Forum Discussion

Almot's avatar
Almot
Explorer III
Apr 29, 2017

Q to Canadians with NEXUS

Have finally received my card. In the letter it says that to drive in SENTRI lanes, you must enroll your vehicle and have it inspected at SENTRI center.

In San Ysidro Ca their center is one block before the border, could stop there when going South. Open until 2 pm only. Did anybody do it there, how long does take, do they charge anything?

Nomads were talking about doing this the other way around, when they add a car to existing SENTRI account (note that mine is NEXUS). On the way North they would take SENTRI lane, CBP would pull them off to the secondary and do this, so that the "center" in SY would only deal with new applicants, not cars. Would be nice if it worked for me too.
  • I go across back and forth from Canada to the USA 12 times a year.
    I live in Canada and always use my Nexus card

    I always use the NEXUS lane regardless if I am using my personal or rental vehicle. Very rarely, but they do at random pull you in for a quick vehicle inspection. It is random selection.
    Never had to pre register or inspect my vehicle ever.

    2 Tips, never use your Nexus card if you have commercial products for sale or giveaway for business purposes.
    Also never bring anything over for friends ect, only your items.
    Both will cause you to lose you card!
    For the above Tips, Use the normal lane and your passport only if you plan on doing.
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Machzer, with Nexus lanes at Can/US border it's clear.

    However, there are no Nexus lanes at the US/Mex border when coming North from Mexico. They have SENTRI lanes instead. Are you saying that Nexus card can be simply used in Sentri, just like that? I guess I'll find the truth when I go. Will play dumb, always helps :)
  • Sorry, Never been to the Southern border. I am sure there are all kinds of different things there. Does Nexus work going Mexico?
    I thought Canada/ USA thing only.
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Wm. Elliot - did you have to inspect your vehicle before using Nexus card in Sentri lanes, or they did it on-spot, at the border?

    Machzer - Nexus card works for coming into US from Mexico. For pedestrians it just works like Sentri. For vehicles - my letter says that I have to "inspect and enroll" my car first, in the US Sentri center. I would rather have it inspected on-spot.