Worst US/Canadian border crossing

A few years ago the wife and I were taking separate vehicles to Lakeport State Park in MI. I towed the trailer earlier in the day and she came from work with our adopted Chinese daughter, (The wife and I are unmistakably Caucasian), then aged about 7.

There's a tricky bit on I-94 close to the Blue Water Bridge that crosses to Canada where, (if you are busy dealing with a 7 year old in the back seat), you can find yourself on the bridge with no way to turn about and heading directly to Canada... Which the wife managed to accomplish.

Nonsensically, there is nowhere you can turn around when you get to Canada if you have made a mistake so you are forced to interact with the immigration chaps there. So my wife finds herself with no documentation for her or our daughter and, possibly worse yet, no proof that the small Chinese girl lashed into a childseat in the back of the truck is legally adopted.

There was much "umming" and "aahing" and about half an hour later my wife was handed a "Refused Entry" form all dutifully filled out and was directed to turn around and go back from whence she came.

If they would just put a little turn around area before you get to immigration that allows you to cross back it would save those who make a mistake and their immigration chaps a lot of time and effort.

Coming back into Detroit a few years ago the US customs guy asks where I'm going. "Detroit" is the answer. From his booth he asks if I have any guns. "No" I say. He reaches under his desk and lifts up 2 handguns to hand to me saying, "You'll need these then".

Just a little levity here.

steveh27 wrote:
Coming back into Detroit a few years ago the US customs guy asks where I'm going. "Detroit" is the answer. From his booth he asks if I have any guns. "No" I say. He reaches under his desk and lifts up 2 handguns to hand to me saying, "You'll need these then".

Just a little levity here.

Probably more truth to that then humor.

2 very different stories from me. Both returning to Canada at Oroville/Osoyoos.

First time was with a 8 month old trailer (so looked brand new). CDN Dollar was much better then so I was bringing back about $1600 of stuff I knew I would have to pay something on so had all the receipts and a list made. Plus (and this was our mistake) we had stopped at Wal Mart for beer and wine on the way down (2 weeks earlier) and just didn't drink much so were bringing back 2/3rds of it. Over limit on the liquor. So pulled aside and asked for keys etc. They went through the truck and trailer from front to rear bumper. Opened everything including looking under the hood of the truck. 45 mins later they came back, said thanks for being honest and sent us on our way without any fees or anything.

Last year, similar trip but the CDN dollar was not so good so I didn't spend much. Maybe $200 of stuff at most. Again, had all the receipts and we drank every last drop of liquor, so had none on board. 2 questions and waived through in under a minute.

I've had bad experiences at airports, but that's another set of stories.

Want to get really hasseled? buy some thing on Craig's list, and tell them about it.

So here's a question for you. Each year, we take my RV on a trip to South Dakota to go pheasant hunting. Usually 1 or 2 other guys drive with me. We take all the guns and gear for many others who fly to Sioux Falls with only carryon bags.

This year, those of us driving are thinking about going to Canada first to hunt waterfowl before back to SD. I know we can't take their guns but can we take others' gear (clothes, boots, etc.)?

By the way, our shotguns will be locked in gun cases and stowed in the locked crossover storage on our Class C. Paperwork will be completed and presented at the border.

Thanks

Don't really have a bad story, but a funny one. My considerably better half accompanied me on a business trip about 20 years ago. We flew in a small six-seater aircraft from Canada to a small US airport -- they had one custom's agent on hand, for 'puddle jumper' flights arriving from Canada.

We were last in line; when we got to the officer, he looked at our passports and asked a few basic questions. Then he asked, what was the purpose of the visit? I answered truthfully that it was going to be about half business and half pleasure.

Keeping a straight face, he looked me up and down and said, "My guess is, you'd be the business...". And then looking at my wife, said, "... and you'd be the pleasure...." and then laughed loudly at his own joke. Twenty years later, we still laugh about it from time to time...

cross21114 wrote:
So here's a question for you.

This year, those of us driving are thinking about going to Canada first to hunt waterfowl before back to SD. I know we can't take their guns but can we take others' gear (clothes, boots, etc.)?

Technically speaking, no. Even clothes are ‘personal possessions’ are only legally imported as such by the owner.

However, I suppose it’s hard to tell who’s clothes is who’s. As long as it truly is ‘luggage’ and it’s going back across the border, no harm, no foul IMHO.

cross21114 wrote:
So here's a question for you. Each year, we take my RV on a trip to South Dakota to go pheasant hunting. Usually 1 or 2 other guys drive with me. We take all the guns and gear for many others who fly to Sioux Falls with only carryon bags.

This year, those of us driving are thinking about going to Canada first to hunt waterfowl before back to SD. I know we can't take their guns but can we take others' gear (clothes, boots, etc.)?

By the way, our shotguns will be locked in gun cases and stowed in the locked crossover storage on our Class C. Paperwork will be completed and presented at the border.

Thanks

You should be good to go. The Canadians don't give a hoot how you dress. As long as you do the paper work on the guns and are legal there.
Know the hunting regulations, and Have a great trip,

Not crossing the border, but used to go through a US highway checkpoint going to and from work everyday...most of the time in a commuter van with other employees. Only bad experience was one lady driving who tried to get smart with them when asked if she was a US citizen. All of us got to sit in the desert heat and wait as a result of that even though they knew us and saw us at the checkpoint every day. Take home lesson there was to just answer the questions asked in a straightforward manner.