be requested by a peace officer.


Vehicle Accidents If you are involved in an accident, immediately contact the local police or Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), then your insurance company.


Road Conditions For information on road conditions 24 hours a day check the Drive BC web site at www.drivebc.com. The web site includes links to various other information sources such as Inland Ferry Schedules, BC Ferries Waits, Border Crossing Times and Major Incidents and Road Closures.


Towing an RV of Less Than 4,600 kg Most recreational trailers weigh less than 4,600 kg, and thus may be driven by a driver with a passenger car driver’s license (Class 5 or 7 in British Columbia). An air brake endorsement is required if either the truck or trailer has air brakes. For more details, visit www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-licensed/ towingrv.


4 ~ Super Camping


For RV trailers weighing more than 4,600 kg and neither the recreational trailer nor your truck has air brakes, you need: • a Class 1, 2 or 3 driver’s license, or • a Class 4 or 5 driver’s license with a heavy trailer endorsement (code 20), or


• a Class 4 or 5 driver’s license with a house trailer endorsement (code 51).


For more information check the Insurance Corporation of BC (ICBC) website at www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-licensed/ towingrv.


Sewage Disposal Sani-stations are found at various locations throughout the province, including campgrounds, some gas stations and RV dealerships. For a list of places to dump go to www.sanidumps.com. Visitors are asked to respect the environment by disposing of grey water and sewage in the proper fashion.


Campgrounds, RV Dealers & Rentals offering sani- station facilities to their customers can be identified in Super Camping by looking for the sani-station symbol in their listings b


Ferries For information on ferry schedules, rates and vehicle reservations call BC Ferries toll-free at 1-888-223-3779 from within British Columbia or 250-386-3431 from out of province or visit www.bcferries.com.


Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) A harmonized sales tax (HST) of 12% is applicable to most goods and services purchased in British Columbia including campsite rentals. In some municipalities there is an additional hotel room tax of up to 2% and this is charged on room rentals but not campsite rentals.


Emergency 911 In emergency situations, contact the local police, ambulance service, fire department and other


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