Border Crossing Question
Becoming a full-time RVer this spring. I dont plan on crossing the border from Canada to the US often but in the case that I do, I'm just wondering what the typical cross is like for an RVer? Is it qu...
Forum Discussion
We cross the border a LOT year round. We are minutes from the border and is easy for us. We got NEXUS cards 4 or so years ago. Best thing ever. You not only get through waaay faster, because you are pre-screened for security concerns, you don't get harassed. You are held to a higher standard and YOU are expected to be up to date on all the regulations. It's a fairly easy process to get NEXUS and it's also good at airports and cruise ship terminals and can be used at non-NEXUS crossings. Have only been pulled over once (had our TT too) and it was on a random computer generated basis.
A NEXUS card is highly recommended.
Some basic things to know that we've learned: Never volunteer info. and just answer the questions as asked. Maintain eye contact and don't make jokes. Don't take fruit, vegetables, meat or dairy products across the border unless you are 100 percent on top of the latest rules - we always buy it after crossing. Don't take dog food across in unopened packages and make sure it is on their approved list.
The US CBP border guards are just plain mean & nasty if you get pulled over - expect to feel like you are about to be shipped off to Guantanamo Bay... :E When I got pulled over with our TT, the mean & nasty CBP dude inside asked me where I was going and I pointed to our TT outside and said "going camping". He replies, NO, you are not! Then he says "camping is when you pitch a tent on the ground". Trying not to appear rattled, I revise my answer "we are taking our RV to an RV park in Birch Bay". He accepts that and moves onto the next question.
Coming back into Canada is always a breeze and have never been pulled over or harassed. They never ask what we have for food. If returning with purchases from the US, we have all of our receipts in hand for them to see along with totals. I've only been asked once to pass them over to the officer to look at.
My pet peeve with the border crossings is with the duty free store locations. Many people drive past long lineups into the duty free stores and buy something just to be able to cut back into the lines way ahead of everyone else. It can be really annoying, esp. on busy long weekends.
The good news is that once you're into the US, it's a great country full of great people. We camp exclusively in the US and do nearly 60 nights each year and love every minute of it.
A NEXUS card is highly recommended.
Some basic things to know that we've learned: Never volunteer info. and just answer the questions as asked. Maintain eye contact and don't make jokes. Don't take fruit, vegetables, meat or dairy products across the border unless you are 100 percent on top of the latest rules - we always buy it after crossing. Don't take dog food across in unopened packages and make sure it is on their approved list.
The US CBP border guards are just plain mean & nasty if you get pulled over - expect to feel like you are about to be shipped off to Guantanamo Bay... :E When I got pulled over with our TT, the mean & nasty CBP dude inside asked me where I was going and I pointed to our TT outside and said "going camping". He replies, NO, you are not! Then he says "camping is when you pitch a tent on the ground". Trying not to appear rattled, I revise my answer "we are taking our RV to an RV park in Birch Bay". He accepts that and moves onto the next question.
Coming back into Canada is always a breeze and have never been pulled over or harassed. They never ask what we have for food. If returning with purchases from the US, we have all of our receipts in hand for them to see along with totals. I've only been asked once to pass them over to the officer to look at.
My pet peeve with the border crossings is with the duty free store locations. Many people drive past long lineups into the duty free stores and buy something just to be able to cut back into the lines way ahead of everyone else. It can be really annoying, esp. on busy long weekends.
The good news is that once you're into the US, it's a great country full of great people. We camp exclusively in the US and do nearly 60 nights each year and love every minute of it.
