# Please Help! Anyone tell me about crossing Sweetgrass Port? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 21, 2015, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249 "2015-02-21T04:59:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/21 "2015-02-21T06:49:26Z")
> [@Meglymoo87](#): > > One more thing, do we need to import our vehicle?? Again, this was never discussed by the officers at the border when I asked what was required for our particular visit to Canada. > > Here’s our scenario: we are going to evangelism school for 3 months (from April 27-July 30) but have to arrive early because our lease expires in US making staying here any extra impossible/expensive (our family is 800+ miles away in Michigan). We are still considered by the Canadian government to be just visiting (since our stay is less than 6 months), and this also means (according to govt) that we don’t need any studying visas etc. We will be leaving Canada after our stay and returning to US tenatively around August 1. > > So with this basic scenario, do you know if we are required to “import” our vehicle or is it not necessary? Again, the border officers didn’t seem to find it important enough to discuss with us on either side, so we don’t know. No, you need not import your vehicle. Your visitor’s “visa” (as Americans, you do not need one, but just go with the idea for now) is good for up to six months, so your personal vehicle can be admitted for up to six months. Do make sure that you can indicate insurance coverage on the vehicle to Canadian authorities if necessary. Your car insurance is most likely automatically valid in Canada (most, if not all American insurers cover operating your car in Canada and the US), but American insurers don’t tend to show this on your insurance card. You need to get in touch with your insurer for a document that can indicate to Canadian authorities that your insurance is valid in Canada. As I understand, such a document is free of charge, so it costs no more than a phone call to your insurer. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/22 "2015-02-21T06:50:06Z")
Without passports you are seriously rolling the dice. You may get accepted, or you may get turned away. I don’t know why you wouldn’t have planned this out in advance and gotten passports. Bon chance. ---
**Author:** ![Meglymoo87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Meglymoo87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meglymoo87)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/23 "2015-02-21T06:53:52Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Without passports you are seriously rolling the dice. You may get accepted, or you may get turned away. > > I don’t know why you wouldn’t have planned this out in advance and gotten passports. > > Bon chance. Because we didn’t have our income tax return until now. This was only way we could’ve afforded the passports. The planning was thought of WAY in advance, but the finances were only there just now (putting us behind WAY more than inticipated). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Meglymoo87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Meglymoo87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meglymoo87)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/24 "2015-02-21T06:55:26Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > No, you need not import your vehicle. Your visitor’s “visa” (as Americans, you do not need one, but just go with the idea for now) is good for up to six months, so your personal vehicle can be admitted for up to six months. > > Do make sure that you can indicate insurance coverage on the vehicle to Canadian authorities if necessary. Your car insurance is most likely automatically valid in Canada (most, if not all American insurers cover operating your car in Canada and the US), but American insurers don’t tend to show this on your insurance card. You need to get in touch with your insurer for a document that can indicate to Canadian authorities that your insurance is valid in Canada. As I understand, such a document is free of charge, so it costs no more than a phone call to your insurer. Yes, we had to switch to Allstate just to get complete coverage for the ENTIRE 4 month (total) stay in Canada. And we already ordered our Canadian (yellow) insurance ID cards. And thanks for the info on importation 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/25 "2015-02-21T06:55:35Z")
> [@Meglymoo87](#): > > So passports aside…since we are now on the hurry to get us some passports…Can someone please answer this question about if we have to import our vehicle? I haven’t a clue. I’m not sure what that entails, but I don’t see why. Snowbirds head for the U.S. South every winter and stay for months. I’ve never heard that they have to import their cars to the U.S. One other thing. What about medical insurance? It’s free here (for all intents and purposes) for Canadian citizens, but not for foreigners. If you have medical insurance, are you sure it covers you outside the U.S.? It might be worthwhile to check into your car insurance, though I doubt that would be a problem. **Edit:** Beaten to the punch. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/26 "2015-02-21T06:57:28Z")
> [@Meglymoo87](#): > > Oh bummer, guess that answers THAT question… “The passport card is the wallet-size travel document that can only be used to re-enter the United States at land border-crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.” Re-entry only. No good for us. That means that the only way you can re-enter the US using a passport card is by land or sea, not that you can’t use it to enter other countries. It’s to stop people from turning up at the airport with a passport card thinking it will get them on the plane. Since you’re planning to drive in (and presumably back out), your passport card would be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Meglymoo87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Meglymoo87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meglymoo87)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/27 "2015-02-21T06:59:25Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > I haven’t a clue. I’m not sure what that entails, but I don’t see why. Snowbirds head for the U.S. South every winter and stay for months. I’ve never heard that they have to import their cars to the U.S. > > One other thing. What about medical insurance? It’s free here (for all intents and purposes) for Canadian citizens, but not for foreigners. If you have medical insurance, are you sure it covers you outside the U.S.? > > It might be worthwhile to check into your car insurance, though I doubt that would be a problem. > > **Edit:** Beaten to the punch. Lol (on your edit) 🙂 I haven’t checked with medical insurance (it’s just regular Medicaid currently). I guess if we get really badly injured or sick or something serious, we will have a mad dash to the border. Or once we get our passports, a mad dash to America on a plane! ---
**Author:** ![Meglymoo87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Meglymoo87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meglymoo87)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/28 "2015-02-21T07:00:33Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > That means that the only way you can re-enter the US using a passport card is by land or sea, not that you can’t use it to enter other countries. It’s to stop people from turning up at the airport with a passport card thinking it will get them on the plane. Since you’re planning to drive in (and presumably back out), your passport card would be fine. Hmmmm…have you had any experience with it personally? Or know someone who has? Specifically for using it to ENTER canada from US? Would love to hear more 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/29 "2015-02-21T07:05:45Z")
No clue about Medicaid. Here’s hoping it doesn’t exclude injuries or sickness that occurred or started outside the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![Meglymoo87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Meglymoo87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meglymoo87)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/30 "2015-02-21T07:07:20Z")
> [@Lord\_Feldon](#): > > That means that the only way you can re-enter the US using a passport card is by land or sea, not that you can’t use it to enter other countries. It’s to stop people from turning up at the airport with a passport card thinking it will get them on the plane. Since you’re planning to drive in (and presumably back out), your passport card would be fine. And you’re correct btw…I guess the original I read didn’t make sense because it didn’t say that in any part of it. Here’s from Canadian website instead… “United States citizens can use an official passport card to enter Canada if driving across the border or entering from the sea.” Do you know if it takes LESS TIME by any chance to receive it then a passport book? ---
**Author:** ![Meglymoo87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Meglymoo87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meglymoo87)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/31 "2015-02-21T07:08:23Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > No clue about Medicaid. Here’s hoping it doesn’t exclude injuries or sickness that occurred or started outside the U.S. Lol! RIGHT!! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/32 "2015-02-21T07:11:02Z")
> [@Meglymoo87](#): > > Thanks, Spoons! And I think you’re right…I’m just so nervous about all this stuff it’s hard to keep my head on straight (and not knowing one thing from the next makes it harder…since I’ve literally never encountered this before ever)… Don’t be nervous. Border crossings happens every day. I’ve crossed the US-Canada border innumerable times, and have never had any problems. Be prepared for the following questions from CBSA authorities: – What is your citizenship? (Passports help with this one.) – What is the reason for your trip? (Vacation, business, attending a training course, etc. See Note.) – Where are you going? – For how long? – Anything to declare? (This is custom-ese for “What will you be leaving behind?” Examples would include tobacco products, alcohol, gifts for friends in Canada, anything similar.) –Any weapons? (Canada does not allow handguns, long guns unless the proper paperwork has been completed ahead of time or upon declaration at the border, brass knuckles, pepper spray, etc. If anything is remotely offensive/defensive, declare it.) Note: You said this: > [@](#): > > Here’s our scenario: we are going to evangelism school for 3 months (from April 27-July 30) but have to arrive early because our lease expires in US making staying here any extra impossible/expensive (our family is 800+ miles away in Michigan). We are still considered by the Canadian government to be just visiting (since our stay is less than 6 months), and this also means (according to govt) that we don’t need any studying visas etc. I am unsure how this would be interpreted by a CBSA officer. True, you cannot study at a Canadian university or community college on a tourist “visa” (again, Americans don’t need one, but again, just go with it); but at the same time, I’m sure that you’re attending neither. You might do well to contact the school you are planning on attending and asking whether you can attend classes as a tourist, or whether you require a student visa. They would know, and would advise you accordingly. ---
**Author:** ![Meglymoo87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Meglymoo87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meglymoo87)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/33 "2015-02-21T07:15:25Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I am unsure how this would be interpreted by a CBSA officer. True, you cannot study at a Canadian university or community college on a tourist “visa” (again, Americans don’t need one, but again, just go with it); but at the same time, I’m sure that you’re attending neither. > > You might do well to contact the school you are planning on attending and asking whether you can attend classes as a tourist, or whether you require a student visa. They would know, and would advise you accordingly. Yes, I went onto the Canadian government website and took their “quiz” to see if we needed visas. According to the government, it’s considered temporary (under 6 months) so doesn’t require any special visas. The school we are attending concurred. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Meglymoo87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Meglymoo87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meglymoo87)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/34 "2015-02-21T07:16:26Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Don’t be nervous. Border crossings happens every day. I’ve crossed the US-Canada border innumerable times, and have never had any problems. And thanks SO MUCH for your encouragement! Kindly received!! 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/35 "2015-02-21T07:17:17Z")
> [@Meglymoo87](#): > > Lol (on your edit) 🙂 I haven’t checked with medical insurance (it’s just regular Medicaid currently). I guess if we get really badly injured or sick or something serious, we will have a mad dash to the border. Or once we get our passports, a mad dash to America on a plane! Get medical insurance to cover your stay in Canada. Contrary to what many Americans think (thanks, Homer Simpson), medical care costs money in Canada, and if you have no insurance, you will receive a bill. Canadians and permanent residents are insured under provincial plans, of course; but more than one American has been surprised to receive a bill from a Canadian hospital for what they mistakenly assumed was “free healthcare in Canada.” ---
**Author:** ![Meglymoo87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Meglymoo87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meglymoo87)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/36 "2015-02-21T07:18:45Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Get medical insurance to cover your stay in Canada. Contrary to what many Americans think (thanks, Homer Simpson), medical care costs money in Canada, and if you have no insurance, you will receive a bill. > > Canadians and permanent residents are insured under provincial plans, of course; but more than one American has been surprised to receive a bill from a Canadian hospital for what they mistakenly assumed was “free healthcare in Canada.” Gotchya thanks! I think another commenter here said same thing, that it’s only free to Canadian residents and not foreigners. 😉 Wasn’t there recently that lady who went into labor in Canada and had to pay hundred thousands or millions of dollars? ---
**Author:** ![Meglymoo87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Meglymoo87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meglymoo87)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/37 "2015-02-21T07:23:03Z")
I sincerely thank ALL of you for responding and all the info you have given us thus far. It’s almost 2:30 in the morning where I am so I am gonna head off to bed. I will check in with this thread tomorrow (well later today). Thanks again so much! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/38 "2015-02-21T07:24:30Z")
> [@Meglymoo87](#): > > Yes, I went onto the Canadian government website and took their “quiz” to see if we needed visas. According to the government, it’s considered temporary (under 6 months) so doesn’t require any special visas. The school we are attending concurred. 🙂 It looks like you’ve been doing your homework then. Good to hear! Enjoy your stay here. And if you feel like a coffee after geting through the Canadian border, let me know–as you can see from my location, I’m in the first town of any size you’ll hit after passing through the Coutts/Sweetgrass border. Looking forward to hearing how your trip progresses! ETA on preview: likely thousands, but it wouldn’t be millions. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Meglymoo87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Meglymoo87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meglymoo87)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/39 "2015-02-21T07:28:05Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > It looks like you’ve been doing your homework then. Good to hear! > > Enjoy your stay here. And if you feel like a coffee after geting through the Canadian border, let me know–as you can see from my location, I’m in the first town of any size you’ll hit after passing through the Coutts/Sweetgrass border. Looking forward to hearing how your trip progresses! > > ETA on preview: likely thousands, but it wouldn’t be millions. 🙂 Yes, I have been planning for MONTHS…just coming down to the wire it’s getting a little crazy! LOL! Oh yeah definitely…we will need a victory lap (ie: coffee) after crossing the border for our first time ever hehehe! :o;)🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2015, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249/40 "2015-02-21T07:28:35Z")
Something a little less serious: Your vehicle’s speedometer would be marked (secondarily, likely) in kilometres per hour (km/h), but you can figure distances into miles, more or less ballpark, by multiplying the first number by six. So, f’rinstance, a sign saying Calgary, 80 kilometres, multiply the 8 by 6 to get 48 miles (It’s 49.7, but close enough for government work). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/please-help-anyone-tell-me-about-crossing-sweetgrass-port/713249.md?page=3)