US-Canada Border Crossing Question NGC

[jumpmaster]

Against my better judgement, I'm going on a 9-day ride into Nova Scotia  with 11 other bikes around Memorial Day weekend and we will probably be crossing back and forth the border, at different border crossings, at least 3, maybe 4 times.  Any words of wisdom on carrying personal knives?  I sent out an email discouraging it because I've read more than once that trying to cross into Canada with anything that can be construed to be a weapon is asking for grief at the border crossing.  Is this still true???  I don't want to be spreading bad info if I've got it wrong.

[Yukonica]

That's a hard call because regulations are interpreted by the individual looking over your entrance request.
And they hold the stamps. If you are legitimate (camping and aren't concealing your 'camp' knife in your boot) it sounds like the big choice is in how easily your folding knife opens. They may be offended by your sword cane.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d19/d19-13-2-eng.html

"Prohibited weapons

15. In order for a good to be classified as a prohibited weapon, it must fall within the Criminal Code definition of "prohibited weapon". Only those weapons may be classified under TI 9898.00.00.

16. Not all weapons are necessarily prohibited. Any weapon that is not specifically prohibited by law will generally be admissible. If a weapon does not meet one or more of the definitions contained in the list of prohibited weapons, please consult the "Other weapons" section below.

17. The definition of prohibited weapon has two components: 1) "Paragraph (a)" weapons, being automatic, centrifugal, or gravity knives; and 2) "Paragraph (b)" weapons, being those laid out explicitly in the Criminal Code subsection 84(1) Regulations, Part 3. Section 84(1) of the Criminal Code states that a prohibited weapon is:

(a) a knife that has a blade that opens automatically by gravity or centrifugal force or by hand pressure applied to a button, spring, or other device in or attached to the handle of the knife; or
(b) any weapon, other than a firearm, that is prescribed to be a prohibited weapon.

Note: Knives that have a 'thumb stud' attached to the blade of the knife, that is independent of the handle (not protruding from the handle in the closed or folded position), and that open automatically by applying pressure to the thumb stud, do not generally meet the above definition of a prohibited weapon, and as such do not generally fall under TI 9898.00.00. However, if such a knife is found to also open by gravity or by the application of centrifugal force alone, it may still be considered to be prohibited. The misuse of knives may nonetheless be punishable under other laws"

[ITSec]

As our friend Y has said, the rule is not clear about what is acceptable - but it is clear about what is unacceptable.

Switchblades, spring knives, flip knives are all forbidden. Outsized standard knives (i.e., Bowie knives, etc.) are also not going to be allowed. Pocket knives, camping knives, and most hunting knives are going to be allowed as long as they seem to be 'utility' knives. The real key here is that the border staff are given guidance that the knife must be for a reasonable and useful purpose, and be a tool and not a weapon. I know the regulation Y quoted says it a little differently, but my friends who have worked at the border say the guidance they receive is to be reasonable - both about what is allowed and about what is prohibited.

A pocket knife can be in your pocket - but a camping knife should probably be in with your camping gear and not in a sheath on your belt while riding. Wearing it in the open implies it may be used as a weapon, where putting it with your other 'tools' indicates it will be used that way.

I've carried knives across the border (both directions) many, many times over more than 40 years and never had a problem - but all mine met the criteria I mentioned.

[acogoff]

    From experience, a Fillet knife amongst your fishing gear is not a problem. All I know on the subject.

[JohninVT]

Depending on where you cross you're as likely to get hassled about a knife on the US side as much as the Canadian.  If you want to avoid trouble don't have anything with a blade over 3" long on your person.  Pack it with your gear.  I have a Spyderco Para II that I carry every day for work.  I don't cross the border with it on me because it looks too "tactical" and the blade is 4".  Previous posters have given good advice but consider the appearance of the knife as well.  Daggers and knifes with tanto blades are pretty much only good for stabbing people.  Canadians consider stabbing people kind of anti-social.  They're weird like that.

Nova Scotia is beautiful.  The people there are really nice.  If you meet someone who isn't nice it's probably because they're an American who's visiting.  You're going to love it.         

[lucian]

Leave the knife home. If you feel the need you can always buy one there. They will ask if you have one. They will be more intolerant of a bike group with weapons.

[timonbik]

As a former LEO in a very busy border area, Niagara Falls, agents will look at intent of use as much as style.  If it is readily handy on your person they will consider it a weapon not a utility instrument.   Best not to have one at all but if you are camping keep it packed with your gear.  I know most are aware but DO NOT BRING FIREARMS WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  If you do, YOU WILL END UP IN JAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  You would be surprised how many truck drivers that do not head this advice and end up in the "klink".  When you cross the border, remove sunglasses, look the agent in the eye, answer all questions forthright.  Do not offer more info than asked.  Be polite and courteous and you won't likely have a problem.  At some locations they will make you remove your helmet.  Remember you will need a passport/Nexus card or enhanced drivers license, no if ands or buts.  Travel safe and enjoy Canukistan.
Cheers, Tim

[Dilliw]

Depending on where you cross you're as likely to get hassled about a knife on the US side as much as the Canadian.       

Yep I've crossed several times this year and the U.S. guys are harder to deal with than the Canadians.

[radguzzi]

Aside from the knife issue, I will drift your thread just a tad... 

What routes are you taking that will have you crossing back and forth 3 - 4 times from the US to Canadian border...? ? ?

When you are in New Brunswick, let's say crossing in Calais, Maine, you are 200 plus miles from the Fort Lawrence/Amherst area which is Nova Scotia proper...  Nine days to trek back and forth, you will eat up five just going to the US border that many times...!  And twelve (12) motorcyles to keep track of...?  Wow, that'll eat up some time every day.

Nova Scotia has a great deal to offer for scenic routes and things to do and is a surprisingly long ride from Yarmouth (if you choose to go by ferry) up to Sydney or over to Cape Breton Island.

Anyway, bring a small knife vs a Bowie knife, as others have said, pack it away and not have it appear to be at the ready as a weapon.

Safe travels.

rad__

[PeteS]

Never had a problem with folding knives including the one(s) in a Leatherman tool which is always carried in my gear, not on my person.

Pete

[radguzzi]

Yep I've crossed several times this year and the U.S. guys are harder to deal with than the Canadians.

Funny that you say that...

We once crossed with a total of six motorcycles on a tour up to the Gaspe and at one crossing we handed over the passports, never asked to even take our helmets off.  They said "Have a nice visit"...  lol 

rad__

[Lannis]

Maybe this could be part of a new "FAQ" segment ... the question of "What can I carry into Canada?" comes up pretty often, and the answer is always the same.   

"Be reasonable.   Just carry something that's obviously a small folding non-automatic pocket knife in your pocket (you're not on your way to your job in the USA where you need a 4" thumb-stud Spyderco Clipit, and you already know that).   They understand about hunting and filleting fish, they do a lot of that in Canada.   Just don't 'push it' to make a point; you're on their turf - and you'll be fine."

That would cover it.

Lannis

[Bill Owens]

From personal experience.  No mace intended for use against humans. The stuff intended for protection against dogs and such O.K.

[Thunderbutt]

On  our trip to Nova Scotia last year we were asked by both U S and Canadian Customs if we were carrying any  guns, knives or chemical weapons.  If you know the laws where you are going why should this even be an issue?  Don't do it! Why take a chance on ending up in jail and having your bike impounded.  If you feel the need to have a knife for camping just buy one at a local store when you arrive in Canada and donate it to a local when you're headed back.
With up to twelve guys traveling in your group better make it perfectly clear the only drugs had better be prescription and in the appropriately marked container as we saw drug dogs walking with the agents. For clarification on the knives just call Canadian Customs.

[pyoungbl]

I do not understand the 'crossing the boarder' multiple times.  Seems to me you cross into Canada once, meander around, cross back into the USA.  Easy.  Last June I did a similar trip.  We wanted to ride around Cape Brenton, visit Halifax, and basically see some of the countryside.  If we could fit in Prince Edward Island, so much the better.  My riding buddy is a small animal vet and had a connection with the vet school on PEI.  As we looked at the map it seemed logical to go as far north in Maine before we crossed over into Canada.  As an aside, looked at taking a ferry from Portland...too expensive and also entailed dealing with the Portland traffic.  We ended up crossing at Van Buren, Maine.  The crossing was a snap.  It was raining cats and dogs so the boarder agents let us hang out for about 30 minutes under an awning until the worst passed.  Nice folks. 
We rode across New Brunswick in order to get to the bridge over to PEI.  Lots of forest land, not much else of note.  I guess we could have done some sightseeing but the rain seemed to be dogging us all the way.  The bridge to PEI is LONG, something like 5 miles.  We only spent one night on PEI but I think you could ride around the whole island in a day.  Charlottetown is neat, great oysters!
 I'd love to go back and spend more time there.  There is a ferry from PEI to Nova Scotia.  That ferry drops you off in Pictou.  We did the ferry ride, rode around Cape Breton (count clockwise) and spent the night in Inverness.  We probably could have made it back to Pictou but found an inexpensive motel near a seafood restaurant.  The next day we left in the rain (which turned into a virtual flood) and rode to Halifax.  Lodging was expensive but worth it after a day of wet riding.  Downtown Halifax is well worth the visit.  Try the rum distillary near the docks.
  After Halifax we rode south to catch the ferry in Digby that runs over to St. John, New Brunswick.  That ferry is not super expensive compared to the one going to Portland.  We came back into the US at Vanceboro.  Once again, easy to cross.  I think the US guys were bored and happy to talk to someone.  Thus, we only crossed twice.
 Some thoughts:  carry a credit card (or two), not debit.  As soon as you cross into Canada buy some Canadian money so you have WAM (Walking Around Money).  I found that $200 did the trick.  Don't count on using your cell phone unless you have made arrangements with your phone company.  You might be shocked at the roaming charges.  Use WiFi as much as possible so you are not fighting the roaming charges. 

Make sure everyone in your party has passports and that they are valid, not about to expire.  Also, nobody has ever had a DUI.  That's a felony in Canada and will keep you from entering.

Peter Y.

[jumpmaster]

I do not understand the 'crossing the boarder' multiple times.   
Peter Y.

I didn't design the route for the group.  The original route had 2 ferries, but it turns out that one of them won't be running until late June - too late for us.  That means some extra backtracking, etc.  In addition, my passenger & I will probably break away from the group at least a couple of times to visit places they aren't planning to go to - I haven't planned these breaks yet, but they might involve an additional couple of border crossings.

[timonbik]

June can be rainy on the east coast so be prepared and expect wet weather.  I was there for 2 weeks a number of years ago during the lat week of June/first week of July.  Cold and rainy for most of it.
As someone said convert some US money to Cdn for spending.  Suggest doing this at a Cdn bank to optimize  your rate of exchange.  Most local vendors, retailers will take US but at a much reduced rate.   When out spending money in Canada there is a substantial tax (HST)added to almost everything but also remember that our Canuck buck is worth about 30% less so enjoy the savings.
Cheers, Tim

[Tom]

Any non-whites in your group?  Have them cross last in either direction.  They'll take the longest to get the okay.  Anyone with a past DUI/DWI?  Put them in the back of the pack too.  They might not be allowed into Canada.  Passport or no passport.   

[rodekyll]

Any non-whites in your group?  Have them cross last in either direction.  They'll take the longest to get the okay.  Anyone with a past DUI/DWI?  Put them in the back of the pack too.  They might not be allowed into Canada.  Passport or no passport.   

Saaaaaay   WHAAAAAT?

[Tom]

Yeah.....what can I say.    I go last.  Actually I don't go to Canada anymore.  Going in both directions not an easy crossing.