[pct-l] Canadians

[Perry Chamberlain]

 As a fellow canadian, who lives in the states now, here are two peices of advice
1)
I have shipped hundreds of items back and forth across the border to my family, unless the items are on the restricted list (guns, fruit, vegetables, plants and animal products, etc, you will not have any duties or taxes, coming into the USA.(californi has a very strict law against importing fruit, vegetables, plants, and animal products.
They actually have road blocks/ check stations (looks like a truck scale) coming into California, on all the major highways. There are also lots of immagration stop checks when you get closer to san diego, and the mexican border.
On the other hand, stuff going back into canada always  have duties &  taxes in excess of the value of the item, and canadian customs never miss a package, regardless of size or value.
2) 
Emergency medical care here is VERY VERY EXPENSIVE.
Unlike Canada, a visit to the emergency room in the USA, can set you back in excess of $10,000 bucks.
You will be charged excessivly for everything, then the collection agencies will hunt you down mercilessly.
Buy all the extra insurance you can, many hospitals will make you pay and get reimbursement from your provencial policy.
Often several specialists will tack on huge copays,  and extra charges, above and beyond the hospital charges.
Often into the thousands of dollars.
People here, often lose everything they own, and have been forced into Bankruptcy, after going through a serious medical incident, with out good insurance. And they will and can come after you in Canada.
The countries have great reciprical laws regarding debt collection and going after criminals, who think they can get away with stuff, by hopping across the border.
BUY EXTRA INSURANCE, IT's only a couple of hundred bucks.

Whew.... Thats all.
Canoeman, trail angel, section D Juniper Hills