Oxygen in our car at the border
 

I am oxygen dependent and my husbnd and I plan on crossing the border from Seattle to Vancouver.Will we have any problems (either way) at the border? We will have a number of portable oxygen tanks in our car.

Thanks for any advice.

I phoned Canada Border Services Agency (which was a toll free call for me).

The woman who answered the phone said that you must carry with you a list of all of your tanks' serial numbers.

In addition to that, you need to have with you a letter from your physician stating that you require oxygen for medical reasons.

If you have those documents you apparently will not have a problem entering Canada with oxygen tanks.

I don't know what's involved in returning from Canada to the United States with oxygen tanks.

Here's the website for U.S. Customs and Border Protection:

http://cbp.customs.gov/

I am not oxygen dependent, but just based on my experience with border crossings, you can expect a far more difficult time with American officials.
I think you may well need the information that Judy describes more on your re-entry into the USA than when you enter Canada.

If you are driving a rental car, make sure you have in writing from the rental car company that you have permission to cross the border.

I have never had a problem with the Canadian officials, but I have endured the 3rd degree treatment from American border officials on three separate occasions at both highway and airport re-entry points.

Also, I have found that having your passport makes life easier, sometimes. It has been two years since I last crossed from the US into Canada by car, but at no time in the past have the Canadian officials been anything other than professional and polite to me.

Let's not go into my experiences with the American border people because the discussion will elevate my blood pressure. But on one occasion I knew I was in for a protracted discussion when the guy in the booth looked at my passport and then said "What's your name?"

<<But on one occasion I knew I was in for a protracted discussion when the guy in the booth looked at my passport and then said "What's your name?"
/>>

Bob. That is too funny.
It makes me wonder what my cooworker Will White will face next month when he takes family to Disney.

My personal best is heading south on my motorbike, being asked if I was carrying guns or drugs. On the way back north I was asked if I was carrying any apples.