Forum

Help! Crossing the Border from Canada to US with Artworks - finished and un-finished

Posted by Callie Gray on October 18, 2014 at 12:19pm in Everything Else

Hello all, I hope I can get some advice and help from someone out there with a similar situation. I live in Canada, becoming a snow-bird and heading to Florida in November for 5 months. I have a couple of art shows lined up already and plan on doing a few more. I will be driving across the border with all my paints and supplies, some finished art work, some un-finished artwork and a bunch of blank canvasses ready to paint. We have a car and a small trailer. My tent I will be buying in the US (but bringing back to Canada). I have both Canadian and US passports. What do I need to have?, and to say to customs? I guess I will use my US passport to get into US and Canadian to get back? I will be paying the Florida Sales Tax if I sell anything in Florida.....Help anyone.  Thanks

You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!

Join Art Fair Insiders

Tags: Artworks, Border, Canada, Crossing, Customs, US, snowbird
★
★
★
★
★
Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Connie Mettler October 19, 2014 at 6:46pm

    Here is another recent discussion about crossing the border with some helpful advice: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/crossing-the-border-and...

  • Marie-Helene Grabman October 18, 2014 at 10:18pm
    I just traveled from a Michigan show, through Canada, to upstate NY. I read on the custom's website, to have a complete inventory of my work and prices. I had thumbnail pics on the list, along with a line item of tent, display, and panels. At the Port Huron, MI bridge, crossing into Canada, my husband explained we were crossing through to New York, Lewiston Bridge, gave our passports, and said I had my artwork with us. Custom agent did not ask to see the list. In Lewiston, explained we were taking this shortcut to the US agent, same story. Was not asked to see my list, but he asked us to roll down the back window of our minivan to look in. Also...this was on Sept. 11! Realized this date earlier that day and was hoping we would not have a problem, and we did not. Hope your travel will be as easy.
  • Jacki Bilsborrow October 18, 2014 at 2:02pm

    Hello Callie, I grew up not far from Detroit.  We used to travel back and forth to Windsor to visit my aunt and her family.  My dad sold custom made drapery and upholstery for the JL Hudson Co.  He had a truck full of samples to show clients when he made house calls.  He used to take them out of the car every time he crossed the Ambassador Bridge.  He hated having to do that.  So, he stopped at the guard's office on one of his visits and asked for advice.  He got some kind of a pass so he didn't have to take every thing out of the trunk on every visit.  I think you should check with the entry spot that you will be passing through before you enter the States.  I am sure things are a lot tighter now than when we used to cross the border.  However, that may be a good place to start.

This reply was deleted.