Haha, what Gatorade said - the last day of any long weekend. Come back around 6-8PM for lots of traffic. :P

However, with the current crap exchange rate, the waits aren't super long coming back to Canada. Coming back last Victoria Day, it was maybe a 30 minute wait coming back into Canada.

If you want to dodge paying taxes, you'd be better off just keeping your total under $200 for a same day trip and spreading your purchases out over several trips if you're going to spend more than that.

I came back on Sunday via pac highway at 6pm and lineup was not past the duty free shop and nexus was less than 5 min

What can I expect at the border if I'm bringing a used car part into the states to sell?
Is it just verbal declaration and potentially have to pay duty?

If you want to be completely prepared, fill out a form 7533 as best you can and you might have to pay duty. and do NOT go through Nexus as this would be considered traveling for commercial purposes.

Damn, Orange Chicken from Winco deli is so damn good. I get some every week when I'm down there. I'll put it up against any orange chicken from most restaurants, especially at $2.48 USD / LB. I have yet to be disappointed, except the one time they were all sold out, lol.

Even with the exchange rate being so shitty, there are still bargains to be had south of the border. Plus, a lot of stuff I get is not available up here. Like Xtra large clear garbage bags. The ones that fit 55 gallon cans. You cannot get them up here easily, now that Costco stopped selling them.

On the way back, I hit up Northwood Casino for exchange plus days (Wednesdays and Saturdays this month and maybe into August) 10% over going rate. I only go if a family member or two come along, then it's worth the extra trip off the beaten path.

Ice cream from Edaleen Dairy is a bonus, especially when their exchange rate is 85 cents on purchases.


Oh........ and of course, Dickey's!

Also, all these places are in Lynden, so I cross at the Aldergrove crossing. It is always less busy than other crossings. Today, no cars lined up.

So, went across the border today at around 7:30 am. I have an Enhanced Drivers License, so I am able to cross at the Ready Lane. I do this every week. Today, I went through the lane as usual, but forgot it was a Saturday. To keep the story short, I got busted for Nexus Violation, which carries a penalty of $5000.00 USD.

If I am not able to pay the amount, the vehicle gets seized. WTF?

Luckily, it was my first offence and I got off with a warning. Damn.......... not doing that again. I had to get in line and get a vehicle inspection. The border guard was a total jerk about it. It was a mistake, not a federal crime against the state, but dude got all upset and rude.

I just kept my mouth shut and took it like a champ, LOL. It was my fault, no doubt about it, but being a jerk was not necessary

On the way back the crossing was fast and pleasant. I wAnder if our border guards get all pissy like that.


The other thing is, the sign above doesn't always display that it is a "Ready Lane" even if it is within the designated time and days. Anyway, dude was this miserable old fart who looked like he had nothing in life to look forward to........ except rant and take it out on Canadians, LOL.

A big, FUCK YOU, to that border guard for going above and beyond his duty.

god bless.........

So if you accidentally go into a lane that has been turned into a Nexus lane for the day you can get a $5k fine? What prick thought that one up?

With the amount of travel you seem to be doing, I'm surprised you haven't gotten the NEXUS. It's the best $50 you'd ever spend. Heck, even at once a month I'd say it's totally worth the trouble.

Canadian side is just as picky for NEXUS violations. Mine was different in that I told them I had picked up an item for a friend while using the NEXUS lane which apparently is also a big no-no. They said I couldn't do this and sent me inside to secondary inspection. They now have an official warning on my record.

Nexus has been my best investment in a while. I used to fuel up at ungodly hours to avoid lines (5am before work) or late at night. Now with my Nexus I can swing through any time grab gas and packages.

i'm up for a renewal for Nexus.
did it online, it's been 3 weeks, no additional changes yet,, still pending.
It's due for a renewal in 6 mths.

anyone know what the wait time is like?

I'm dropping off a relative (Canadian Citizen) at Sea Tac Airport at the end of this month. Other than the usual get there well ahead of time, anything else I should be aware of when crossing the border? I'll stay in Seattle and do some shopping.

I've done this a few times and it's pretty straight forward. I just tell them what my intentions are including other plans and that's usually good enough. They might ask you details regarding the flight (airline, flight #, etc.), so have those details ready. Sometimes I'll have my passenger hold their flight details/paperwork (boarding pass/confirmation email) in their hands or I'll hold them myself. It's much easier to read off the details or hand them off to the officer. Some officers will notice these details as well and it makes the process go smoother.

Thanks........... RS, so helpful.

So something I found out quite interesting while filling up gas.
I usually bring extra 2 gas cans with me to fill up. 5 Gallon/can
Last few times I been filling cans first instead of the car first so I can see exactly how much difference there is between my cans and the actual meter.
I filled up 5Gal each can to the marker
Texaco showed 10.75Gal and Shell showed up 10.50Gal.
I am not sure if it's stations dependent within the gas station or not.
I will attempt mini-USA today if i have a chance.
but with 7.5% margin is a little too much IMHO, you are almost paying an extra gallon per 10 Gal you fill.
will update for shit and giggles

I'm flying from Bellingham to Vegas. If I cross the land border with my Enhanced DL and then fly out from Bellingham do I need my passport when I fly within the US? my passport expired and I'm not sure if I can get it together in time

^^ Nowadays, I'd still recommend you to bring your passport for the flight. I wouldn't bother using it to cross the land border since you have an EDL (unless the US officer asks for it).

I'd bring it just in case you end up having to fly back direct for whatever reason.

you are getting what you pay for since the gas can't are not accurate and you are more then likely filling up that extra amount.

Reason is my passport expired :( not sure if I can get it together in time

According to this http://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing.../edl-guide.pdf

Edl is only good for land and water travel. Air travel needs passport or nexus

I'd bring it anyways, even if it's expired. If you want to be safe, you can always take it to the passport office and have an express renewal done. (same day) Probably would cost a bunch though.

I've tried to use my NEXUS card as identification to pass through security and they didn't accept it as identification. However, seeing how most US residents use their drivers license as identification for boarding a flight or security , I don't see why a BC drivers license wouldn't qualify as proper ID.

Sorry I failed at reading again. Didn't see the expired passport bit.

At any rate, "Express Pick Up" service is available for only $50, and it can be done between 2 - 9 business days:

Pay your passport fee in Canada

so I'd say that is quite cheap. If you want to, Urgent pick up (by end of next business day) can be done for $110.

I am a little more risk adverse, so if there is enough time, I'd go for the $50 express renewal option. I did it a few years ago when I renewed my passport, and it took 5 business days. YMMV though.

They're crossing the border by land and flying domestically within the US. I still wouldn't risk trying to get on a plane with just a DL and having some TSA agent not understand how you got into the country with no passport.

TSA can barely do their own job, let alone anyone elses job. According to this TSA page, a Canadian drivers license is OK to pass a TSA security checkpoint which is what the OP is asking about.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-...identification