Society for College and University Planning

Hard Choices . . . Smart Planning
The thirty-ninth annual, international conference and expo of the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP)—higher education's premier planning conference in 2004!

Tips for Registrants

The Society for College and University Planning is excited that you will be attending SCUP-39 in Toronto!

We would like to provide you with information to help you in your planning and travel. You may wish to print this page out and keep it handy.

• Customs and Entry
• Bringing your laptop and/or camera
• Duty Free Allowance
• Currency
• Tipping
• Tax Rebates
• Safety and Medical Tips

Customs and Entry into Canada

Visitors entering Canada must clear customs border security upon entry. For visitors traveling by road, Toronto’s nearest Canada-U.S. border crossings are at Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, and Windsor.

• U.S.-born citizens should carry a passport or a birth certificate plus photo I.D.
• The birth certificate must be government issued, certificates from hospitals are not accepted.
• Contact the Vital Records (or comparable office) of the state in which you were born to find out how you may obtain your official birth certificate.
• Voter Registration cards are no longer accepted as a secondary piece of identification.
• Naturalized citizens require naturalization certificates with photo I.D.
• Permanent residents (who are not citizens) require an alien-registration card.

For information on applying for a U.S. passport please visit the U.S. Department of State: http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html. Applying for a passport can take up to six weeks. The Department of State does have an expedited process which reduces the time to two weeks. Passports are highly recommended and will save time at the border.

Driving to Toronto?
Canada is in the metric system so kilometers are used instead of miles. Distance and speed limits are posted in kilometers per hour and are generally lower than in the U. S. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in cities is 50km/hr (approximately 30 mph) and on highways 80km/hr (approximately 50 mph). Automobile radar detectors are prohibited in Ontario and Quebec.

Returning to the United States
Every 30 days, returning U.S. citizens are allowed to bring back $400 CAN, or about $290US (retail value) in merchandise duty-free, provided they have been out of the U.S. for 48 hours. This amount can include:

 
• one carton of cigarettes
• 100 cigars (not Cuban)
• two kilograms of smoking tobacco
• one litre of liquor, provided the buyer is 21 years of age

 
• Cuban or Iranian products
• fruits and vegetables
• uncooked grains

Goods bought in Canada but manufactured in the U.S. are duty-free and not included in the basic exemption. Original handmade crafts and works of art are also exempt; however, a receipt of purchase may be required.

Returning to Other Countries
Before leaving home, visitors from other countries should check the customs regulations of their country by contacting the appropriate government department.

Bringing your Laptop, Camera and other electronic equipment
For attendees from the U.S.: According to the US Customs and Border Protection agency it is necessary to register any valuable electronic equipment items (i.e., laptop computer, camera, etc.) you may be taking with you. Items will be registered by a customs officer at Port(s) of Entry (whether flying, driving, or taking the train....) for any electronic equipment items, i.e., laptop computer, camera, etc. you may be taking with you. In order to expedite the process, the relevant registration form, form 4455, can be downloaded and filled out ahead of time. Use this form to list all valuable electronic items.

Registering your electronic valuables acts as proof that they were purchased in the United States rather than in Canada, and are therefore not subjet to any duties. Electronics are basically the only things that can be subject to duties. Technically you don't have to register anything, but you run the risk of having to prove you purchased your electronics prior to entering Canada.

Currency + Tax
More Bang for Your Buck
Toronto offers visitors world-class products without battling world-class prices. For international visitors, the favorable rate of exchange means your dollar goes a long way. For example, the U.S. dollar goes 30% further or more with every purchase!

• Toronto’s currency is the Canadian dollar
• For denominations under five dollars, Canadian currency uses coins, including the ‘Loonie’ (one dollar coin) and ‘Two-nie’ (two dollar coin)
• U.S. dollars are accepted everywhere in Toronto, although change from your transactions will be given in Canadian currency and exchange rates will differ with each merchant.
• You’ll find cash machines/ATM's in most banks, hotels and shopping malls – cash is dispensed in Canadian currency.
• Traveler’s cheques and credit cards are accepted at most (but not all) major retailers.
• Currency exchange is available at banks and kiosks throughout the city, as well as in the airport.

Tipping
If you’re happy with the service you receive, a 15% tip on the pre-tax bill is a standard expression of appreciation when dining out in the city. Note that some restaurants automatically add this gratuity when serving large groups, so be sure to check your bill to avoid overspending!

Tips are also expected for services such as shoe-shines and taxi rides-15% is standard in these situations as well.

Taxes
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a 7% tax that is charged on most goods and services sold or provided in Canada. As Toronto is part of the Province of Ontario, purchases made in Toronto are also subject to the 8% Provincial Sales Tax (PST).

Tax Rebates
The good news is foreign visitors to Canada can apply for a rebate on the GST that is paid on accommodations (up to 30 nights per visit) and goods purchased in Canada and exported within 60 days of the purchase. Be sure to keep your receipts – you’ll need to have them validated by Canada customs at the airport or border crossing when you leave.

You may visit one of the participating duty-free shops at land border crossings to get a cash refund for eligible claims that do not exceed $500.00 CAN. If you leave by plane from Pearson (Toronto) airport you may go to the information counter at the Canada customs office prior to check-in with your airline. Follow the Canada Customs signs, or signs that read: “Tax Refund for Visitors to Canada.” Your eligible goods and original receipts must be available for inspection. A Canadian customs official will stamp your original receipts and you may then claim your refund.

SCUP will have rebate forms available for you at the registration desk.

Safety and Medical Tips
Toronto is one of the safest cities in the world, and the safest large city in North America. It has earned its reputation as a clean, peaceful city thanks in large part to the professionalism and dedication of the city’s emergency service agencies and personnel.

• Toronto’s universal emergency number is 9-1-1. Use it for police, fire and medical emergencies.
• Toronto Police Services has over 5,000 uniformed officers on patrol in the city and can be reached at 416.808.2222.
• Toronto boasts the largest municipal Emergency Medical Service in Canada, with 850 paramedics based in 41 stations across Toronto.

Medical Tips

• If you’re taking medicine prescribed by your doctor, bring an adequate supply and carry it in its original, labeled container.
• Visitors are strongly urged to obtain health insurance before leaving their home province or country, OR
• Check with your insurance agent to determine whether coverage extends outside your country of residence.

In addition to what is included here, other valuable resources are:
http://www.torontotourism.com
http://www.canada.gc.ca/
http://www.canadianembassy.org/