Border Crossing

[llberge]

We will be staying in Shelby, Mt before we cross into Canada, and were planning to cross at Sweetgrass. Looking at Google Earth, it looks like a really large and busy facility. Del Bonita crossing is a little farther to the west but still on our way to Fort MacLeod. Is there any reason not to cross there? Are the smaller crossings more likely to take your RV apart because they are looking for something to do?

[VTLee]

If they search inside your camper stop as soon as possible and check on what is inside. About 12 years ago I was pulling a 5er and crossed at Cornwall NY and they searched the inside and would not let me watch. We stopped about 30 miles down the road and opened the door to a real mess. They did not put anything back including the contents of the refrigerator. Luckily we were on our way home so I could clean it up when we got there.

[2gypsies1]

Why are folks so uptight about crossing the border? Think of the folks in Europe who go through it all the time. It's really no big deal if you're not trying to smuggle anything(one) in!

[almcc]

Montara24d wrote:
If for some reason they decide to search the 5th wheel, am I correct in thinking that will require opening the slides.
John

I've had the US border officer open the back slides at Detroit (ambassador bridge), the RV had to be pulled forward to clear obstacles.

It wasn't an inspection, guess he was looking for illegal entrants These days they are coming the other way. 🙂

I did a check after he was finished to ensure that everything was in place so no damage would happen in transit afterward.

[Pipeman]

We've had ours looked at by the US customs in Detroit and they never asked for the slides to be opened. I stood outside on the sidewalk and was asked not to put my hands in my pockets after I unlocked the door for them. One apologized for his boots being dirty. We've crossed the border many times and never had to have the slides open on either side of the border.....I might just have jinxed myself :). I'm pretty sure when they ask you questions other than the usual they already know the answers from looking at their computers. Last week they asked how many times we enter the US as he was staring at the computer. Have your ducks in a row, don't be carrying something that will get you into a lot of trouble and maybe call the customs at the point of entry and ask just what you can bring into the country you're going into. I do, because things change from time to time. Just be prepared to do what they tell you to do.

[Montara24d]

If for some reason they decide to search the 5th wheel, am I correct in thinking that will require opening the slides.
John

[c_traveler2]

Our experience wasn't too bad, we cross into Canada at Sumas, Washington. The agent at the kiosk was in a bad mood and put us through some extra steps other an that we were there for about 30 minutes.

[Veebyes]

You just never know. Had long lines at small crossings. Driven right up with no line at all at major crossings. Had 1/2 hour being searched. Had many many quick looks at passports, stamped & bye bye. Had chatty border agents. Had border agents who were downright rude.

Have your documents in order & answer any questions honestly & briefly.

[almcc]

Yes, border crossings can be interesting! A few years ago we went through a search when we went through the truck side instead of the car side (different crossings into the US have different lane requirements).

A couple of years ago we crossed into the US at Detroit, the officer asked where we were going, when we answered Borrego Springs California he started questioning us in detail and kept us for about 20 minutes! Turned out he was the best man at the wedding of the owner of a restaurant in Borrego Springs. We had a laugh when we met the owner later when we got there!

The folks behind us in line must have thought that we were druggies or something like that.

[D_E_Bishop]

CA Traveler wrote:
Why are you concerned? You are more likely to be searched due to suspicious behavior, attitude, DUI, criminal history, gun history, etc. Know the current rules for firewood, food, etc.

It's really simple: Have documents ready, hat off, sunglasses off, directly answer questions and don't offer additional information.

We have a routine that has helped speed things up when crossing into Canada, not that we have ever had a problem.

When we leave our last stop before crossing, the DW has all the normal papers set aside and knows exactly where the others that may be needed are located.

I have my wallet on the dash and my clear bifocals next to my wallet.

As I approach I wait until we start up to the CO and hopefully while he is looking at me and then I remove my sunglasses and put on my bifocals.

I look the CO in the eyes unless I have to look at my wife for something.

I normally turn the engine off and set the keys on the dash.

I answer yes or no as needed and if a yes or no won't suffice I answer more completely.

In short we are as fully prepared to provide anything the CO may ask for, passports, proof of Canadian insurance, health certificate, and a smile.

Because I always look directly at the CO he can see I am not nervous and I am always polite and do not try to answer questions in advance of being asked, it makes their job of interpreting my actions very easy.

I did get a nasty look and comment when the Ash Borer problem was big in 2011. The CO asked me if I had any "firewood", he did not ask if I had any logs or tree parts, he asked for firewood. I carry a fair amount of dimensional lumber for quick starting campfires. I had the compartment keys at the ready and when he ask if he could look I told him which compartment the wood was in and gave him the keys. He only looked in one compartment and returned to my window with a scowl on his face and said in a rather annoyed voice, "I meant non-sized wood".

Because he was the only CO at that crossing and there was no other traffic, we did get to ask him a few questions and got a great referral for a lunch spot. Once in a while they like to let their demeanor slip and become comfortable and friendly too.

So smile, look directly at the CO and be prepared with documents they like to ask for. Smile but don't try and be their friend or make jokes and it will be a snap.

I was given a lecture back in 2000 when we were returning from AK. We came down the Cassair and drove over to Hyder just to see it. On reentering CA, a not so friendly Lady CO asked about gun, I had a shotgun and the requisite permit. She then went off on it is safe in CA and I didn't need a gun for protection. I meekly explained that we had planned a flyout to a remote site and in the Forest Service brochure there was a statement that it was strongly recommended that we have a shotgun due to the bear's tendency to check out your fish after you had landed them.

[colliehauler]

GordonThree wrote:
Speaking of borders, has anyone had an electronics inspection or social media inspection while crossing either way?

Never even been asked about my tablet or phone.

[colliehauler]

IDman wrote:
I have had good luck at smaller crossings, as they always seem to appreciate someone to talk to. One agent spent ten minutes just petting and admiring our Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Of course, she might have just been stalling while her associate checked us out on the computer.

Same thing at International Falls/Fort Frances the Collies were a big hit. Inspections can be completely random or some other factors. I've had times when they went through the truck and others where I did not even get the truck in park before being waved through.

Do have one story when young with parents. They had bought a Duck lamp (made out of a decoy) for my Aunt and Uncle's cabin. They were bound and determined we had a gun and we're hunting. Took the car apart looking for this fictional gun. We were there for a long time. Then the water pump failed on dad's new Ford LTD on Sunday in Canada in the sixties. Dad had to take a cab back across-the-boarder to the Ford garage to get a replacement. Ford dealer met him there. Found a full service filling station in Fort Frances that changed it for us. What a day it was.

[IDman]

I have had good luck at smaller crossings, as they always seem to appreciate someone to talk to. One agent spent ten minutes just petting and admiring our Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Of course, she might have just been stalling while her associate checked us out on the computer.

[GordonThree]

Speaking of borders, has anyone had an electronics inspection or social media inspection while crossing either way?

[obgraham]

would never let them search your RV unless you are present.

Indeed, good luck with that. You have no such "right" at the border, in either direction.

[Orion]

I would never let them search your RV unless you are present. You are asking for trouble if you do that.

I'd like to see someone try that with the US Border Service!

We have not been back since.

Of course, there is often an upside!