Moving to Alaska

[Ishisube]

One tip is they want an address where you'll be staying in Canada. Well we didn't have one and it caused a stir. Apparently just pick a place and put that address in. That's what the grouchy lady told us at the border.

I've had to go through that grief, and the rest of their 'we know you're a criminal' interrogation mentality. You're right though, look ahead and just tell them the names of some properly spaced motels along the way just to get them off that subject.

 

[Ishisube]

Update on this: according to the agent I talked to today, the ferry is not traveling to Whittier this year. The closest port is Haines -which takes the appeal of the ferry away entirely.

The ferry is a wonderful experience in itself and you've got the option of starting either from Bellingham, or starting up into Canada and boarding at Prince Rupert for a good view of southeast. I never get tired of that trip and Eldred Rock Lighthouse between Juneau and Haines is everyone's favorite.

 

[Ishisube]

Another idea that’s probably already been mentioned. Buy a trailer drive up with whatever fits. Ship anything that’s prohibited in Canada. Sell the trailer when you get here. You could probably sell the trailer for a profit. The roads through Canada aren’t nearly as bad as the roads in Alaska.

Trailers always sell well in Alaska and that's how most of them arrive. Roads in Alaska aren't bad as long as you stay off of Goldstream and Farmers Loop!

 

[Carr5vols]

Carson just sale all bigitems, furniture and vehicles, ship the few things up you all want. Then buy new everything. May be money ahead...

 

[kwackkillncrew]

When we drove from Haines to south central getting into canada was easy. The usa patrol was a dik to get back in.

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

 

[HoneyDew]

Did this trip last year in early May so I’ll share my experience maybe it’s informational. My fiancée sold her sedan and I bought a 7x14’ enclosed trailer. Packed our stuff that we wanted to keep until I hit the towing limits of my Tahoe. She stayed behind with my firearms, ammo, and the dog. I drove and the border experience was both smooth and rough. It was during COVID but I think it really comes down to the border agent you’re dealing with. The first one immediately gave me a bad time. Even though I had spent months trying to figure out the information so I could do everything correctly he didn’t like my answers. Told him my guns and dog were with her. Wanted to FaceTime her so she could show him that what I said was true. The COVID rules didn’t help. Ultimately turned me away saying I had arrived too late to start my first day and that I’d have to come back in the morning. Slept in my truck and tried again the next morning new guy let me through without issue.

Beautiful drive but it was a grind to make it in the 3 night schedule I had to provide the border agent. Brought 10 gallons of extra gas, spare for my vehicle and the trailer, chains, tools, plug kit, compressor etc but luckily never needed any of it. Hit a spring snow storm outside Whitehorse and it got a little dicey wasn’t sure I’d make it without getting stuck. Probably 4” when I started in the morning and 12” at the worst part of it. Multiple cars and pickups did but I just did the whole 4x4 slow and steady with lots of space.

Made it on schedule. Dropped the trailer and vehicle and flew back to grab the lady, dog, and firearms. Turned around and flew all that back. Needed a second round trip to get the remaining ammo up on Alaska airlines. But I had to go back and forth a couple times for work so used one of those to max the baggage out.

My take away is it’s a doable and beautiful drive. But I will never try to cross with a living animal or anything firearm related. Like all people in positions of authority some of the agents just like making things more complicated than they need to be. Can’t help you on taxidermy or if you have significantly more stuff than we did (didn’t bring much furniture just best pieces and TV etc). Just my recent experience hopefully it’s helpful. Feel free to PM if you have specific questions.

 

[Ishisube]

When we drove from Haines to south central getting into canada was easy. The usa patrol was a dik to get back in.

Crossing the borders are a roll of the dice every time and I've been given an endless hassle by both sides, only to be let right through by both at different times, but my worst experiences ever have been at the hands of the Canadians. Blaine, Beaver Creek, Prince Rupert being the only ones who have ever held me there for hours. Not fun, but always feels worth it once you can get back to driving again.

 

[HuntInWild88]

Just moved up here in August. All of my mounts were crated and shipped. The company didn't need any specific paperwork.

Ammo- it is 50k to transfer through canada but the vehicle that contains the ammo has to be "supervised/secure" at all times. It's 5k to import. There's a huge difference there's.

I've heard of people having issues with certain ammo. There's a list of prohibited ammo. (Armor piercing/tracers) I know are on the list.

I did not declare my ammo as it's not a prohibited item and zero issues.
I've heard horror stories of people telling the guard they had ammo and getting all of there stuff torn through to find the firearm even though they provided shipping documents for the firearms.
If you take firearms just make sure you have your documents before you get to the boarder.(un-signed) you have to certify the documents with the border patrol.

I didn't take the ferry because I have dogs. The dogs have to stay in the vehicle the whole time. They only allow you to go down to the vehicles to let them out and feed them every 8 hours. The vehicle bays are heated or Airconditioned. Just a heads up on the ferry..also you typically need to book your tickets 6 months in advance and this year they are down 2 ferries. The only one making the trip drops you off in in Haines leaving you to still have to drive through Canada..

 

[Bbddalton]

I flew from Florida to Fairbanks with 10 firearms in various pelican cases with 50lbs of ammo and now one batted an eye.