IMPORTANT NOTE FOR AMERICAN VISITORS: Due to new changes in border policy, called the WHTI, or the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, visitors from the United States should be aware that U.S. Customs no longer accepts oral declarations of citizenship. On-land and sea crossings require proof of citizenship. A government-issued photo ID (driver's license) and a birth certificate is acceptable, but a passport is highly recommended.

Read the latest: http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm.

Electricity
Outlets and voltage (110 volts) are the same as in the United States. Small appliances such as hair dryers, irons, razors, etc. can be used in Canada.  For visitors from other countries, adapters are required for electrical appliances. The frequency of electrical current in Canada is 60 Hz.

Time Zones
Rossland, British Columbia is in the Pacific Standard Time Zone. The same as Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Languages
English and French are Canada's two official languages. English is the predominant language in British Columbia.

Money & Banking
Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The Nelson and District Credit Union has an automatic teller machines (ATM) which is accessible 24 hours a day. ATMs accept Cirrus, Plus and Interac and can also be found at:

• Nowhere Special

• Ferraros

• Red Mountain

Credit Cards
Credit Card use is widespread. Visa, Mastercard, American Express are accepted in nearly all shops, restaurants and hotels. Check with the vendor if you are unsure.

Currency Exchanges
The Nelson and District Credit Union in Rossland can exchange currency.

Tipping
Tipping is standard practice. The standard minimum tip is 15 per cent. Tips are also given to taxi drivers, hairdressers, bartenders, spa therapists, hotel attendants and bellhops.

Taxes
Provincial Sales Tax (PST)

The province of British Columbia adds a sales tax of 7 per cent to goods sold in BC. Visitors to British Columbia are not able to claim a refund.

Goods & Services Tax (GST)

The 6 (5 percent in 2008) per cent Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) is an additional tax applicable to most goods and services purchased in Canada, regardless of whether the buyer is a resident of or visitor to Canada. As a visitor to Canada you can get a refund on the GST you pay if:

• You are not a resident of Canada when you apply for a refund

• While in Canada, you bought eligible goods for your personal use, and/or you paid for eligible short-term accommodation (e.g., hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, hostels, and camping) and you paid GST on the items

• You have the original receipts that list each item you bought (photocopies, debit or credit card slips are not acceptable)

• Each receipt with eligible goods must have a total purchase amount (before taxes are added) of at least $50 CAN (without rounding)

• The total of all of your receipts on eligible goods and eligible short-term accommodation (before taxes are added) must be at least $200 CAN

• The eligible goods you bought are removed or exported from Canada within 60 days of the date they were delivered to you

• You can pick up a GST rebate form at TourismRossland's Visitor Information Centre.

For more information go to the Canada Revenue Agency website.