Student moving back to Canada - renting a vehicle?

[aroddick]

A quick question that seems to have a wide variety of answers on the boards here. I am a Canadian citizen who has lived in the US for 7 years on a student visa, and am now finishing up my PhD in California. I have just been offered a 1 year position in Victoria. I am trying to figure out how to move my possessions up with me across the border - I have two bikes, but no car. Is UHAUL truly my only option. It is awfully expensive, and I could probably move in a small van rather than a moving truck, but the posts on these forums seems to suggest that is my only option.
Thanks for any feedback!

[MC]

Evidently, it is true. You are at the mercy of UHaul,

Also keep in mind it is illegal to drive a U.S. plated rental car into Canada seeing how you have no car. The car rental company should never let that happen but if they ever did, Canada Customs would probably stop you dead in your tracks at the border.

[aroddick]

Hmmm. I called Border Information services yesterday and spoke with a representative who had no problem with me crossing in a rental vehicle. This is my confusion - many on these boards say that you can't cross in a rental vehicle. Some say you can - that it is the discretion of the rental agency. Are you saying that I can with UHAUL, but I may have trouble at the border anyways?
Sorry if I am missing something...very mixed messages on the interwebs!
Thanks for your feedback...

[MC]

I think it would also be at the discretion of both American and Canadian Immigration officials as well. I have read my share of immigration blogs over the years (10 years to be exact) and based upon the history of it the answer is "no" but I am not surprised you received a different answer.

I believe UHaul will go through the Canada/U.S. border pretty seamlessly without any hassles. There are some related blogs on here by Steve and Reba that elaborate on the process. Do a related search and check out some of the replies.

[flames9]

On Visajourney.com were lucky to have 1 member that actually works for Canada Customs. The official answer is a cdn citizen CAN"T bring a USA plated car into Canada ,BUT it happenda fair bit as many of the guards don't know the rules or dont care!!

I just returned from a trip to Alaska, and many people rent a car and tour on their own. The car rental places make it known that Canadians, can NOT drive into Canada (BC is only a short drive) as Canada Customs does not allow it!

So can one rent a car/moving van and be successful, maybe, maybe not. 1 thing you learn with Immigration/ going thru customs, its not always clear as mud,lo1, 1 thing works for 1 person, doesnt for the next, all depends on the POE official

[Reba]

You can rent a U-Haul van (if they have them) and drive that across and return it to a U-Haul store in Canada. However, they will be the only rental company that you can cross the border with a rental vehicle.

If you do not yourself own a car and U-Haul doesn't have vans (other than the big moving trucks), try U-Pack. They bring you a container, you load it up, and they move it. I think it costs about the same as U-Haul.

I am not exactly sure that it is a Canadian law that a Canadian cannot drive a US plated car across the border. I think it is rather rental company policy because they want to ensure that they can get their car back. If you rent a car in the US and you're a Canadian citizen, what if you can't cross back to return the car? Same goes for Americans renting a car in Canada and driving across. Rental company won't allow it.

However, if you are a legal permanent resident and rent a car you can drive across AFAIK, because you have authorization to come back basically. Visitors, or those without resident status, don't. U-Haul though because they specialize in one-way rentals, does not share the policy.

[Dremani]

Whoa whoa whoa...Come again? I'm sorry but I've travelled MANY times to Canada with a U.S. rental (With NY plates) through the Peace Bridge and I've never had a problem with CBP officials. I've actually crossed last year with a few items I originally moved to Florida with back to Canada. There were no problems. The only thing they asked if I was crossing with gifts and large amounts of money. Where is this info coming from? I'm not disputing these answers are wrong but I'd like to know why you wouldn't be able to cross with a U.S. rental? Anyway, my advice would be to hire a moving company to ship your things back to Canada or get someone you may know with a van or truck to drive to the U.S. and help you bring your things back with you.

[aroddick]

Thanks all. And yes, this is why I am confused. Everyone seems to have different stories. But I believe my best bet is to leapfrog my way up in a rental van. I think I have a friend in Portland who may be able to help out for a weekend...so if I drive up in one rental to Portland, then trade into a another van that he rents. He would be able to move me across, then bring the van back without any problems? Any one happen to know rental agencies that have no problem with an American crossing into Canada and back again?
Thanks for all your comment!