Canada-USA Border Crossings With Band

b to g is yummy · #1 07-27-2007, 06:29 AM

Any of you guys have tips/advice/stories on crossing the border with a band...i know sometimes bands get rejected at the border..and if my canadian band ever gets to go to the states i wanna know what works best. thanks.

MikeBass · #2 07-27-2007, 06:39 AM

I've played in Windsor a few time (from Detroit).
Call ahead and get all the information you can about the cutsoms changes (it seems they change weekly).

Have an OVERLY detailed equipment list- serial #'s for everything, how many and the exact description of gear (like cymbals for example).

If you can narrow it down to "there and back times" as well it would be great.
A detailed itinerary is always a nice tool anyway.

Now, this is where it gets sticky, they may inquire how much you're making. Someone in the band will/may have to take a hit for the taxes for the pay.
You may have to apply for a temporary work visa. I never heard it happening, but they CAN require it.

It sounds a lot worse than it is. But don't wait until the week before you're supposed to head over to do this.

If you're playing with another band from the states, find out if you can share their gear, the less you bring, the better.

Good luck!

Dave Martin · #3 07-27-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBass

You may have to apply for a temporary work visa. I never heard it happening, but they CAN require it.

When I played the Winnipeg Folks Festival in the 90's, I had to pay for a work visa. We were flying in, though - that might make a difference (it was also 15 years ago - which would definitely make a difference...).

Roger Pounders · #4 07-27-2007, 01:54 PM

we went.. they didnt ask.. If they had were gonna tell the canuks that we were giving the guy our services as a wedding gift...

on the way back, loaded with freshly bought Canadian priced musical gear... they didnt even look in the car

::::BASSIST:::: · #5 07-30-2007, 12:04 AM

If you're going into the US be prepared for a huge hassle. They will make you pull over and park your vehice and go into the customs office to explain yourselves. They may even make you bring all your gear into their building. They may even require you to have reciepts/invoices of every piece of gear for proof of ownership.

I recently brought a cab into the US to ship it through a US post office. It was too big to ship thru Canada Post and the buyer could only accept USPS. Huge hassle.

Definitely make sure everyone has a birth certificate, or passport or proof of citizenship. As of Jan. 1 2008 all Canadians will require a valid passport to enter the US. That's what they told me last week. Needless to say, I wont be crossing the border again anytime soon. Too much hassle.

!Rob! · #6 07-30-2007, 12:24 AM

Ok here's mine.

We hit the border "Watertown NY" from Canada...they went through the gear truck with a fine toothed comb. No biggie, we had a list of all gear and serial #s etc. We were almost on our way, but they wanted to check the SUV with the guitars and personal gear. Pop goes the trunk and there's my Washburn Bantam B3 "like a steinberger", in a gig bag, which totally resembeled a rifle case. Out comes the bass and they start investigating the truss rod hole at the nut end of this headless bass, after explaining to them exactely what that "hole" was for, they let us cross.

Warning *front row might get shot"

!Rob! · #7 07-30-2007, 12:33 AM

I know we live in a totally different world these days, especially with crossing borders, but here are a few tips I can offer.

- Have a complete list of everything you are bringing, with serial #s and any other proof of ownership you can provide. Have 2 or more copies that you give to the border guards, don't forget additional copies for the way back, and copies for yourselves.

- Have your agent(s) "both sides" contact the border agency and let them know in advance why, when and where you are going.

- Have copies of the venue contract(s) ready as well as all you passports and IDs.

- Don't bring a Steinberger (or similar)

Happy Trails

shooter_mi · #8 07-30-2007, 10:26 AM

Don't neglect the fact that there are different requirements for entry to US versus Canada. We checked with US Border partol before heading to Toronto for NXNE in June, but didn't check with the Canadian side. We got there and learned that we were missing a bunch of documents and such needed by the Canadians. Fortunately, they were cool and we got through in just a 15 mins even though the guitarist didn't even have a birth certificate with him.

rusty66 · #9 08-06-2007, 06:26 AM

You should be arrested for using a washburn bantam B3!

Every time I fly with my bass in its roadcase, they ask me, "is that a firearm"? I never lock the case until its ready to go, just to show them. Its a changed world alright.......

Cheers,

Rusty

FenderP · #10 08-06-2007, 07:53 AM

MikeBass is pretty much spot on. When I was in a Rush tribute band, we did a show in Canada. We needed a letter from the club, and then when we got to the border, we had to pay for our work visas. It's cheaper if the whole band crosses at the same time and you just pay a band fee.

Going to Canada they pretty much let us go because we had a very, very detailed equipment list for everyone. It's definitely the way to go.

You will need a passport.

Don't joke with the border guards, and if you have a smartass in your band, warn him or her accordingly. They're not the most humorous people and you do not want to set off any red flags.

Make the experience as painless as possible for yourself. Being prepared will smooth things and get you in and out much quicker.