Procedure for crossing Canadian Border from US

[Commuter Boy]

Originally Posted by North

Anyways, I had an American Border Guard really give me hard time last week. I just driving down on my GS to get some parts for my Husky. I stopped the engine and took off my helmet. But I didn't know my plate number. I just thought it was a bit over-kill.

It's their country, I've got no problems with them checking people out thoroughly before letting them in.

Pretty standard Border Guard tactic to give someone the gears or the 3rd degree just to see if they start to sweat or panic.

"Y'all got any DOPE in that motorcycle bag son?"

"What'a ya mean you don't know your license plate? You steal that bike? I bet you got a criminal record, don't you? Where'd you say you were going again?"

Somewhere along the line the question always comes up "Whatta ya do for a living?"

After I say I'm an accountant all of a sudden they completely lose interest in me for some reason

[fatdr]

Originally Posted by Beezer

I hear the won't let you through if you have a drunk driving conviction, as this is a felony in Canada. This happened to an aquaintenance (I would imagine he was drunk at the time), he had to go to another check point & lie to get through. This was 10 years ago or so when things were much more lax. How is it now?

It's actually the same going both ways. A criminal conviction of any kind is grounds to turn you away. Stupid customs..... they ought to just open up the border and make an uber-border around us all to serve both countries, then I can bring in all my cheap liquor and ciggies...

[Steve G.]

Originally Posted by fatdr

It's actually the same going both ways. A criminal conviction of any kind is grounds to turn you away. Stupid customs..... they ought to just open up the border and make an uber-border around us all to serve both countries, then I can bring in all my cheap liquor and ciggies...

I've recently returned from a month in Europe. My opinion is, I don't think we want to go down this road, a free border. Yeah it sounds nice, but you would not believe the 'rif-raf' that would find it's way to feed off of our 'liberal' social safety net. They are having one heck of a problem in western Europe [ Germany, Austria, Switzerland] with roving bands of Eastern European gypsies coming into towns, grabbing everything that moves.
One day as I sat at a coffee shop in small town Austria, we watched as a clearly recognizable group with clever handed kids walked down the streets, and the shop keepers grabbing their stuff, pulling it into their quickly closing doors.
No, keep the border there, we are doing just fine!!
Steve

[fatdr]

Originally Posted by Steve G.

I've recently returned from a month in Europe. My opinion is, I don't think we want to go down this road, a free border. Yeah it sounds nice, but you would not believe the 'rif-raf' that would find it's way to feed off of our 'liberal' social safety net. They are having one heck of a problem in western Europe [ Germany, Austria, Switzerland] with roving bands of Eastern European gypsies coming into towns, grabbing everything that moves.
One day as I sat at a coffee shop in small town Austria, we watched as a clearly recognizable group with clever handed kids walked down the streets, and the shop keepers grabbing their stuff, pulling it into their quickly closing doors.
No, keep the border there, we are doing just fine!!
Steve

hey Steve,
I said that more tongue in cheek than really meaning it. I drive a big truck across the border, sometimes 2 or 3 times a week and it does get tiresome with the inane questions and border wait times. However, that said, I do agree with you about keeping them there.
Stupid customs...

[Steve G.]

Originally Posted by fatdr

hey Steve,
I said that more tongue in cheek than really meaning it. I drive a big truck across the border, sometimes 2 or 3 times a week and it does get tiresome with the inane questions and border wait times. However, that said, I do agree with you about keeping them there.
Stupid customs...

I hear ya regarding the line-ups. The USA, whether self imposed, or it just happened, are the worlds policeman. As such, many people [not me] dislike them. As a result, the USA knows it, feels it, and are now nervous at their borders. I have no problem answering any of their questions either, and just thank the stars that I am not one who could be considered a visual profile pick for further interogation in their books. All I want to do is enjoy their roads, buy their cheap beer & bike stuff, and in the winter, enjoy their sunshine. But I always know the way back to the border.

[nvdlboy]

IME, having crossed the border regularly for the past 40 years at a variety of crossings in BC, I find that being polite and respectful is the best approach. I've been searched a few times going into the US and even more coming home into Canada. I'm honest; my kid sister tried to bring a 40 oz bottle of Tequila home one time, that was the most expensive "cheap" bottle that they never even got to enjoy as it was poured out in front of them when Customs impounded her car! I now use a NEXUS pass, still get the occasional secondary questioning, but they're pretty good both ways. Coming back from Death Valley this year, the only comment I got was "I guess you don't have anything to declare!" I did, dropped off the forms and was still through in under 5 minutes.
This year, one of my cousins who is Canadian and has lived in Milan with his Italian wife for the past 10 years ran into trouble as his kids (10 and 8) are both on the wife's passport per Italian regs; the US folks refused him entry to visit our jointly owned US property for lunch. They have never had a problem in years past. After 4 hours in the custom's office, their biggest lesson was don't argue when you're refused entry.

[toddiscdn]

I agree with nvdlboy, I live 25 min.s from the Sarnia, Ont./ port Huron Mich. border and go over all the time to get beer, gas, pick up packages, etc.. Take you shades off, have your documents ready(passport helps), yes sir, no sir etc. and you should be on your way. Yes the have some inane questions, and some are on a power trip, but play nice and you should be ok.

All this has been in my cage, its good to get some insite on helmet removal, etc. if I ever take my bike over. I havent yet as Im usually picking stuff up and its hard to get 5 cases of beer on the bike

cheers, Todd