Brompton Folder - Entry into Canada
 

I am planning on bringing my Brompton folder to Toronto next month. Am I likely to have any issues crossing the border at the airport? I am not sure what the rules are on possible soil contamination.

I will clean the bike before leaving and only really cycle on the road so unless there is rain on the way to Heathrow, I don't expect the bike to get that dirty.

I am also planning on crossing in to the US at Niagara (again with the bike). I have a valid ESTA but would like to know if any additional documentation (except my passport) may be required to enter the US and re-enter Canada a couple of days later.

Thanks

I can't help you directly about Canada, but I have a Bike Friday folding bike that has been to Europe a dozen times and I've never had a problem on re-entry to the US (or entry in to the UK or Germany).

That being said, I do always clean the bike before packing, remove all obvious dirt. A friend has an S&S coupled mountain bike and he did receive some hassle once as his bike was fairly mud spattered. People's hiking boots probably have more chance of soil contamination that your Brompton's tires :)

ESTA is for air and sea travel only. You will need to pay the land border crossing fee ($6 I think) and do fingerprints / customs when entering the US.

I can't actually find an official time limit for how long you can stay in Canada as a visitor... however in the opposite direction, if you entered the US first and took a side trip to Canada, you would not reset the clock when you reentered the US and would only have 90 days from your first entry.

Thanks :D!, that's interesting. I have a another trip to the US in August, does this mean they will assume I have remained in the US from point of entry in July to point of re-entry in August? Would have thought that they would know when I left the country; I am only planning on staying in US one day.

I am happy to pay a $6 fee to enter, I just want to make sure the visa waiver programme applies to a UK national crossing from Canada to US. I am worried that if I am refused entry due to not having appropriate paperwork that I may have to apply for a visa when I come back in August via JFK.

If you're a UK citizen the US requires a visa on entry and an exit registration when you leave (issued by the country you enter). I was with someone who had to go through this. It takes some time at land borders to get the visa.