Crossing The Border In Your RV: What You Should Know
RVing is a popular practice around the world, so many travelers want to take international trips. Lots of RVers dream of taking the long pilgrimage through Canada to Alaska, while others want to enjoy the sunny weather in Mexico. But there are rules you need to follow if a border crossing is part of your trip.
With the right preparation, you can absolutely drive an RV into another country. You just need to be prepared for additional security checks and a few restrictions. You’ll definitely need to plan ahead if you want to cross international borders because these are carefully guarded. Make sure you have all your necessary documents in hand and ditch any forbidden items.
Fortunately, plenty of RVers have been in your shoes, so you don’t have to figure everything out yourself. There are well-established rules and practices at each border, although the specifics may vary depending on whether you’re going to Canada or Mexico. Let’s take a closer look at the ins and outs of an RV border crossing.
General guidelines and essential tips
Each nation has its own rules for border crossings, but there are some general tips you should follow if you plan to travel out of your home country. Follow the list below as you make early preparations for your trip.
Bring passports for every passenger
Everyone in your travel party needs to have a valid proof of identification/citizenship. A passport is the most widely used and accepted format, but there are other options that might work too.
Possible alternatives include:
- An original birth certificate
- Original certificate of naturalization or citizenship
- A Certificate of Indian Status
- A US Permanent Resident Card
- Photo Identification
You may need to bring multiple forms of ID if you don’t have a passport, so be sure to cover all your bases. In addition, you should double-check your passport expiration dates. Sometimes they won’t be accepted within six months of expiration, so you should be mindful of your timing.
Vehicle paperwork
Border agents are used to dealing with cars every day, but RVs are a bit more unusual. You may be under greater scrutiny as a result. You don’t necessarily need to provide vehicle paperwork at the border, but it’s good to have it ready for your travels anyway.
Important documents include your vehicle registration, a valid driver’s license, your insurance information, and maybe even a roadside assistance plan. Be sure to have all the necessary information for your tow vehicle and trailer.
Check contraband lists and plan accordingly
Countries have the right to control what crosses over their borders. Even if something is perfectly legal in your country, you may need to leave it behind if it gets you into trouble at the border check.
The specific rules about contraband vary depending on where you’re traveling, plus the rules can be updated at any time. However, you should generally avoid traveling with live plants and non-pet animals, fresh produce, fireworks, and alcohol.
There are sometimes ways to bring firearms across international borders, but you’ll need to go through a lengthy process and pay extra fees.
For instance, Canada has strict gun control laws. While firearms are owned and used in Canada, the rationale of “self-defense” is not a valid reason to acquire or possess a firearm in Canada. Travelers can bring certain types of firearms, especially hunting rifles, into Canada for purposes such as sport shooting or hunting, but they must declare them at the border and meet specific requirements. This might include having the appropriate permits, ensuring the firearm is stored and transported correctly, and potentially other conditions.
Due to the stringent regulations and potential for misunderstandings or issues at the border, many individuals find it simpler to leave their firearms behind when traveling to Canada unless they have a specific reason, like a hunting trip.
Prepare local currency ASAP
You might assume that you can still use US currency during your travels. When you’re close to the border, this is generally true, but you should still have some local currency on hand for emergencies. Be sure to alert your credit card company that you’ll be traveling in a new country so your account isn’t suspended.
Remember that the further you get from the border, the fewer places accept American currency.
Declare cash more than $10,000
Speaking of money, be careful not to bring too much. This might sound strange, but you’ll definitely seem suspicious at the border crossing if you have more than $10,000 cash with you. You’ll need to declare that you have this much money and explain why you have it.
Customs agents are on the lookout for people who travel with large sums of money because it might mean that they’re smuggling drugs. Keep your money to a reasonable amount, or be prepared to explain yourself.
Expect delays at the border, especially if you declare something
A border crossing can be over in a matter of minutes or take several hours. It all depends on how many people are in line and how much security you have to go through. If you’re traveling with a firearm that needs approval or another restricted item, you may be pulled aside for a vehicle inspection.
Even if you have all your ducks in a row, you’ll still need to wait in line and deal with delays from other travelers. So keep your timing flexible on the days when you plan to cross over the border!
Clearly outline your travel plans
When you go through a border check, you’ll need to speak to a customs agent. Their job is to check your travel paperwork and find out a few details about your trip. Be honest and compliant during these checks! Sarcasm and vague answers won’t get you anywhere.
In many cases, they will ask you where you’re going and how long you expect to stay in the country. Be prepared to provide some specific details about your destination, including your route and a few addresses or stops.
COVID/Medical documents
During the height of the pandemic lockdowns, there were a lot of travel restrictions at the borders. Nowadays, most of these rules have been lifted, so you won’t usually be asked for medical documents. It’s still a good idea to travel with them, though, just in case!
Traveling to Canada
All of the rules above apply to RVers who want to go to Canada. But there are a few more specific you should be aware of.
- Don’t try to bring marijuana across the border. Although it’s legal in the country, you still shouldn’t bring it because it’s a controlled substance.
- There may be more flexible passport rules if you cross the border frequently. Border cities like Detroit may offer enhanced licenses or NEXUS cards. It’s still a good idea to have a passport though, just in case.
- Canada has more strict rules about incoming food. RVers should empty their refrigerator before crossing because most types of produce, dairy, and meat are restricted. Even houseplants can get you in trouble.
- Carry medical records and vaccination paperwork for pets. Keep pet food in original bags and only bring a minimal amount.
- There are special rules if you want to bring an RV rental over the border. In this case, travelers should bring a booking voucher, rental agreement, insurance certificate, and written permission to take the RV from Canada into the US. Be sure to tell your rental agency where you’ll be traveling so they can give you the proper paperwork.
For more information about crossing the Canadian border, visit the country’s official information website.
Traveling to Mexico
The rules around the Mexican border are a bit different. Some areas are more lax, while others are stricter. Be sure to do your research before you arrive!
- All visitors will need Mexican auto insurance. Most US insurance companies won’t extend coverage to travelers in Mexico, so you’ll need local coverage. Helpful providers include BajaBound, Lewis & Lewis, and MexPro.
- There’s also some unique paperwork for incoming visitors. RVers will need a Temporary Vehicle Importation Permit (TIP) as well as a special tourist visa called a Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM). This visa lasts for 180 days and you can fill it out at the border.
- If you’re traveling in your own RV, you need to provide your vehicle registration details. If you’re using a rental, show the rental documents, plus a letter from your lender stating you have permission to take it to Mexico.
- There are fewer RV parks in this country and they may open and close at random. Be sure to look up where you’re going ahead of time because it can be hard to find a place to stay.
- In most cases, Mexico doesn’t require you to show health certificates for your pets. As long as they’re generally in good shape, you should be clear to bring them into the country.
For more details about a border crossing in Mexico, visit travel.state.gov.
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Related articles:
- RV Travel Tales: Over the Border to Algodones, Mexico
- Camping In Western Canada: The Best RV Parks And Resorts
- 6 Things You Need To Know About RV Camping In Mexico
I have done this several times in my motorhome, but this time what a disaster. Tons of questions about firearms I owned and left in my home in Texas, and the finale was a half hour search of my motorhome with me, my wife and three kids lined up on the sidewalk like criminals that ended in “ok thanks”. Meanwhile sketch people in cars were being waved by. Really Canada?
Canada has been pretty bad the last few times I’ve crossed, while the Mexico border officials have been much more friendly and professional.
A note about returning to the US from Mexico or Canada: Pick the right lane! Make sure you’re in a lane that will accommodate your RV as I’ve seen some heartbreaking examples of not RV folks not paying attention to where they’re going.
Research this ahead of time. In Mexico, they’re referred to as “bus lanes” or “oversized vehicle lanes” and signs might be confusing or non-existent.
What YOU should KNOW is the people at the border, on both sides, have the power to make you leave your RV, go inside, and search everything. I have heard HORROR stores about people being detained all night and having their property confiscated. I can not recommend that anyone take an RV over the border NORTH of SOUTH.
We just did a big trip to the states from Canada. We had no issues. Told them where we where traveling to see the sights. Checked our plates as it was not on the truck but the Camper as their cameras cannot pick up the plates. They asked us why on the camper and we explained to them why. No problem we our passports, dogs vaccines up to date. Some cash mostly credit cards. Returning at the Canadian border no problem asked us where we crossed into the states, any cash said we are broke they just laughed, asked if our puppies are Canadian said yes. Total we spent including alcohol. What my wife does is she has an envelope with the receipts were we bought stuff, the cost of each item we bought and the total we spent. This way they can see what we have done, every trip we go on into the states and come back to Canada with said items. One custom agent they wished more people did what we did in the details of expenditure. They has helped everyone
Don’t soft pedal the “gun” issue too much on Mexico. A friend had his truck impounded because of an empty shell casing in his tool box in the back. Mandatory jail time. Don’t be a fool and think you can hide it or you may not see your family again for many a moon. Visitation days are usually limited.
I spent less time at the Canadian border or the US border coming home, than I did at the Hoover Dam inspection. Don’t bring guns, or a full liquor cabinet, and plan to do a grocery shop once you are in Canada. Otherwise, you will be fine. The border crossings have long queues but otherwise they are no big deal.
On the other hand, at the Hoover Dam, I had an inside inspection and they checked most of my basement compartments. Definitely more thorough, which I was happy to oblige given the troubled times we live in and the national treasure we have in this impressive engineering achievement.
We are Canadians and live in Canada, and cross into the U.S. with our RV every year or two. My first observation about border crossings is this: only answer the specific question asked. It seems volunteering extra information can and will be assumed to be an attempt to cover up something. The other observation is to be prepared: know the rules on importation, vehicle movement, pet documentation, and of course the full and complete paperwork for every traveler. Agents are highly-trained and schooled in their country’s documentation requirements for entry, so do not try to confuse or confront them. Lastly, be nice. You are asking to enter the country as a guest, and respect the fact that it is that agent’s decision on whether or not to allow you [all] into their country. On that note, welcome !
I have crossed many times, usually in the East. The last time we crossed I realized as we approached the customs agent I had more than the limit of alcohol on board. I declared what i had as close as I could figure. naturally I was diverted to inspection where I opened my liquor cabinet. The agent excluded my open bottles of liquor and finagled the report so I had only one 6 pack of beer excess. $17 CDN for that oversite and off I went with my stock intact.
Do they go through your personal stuff such as prescription drugs? Wife take Lyrica for Fibromyalgia, which is a controlled substance. Also, she uses those plastic divider containers. No labels. A problem?
Also, does standing out side your RV while strangers rummage through it create the possibility of theft?
Keep all meds in their original containers with labels intact. Plan so that the pill management system is empty when you cross to avoid any questions.
You’re always subject to inspection when crossing any border. Everything is game.
Thefts by border agents is virtually unheard of. Legal confiscation of contraband is an entirely different matter. Know before you go!
We just traveled from US (sweet grass MT border) to Alaska & back to US.
Passports were ready, & questions answered politely. My 98yr old mother’s CBD knee cream was taken at the border. She joked with the agent “if I’m arrested, can I stay with you?” He just smiled.
Declare anything that the agent asks about. We were done in 7 minutes.
I wish our southern border was as secure as Canada’s southern border!
Americans are not trying to escape grinding poverty and drug cartels traveling to Canada. There are hundreds of miles of unprotected border between the US and Canada.
Hundreds of kilometers of unprotected border, too, eh?