Canadian Border

After many years of hauling our trailer across the border in both directions it has become fairly routine. The more common questions that we have come to expect are:

- where are you from?
- what is your citizenship?
- what will you be leaving in the U.S.?
- any perishables on board? (we lost beef and citrus products on two occasions)
- any alcohol or tobacco products?
- any firearms?
- any firewood?
- what is your destination?
- how long will you be in the U.S.?
- value of your purchased in the U.S. (when returning home to Canada)

There have been a few "one off" questions:

- paperwork in order for your dog? (have never been asked to actually produce it)
- do you have any fresh flowers on board? (we had made the officer aware that we had been to a funeral)
- why are you crossing at this point? (a shorter alternative was available)
- do you own the trailer? (we weren't asked to produce the ownership)

We have never been subject to a major search but we have been delayed for:

- more detailed questioning about perishable food products (found out that once a can of beef soup is opened it becomes a perishable food product)
- walk through of the trailer (opened fridge and pantry cupboards several times)
- complete trailer scan through some kind of large machine (kinda neat)

I should point out that we have not had any additional delays in a number of years - the trailer scanning seemed to be clearly post 9/11 and has been relaxed in recent years - we've gotten smarter with the foodstuff and try very hard to not cross with any perishables at all (then do a shopping on the other side).

Finally - just a feeling that may be dead wrong - but I think that over time you establish a bit of a "good guy" record (or not) - the crossing guards obviously have a ton of information on you - and information on every crossing you have made previously - if each becomes a repeat of the last then you're just another boring RV'er - but if you screwed up once - well - I think their memory is long and I don't think they are very forgiving ..... part of why I am saying this is the story of an old friend of ours - he tried to hide a purchase many, many years ago - and is still pretty much guaranteed a lot of extra attention every time he crosses.

Crossing is really not a big deal if you don't have anything to hide.


Jay

I would add a link to your post (not just to this thread) in the Mexico and South America thread.

With passports, visa, registrations and insurance that should cover everything provided you otherwise meet all the border crossing guide lines. Might be a good idea to have a list of everything you're carrying.

Perhaps call the border agencies in all three countries.

qtla9111 wrote:
.....
Any advice? Should I start a new thread?

Let's see how many replies you get here first.

... Eric (Moderator)

We are planning a five month trip around the U.S. and Canada. One Mexican, one American and an SUV and TT with Mexican plates. We have sent in the visa for the Mexican but I am wondering what issues we will have seeing that I am an American citizen but a permanent Mexican resident. We each have title to one of the vehicles. In Mexico it is only one name per title.

Any advice? Should I start a new thread?

We crossed at Sumas last summer with a shotgun with all papers. We were asked to come inside for a brief interview and then the guard asked to look inside the MH. I stood outside holding my small dog and watched him peer into the fridge and then sit on the couch and thumb thru an Alaska magazine. He then cane out and said we were good to go. He never looked at my shotgun or ammo. All and all a very easy experience.

garyhaupt wrote:

A note please about those that preach NO CHIT CHAT...be yourself, because doing otherwise makes you all weird and jittery. They aren't going to drag you out of your vehicle for being nice. I am not suggesting you do a full-on diatribe about the news of the day, but trying to be something other than 'normal' sets off as many alarms as sweating and being evasive.


Gary Haupt

Wondering when some common sense would show up regarding this issue? I certainly don't approach with a clown nose and balloon animals, but I have no interest in calling anybody sir or ma'am, and I don't act like we are shooting a Nazi interrogation movie.

As a result, I have had some fun and interesting exchanges. One time a very pleasant agent handed out Maple leaf lapel pins to us and wished us a "Happy Canada Day!". Several times, agents spent a moment fussing over our "cute" dogs. or handing them treats. In Calais Maine, I crossed at a place that was pretty much a back door used by locals. The agent was shocked and asked how I got there? I told him I just followed a little sign in town, is something wrong? He said, "not yet, but you are heading into a little town with no info. about getting to the highway and back on track" He then spent a few minutes telling me what side streets to take to get where I needed to be. At Stewart BC, I had a serious conversation about hostile behavior we encountered at two remote native villages. The agent was a first nation's local and very candid about the issues. We were even treated quite well when we got picked for a random search. The agents were training a newbee on how to search an RV. They found us a nice waiting area, in view of our rig, and many of the agents stopped to pet our Golden, as they passed us.

Doesn't mean that every interaction is pleasant, or trouble free. At a rural crossing in Wa. the Canadian agent was a young kid who was very aggressive and unprofessional. He had tattoo sleeves all the way down his arms and had the demeanor of a street punk. In another situation an American Guard at Border City/ Beaver Creek was a female who was downright nasty. She pretty much growled the whole time, and found some imaginary flaw with the veterinary paperwork. She then had to tell us that she had the power to turn us back, but was going to let it go. She was really an embarrassment to the agency. That said, groveling with fake "yes, ma'ams" wasn't going to help the situation.

My situation is a little different than most on here as I cross the border as a commercial vehicle. I am a Canadian citizen. In 2013 I crossed around 60 times at 9 different crossings. Alyways have you passport and paperwork (for the trailer i'm importing) ready, sounds silly but I never wear sunglasses or a hat. I always have my window down when I pull up to the booth with passport in hand. Never pass them your passport until they ask for it. While they are checking my documentation I keep my body pointed out the window with my hands where they can see them. Answer all questions politely with yes / no. The Canadian side has xrayed my truck 3 0r 4 times. The USA have xrayed me once and given me a complete vehicle search once.
98% of my crossings are problem free and under 30 seconds.

For us going to Canada normally means travelling to Vancouver, BC for the day. Back in the day this was a fun outing.

Since 9/11 things have changed. Our usual experience now is that during the border crossing experience on I-5 at Sumas heading north the Canadian agents are generally professional and cordial, while heading south the American agents can be arrogant and even downright surly.

As stated previously have your passports ready, hand them to the agent, answer his questions correctly without imbellishments and hopefully you will be on your quickly, especially when heading back into the states. One time I did not hand our passports to the U.S. agent quickly enough and that did not make his day. He was not happy. I was relieved when he finally waved me "on" rather than waving me "over".

Crossing from B.C. into Washington State we were pulled aside for a search. They confiscated my California oranges purchased on Vancouver Island. But left the grapefruit, bananas, apples, tomatoes, etc.

One of our recent trips into Alaska on the AK Hwy, they made me peel my oranges. They kept the orange peel and I kept the oranges for lunch that day. Border agent told me it was some bug in the peels that was the issue and they would have to incinerate the peels.

Last trip to Haines AK, we declared the oranges when asked about citrus. I must have had the look one has when they're kicking themselves 'cause the border agent laughed at me.
He chuckled, "You knew oranges weren't allowed, right?".
"Yup, I replied. "I knew. But I didn't think of the oranges when we decided to head all the way to Haines."
He laughed again, asked me if I planned to eat the oranges in Alaska. I told him no, not if I could keep them. He told me if we peeled and ate them in Alaska then I needed to take the peels with me back to Yukon. I told him that was a deal. Next day we ate the oranges back in Yukon.

Another US border agent at the crossing into Alaska on the AK Hwy chatted us up about DH's Moose Drool t-shirt, purchased in Oregon years ago. Said he missed that beer. While he chatted us up, the other agent walked around the RV with his hand on his holster.

One trip from Dawson City, over the Top of the World, then to Beaver Creek, we were asked if we had purchased anything while in Alaska. Anything at all? Nope. Not even a t-shirt in Chicken, he asked. Nope. Already had one, we told him, see? DH is wearing it. But this trip we didn't even stop for fuel, we added. And we were waved on.

Never have had what I'd call a problem. Just some interesting conversations and experiences.

CA Traveler...no, the CBSA agent isn't going to be doing a motor vehicle inspection. If there is a concern, they'd just call the local cops for a stop/check.

A note please about those that preach NO CHIT CHAT...be yourself, because doing otherwise makes you all weird and jittery. They aren't going to drag you out of your vehicle for being nice. I am not suggesting you do a full-on diatribe about the news of the day, but trying to be something other than 'normal' sets off as many alarms as sweating and being evasive.


Gary Haupt