Traveling from the USA to Canada

[ID diver]

Hello,
I want to drive from the Washington area to British Columbia and bring my own cylinders. I have checked the archives for other posts on this topic but was only able to find topics several years old or older. Has anyone crossed the border from the USA to Canada and back with their own cylinders? Is it a problem? I don't want to have to take my cylinders apart to show they only contain air.

Thank you for your help.

 

[sprange]

I've done the reverse -MANY- times and have never had a problem. That said, BC Ferries seems to have an issue with cylinders marked 'nitrox', so if you're coming over to the island keep that in mind.

 

[vjanelle]

If they don't have Transport Canada stamps on them you might have an issue filling them. Supposedly.

If you can, take the valves out and plug them with plastic screw caps.

 

[Diver Lori]

I've gone back and forth to Tobermory, Ontario without any issues.

 

[sprange]

If they don't have Transport Canada stamps on them you might have an issue filling them. Supposedly.

If you can, take the valves out and plug them with plastic screw caps.

I think taking the valves off is overkill and hopefully it won't come down to that in the future. When I lived in Ontario I'd occasionally buy equipment in Detroit. One such visit yielded two faber LP85s. I was out of room in my car so I put them on the front seat, strapped in with the seatbelt. I sure got some strange looks from the customs agent.

 

[James Bond boat entry]

I've driven across the BC/US border a few times with tanks, no questions asked, just be honest with Canada Customs and tell them "you are bringing in personal gear to do some scuba diving" and nothing more.

If you are planning travel on BC Ferries give this a read -> BC Ferries - British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. - Experience the Difference

The UN number for compressed air is 1002 ->List of UN numbers 1001 to 1100 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I've driven on with scuba tanks, not a problem as we were loaded first which means first off when you dock.

Bon voyage!!!

 

[Web Monkey]

Hello,
I want to drive from the Washington area to British Columbia and bring my own cylinders. I have checked the archives for other posts on this topic but was only able to find topics several years old or older. Has anyone crossed the border from the USA to Canada and back with their own cylinders? Is it a problem? I don't want to have to take my cylinders apart to show they only contain air.

I go probably a half dozen times each summer and have never had any problems with anything in either direction.

Legally, there's no problem I'm aware of bringing in SCUBA cylinders, however customs on either side can certainly demand to look inside if they feel like it.

Terry

 

[cooldives]

Many people have no problem - some do get stopped. Officially, the BC Ferries policy can be found here...Ferry Travel To Best Dive Sites

Have a great time diving in BC!

 

[mikediveguy]

you may want to stop and get a customs form that says you already own them when you cross over the first time...so they dont try to charge you import duty to get back home! as a Canadian I have all my gear, by serial number , listed on the canadian customs 'green card'[ not a work visa green card lol] to avoid hassel on the way back into canada. dont have to worry about "did yo buy this over border? prove it!" other than that they have the right to ask to see inside, but have never heard of it happening.

 

[ID diver]

Thank you for all the information.