Downie Street South
Stratford, Ontario, Canada

Phone: 519-271-6376
Fax: 519-271-0682
E-mail: info@swanmotel.ca

Information for U.S. Visitors to Ontario

As of June 01, 2009 only valid passports and Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant documents are acceptable for entering the U.S. - both for Canadians and returning U.S. residents. View the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Fact Sheet.

U.S. citizens returning to the United States entering at sea or land ports of entry are required to have documents that comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), such as:

• a U.S. passport or passport card
• a trusted traveler card such as NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST
• an enhanced driver's license.

View a list of valid travel documents approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

For additional information on exceptions to the standard requirements as well as duty-free limits, please refer to:

• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) www.cbsa.gc.ca
• OntarioTravel.net
• U.S. State Department Tips for Travelers to Canada www.travel.state.gov/travel/
  

Driving in Ontario

When driving in Ontario U.S. travelers need to be aware that posted speed limits are in kilometers per hour. Here is an approximate conversion chart of commonly posted speed limits:

Be aware also of the following regulations:

• Radar detectors are illegal in Ontario.
• Seat belt use is mandatory in Ontario. 

See also the Ontario Ministry of Transport website for additional maps and highway information, including road conditions and highway closures due to construction.

What You Should Know About Ontario's Taxes

Ontario has an 8% Provincial Sales Tax (PST), a 5% federal value-added General Services Tax (GST), special taxes on food and liquor in restaurants, and a room tax on visitor accommodation.

As a visitor you will be charged:

• GST -- the federal Goods and Services Tax of 5%. This is a value-added consumption tax that applies to most goods, purchased gifts, food/beverages, and services, including most hotel and motel accommodation.
• PST -- the Ontario provincial sales tax of 8% on any goods you buy, but not on services or accommodation.
• Room Tax -- a 5% provincial tax (in place of PST) on most tourist accommodation charges, as well as the 5% GST.
• Food Service -- In restaurants, 5% GST and 8% PST will be added to the food portion of your final bill, as well as . . .
• Liquor Service -- a provincial tax on alcoholic beverages (10%, in addition to the 5% GST).
• Special Note: Rented houseboats do not qualify as rental accommodations for purposes of the taxes mentioned above. Houseboat rental fees are taxed at a rate of 8% (PST) and 5% (GST), both non-refundable.