Official "Border Crossing" Thread

[wickedxj]

Originally Posted by Hehe

You need to stay over 7days abroad to be eligible to this. And if you are flying back, it's quite simple. On the customs form, just check "Yes" on the mailed good/following option, and put the total amount (goods with you, and good mailed). You'd be sent to see an officer after using the Nexus lane at YVR. Officer would ask you a few questions and ask you to fill out a form that separates the value of the goods with/not with you.

After that, if you don't have to pay any taxes, you'd get a copy of the form you just completed with a stamp on it. Just go to Blaine with it and hand it over to the CDN officer when you return.

Thanks for the reply. However, I am flying in and out of Bellingham, driving across border. I am away for 10 days. Yeah I am familiar with that form when you fly into Canada.

[Hehe]

If you are crossing on land, the procedure is similar except it's verbal at first. Let the officer know you have things to mailed to you while away and you'd like to fill out the paperworks. They'd just send you in.

At least that what I experienced when I went to Vegas a while back, flew in/out from Bellingham.

[68style]

Why in a million years would you even tell them though? How are they ever going to find out? You've got way too much fear of the "government machine" to think they have time to compare every person's packages entering the country to their airport landing immigration records.

It's one of those "Check this box if you have the honesty level of a saint and enjoy making your life difficult" things, just my humble opinion.

[wickedxj]

Originally Posted by Hehe

If you are crossing on land, the procedure is similar except it's verbal at first. Let the officer know you have things to mailed to you while away and you'd like to fill out the paperworks. They'd just send you in.

At least that what I experienced when I went to Vegas a while back, flew in/out from Bellingham.

You are correct, spoke to both the CBSA and Nexus this morning. When I come back, tell them I have goods to follow, they will send me in, I will fill out a form, that I will bring with me on the second trip about a week later with my bumper. Told her the item was not purchased while on holidays, rather a month earlier, she said it didn't matter. CBSA couldn't confirm I could do this in the Nexus lane, however after a call to Nexus they confirmed I can.

Originally Posted by 68style

Why in a million years would you even tell them though? How are they ever going to find out? You've got way too much fear of the "government machine" to think they have time to compare every person's packages entering the country to their airport landing immigration records.

It's one of those "Check this box if you have the honesty level of a saint and enjoy making your life difficult" things, just my humble opinion.

Just trying to save some tax if you read the previous posts

[Hehe]

Originally Posted by 68style

Why in a million years would you even tell them though? How are they ever going to find out? You've got way too much fear of the "government machine" to think they have time to compare every person's packages entering the country to their airport landing immigration records.

It's one of those "Check this box if you have the honesty level of a saint and enjoy making your life difficult" things, just my humble opinion.

It's basically to max out the amount you are entitled to bring back to Canada tax-free every time.

You get $800 AND the ability for goods to follow after 7days away. Say you've got nothing to bring back but the same cloth and shit you left Canada with, you can just order something, ship it to the border (you can technically mail to Canada too, but it's more complicated), and claim the full $800 on that mail-order good tax free.

Anyone who actually has things to buy and are not using this legal gift is technically giving away about $100 every time they leave Canada for more than 7 days. (800*12%+whatever duty levied on such product if custom is being anal). Granted border agent usually don't care if it's something 100~200bucks... but for something like a computer part or car part worth over $500, it's a few bucks saved.

[Gh0stRider]

WTF

NEXUS cards reportedly revoked in wake of Trump travel ban | News Talk 980 CKNW | Vancouver's News. Vancouver's Talk

[syee]

Originally Posted by Gh0stRider

WTF

NEXUS cards reportedly revoked in wake of Trump travel ban | News Talk 980 CKNW | Vancouver's News. Vancouver's Talk

The article says that the guys who got theirs revoked have citizenship in the countries that currently blocked by Trump's immigration policy. It's a very select group of people - not everyone.

[Traum]

Supposedly, it only applies to Canadian permanent residents with citizenships in those 7 restricted countries, but a number of Canadian-born and dual citizens have also reportedly had their Nexus memberships revoked as well.

Seriously WTF...

[Iceman_2K]

Man, I didn't think they'd go so far.....I wonder if my H1B is going to get terminated.

[cdizzle_996]

Was down to pick up an exhaust yesterday ($740usd) and fuel. Came back through nexus, declared the exhaust. Guard asked me if there was anything special about it, I told him no.. He said have a nice day #winning

[TOS'd]

Anyone been down lately for a day trip? I haven't been following the recent news, don't know what to expect when going down for a shopping day-trip. Ie. access to phones/pws.

[Rallydrv]

Double post. Plz disregard

[Rallydrv]

^ I drove down last week for 2 nights. Used Sumas as I was in Abby for a concert. Around 11pm. No issues whatsoever. Us border guard was super nice. Nothing out of the ordinary.

2nd trip this month. Nothing different.. W/ nexus card of course.

[MG1]

I still go down at least once a week. No issues whatsoever.

In fact, it's been smoother than ever. Knock on wood.

[TOS'd]

Thanks for the feedback. Some relatives are heading down so I wanted to give them a heads up if they needed to do or provide anything out of the ordinary.

[syee]

I went down to Blaine today. Nexus lane. Like MG1 mentioned, it was super smooth. Didn't even ask where I was going. Just asked if I had anything to declare and sent me on my way.

I did notice though that they had the dogs out sniffing out cars in the regular lanes. Hadn't seen that in a very long time.

[AzNightmare]

I had to send in something for warranty repair, but it was only partially covered. I ended up paying $160 USD and got them to ship it to Blaine. Should I be expected to pay any taxes upon returning??

$160 is technically the service fee for RMA on my item.

[smoothie.]

Originally Posted by AzNightmare

I had to send in something for warranty repair, but it was only partially covered. I ended up paying $160 USD and got them to ship it to Blaine. Should I be expected to pay any taxes upon returning??

$160 is technically the service fee for RMA on my item.

declare it warranty repair, and how much you paid on your end.

160 is pretty low, worst case 12%

[J-Chow]

Originally Posted by AzNightmare

I had to send in something for warranty repair, but it was only partially covered. I ended up paying $160 USD and got them to ship it to Blaine. Should I be expected to pay any taxes upon returning??

$160 is technically the service fee for RMA on my item.

If it's under warranty repair, there shouldn't be any taxes on it. Bring your original warranty along with the invoice if you have it.

If you were to "modify" the item to increase it's value, then applicable duty and taxes would be charged.

That's IIRC.

[wickedxj]

Hey guys. Bumping this thread with a reminder that you can renew your Nexus a year before it expires. I waited too long, re-applied 2 months before, and it expired. My brother and I both had about a 3.5 month wait for interview or approval, so get on it.

Odd, my brother's got renewed without an interview, but I had to have one, maybe because I changed addresses?

And a reminder to update your info on goes website, passports, DL, addresses.

My interview went great, then the officer offered to update my wife and kid's addresses. My wife's passport, DL were expired, and she still had an address from 4 years ago on file, and we didn't update my daughter's passport. He said we were lucky we didn't get sent in to secondary.

So I have avoided a trip to states for past couple months, but the guard told me I could still use the card, though expired, because I had re-applied before expiry. I cannot find anything official online stating this, just some random forums stating the same, anyone ever try?

[MG1]

Also, since this thread was resurrected from the dead, be aware that the authorities are out to get left lane campers. $185.00 USD fine, I believe.

Somewhat like what we have here, but they are really out to get those who abuse the passing lane. Especially Canadians. They love to nail Canadians.

Also, they really hate it when you don't change over to the left lane when an officer of the peace is parked on the right shoulder. It's a Washington State law that they enforce. They will drop what they are doing and chase you down. I was given a warning for this......... dude was parked way over to the right on a very wide shoulder with plenty of room. My very trusting, kind face saved me yet again. Actually, dude was a very young and very polite, State Trooper. I told him I would let my fellow Canadians know not to be in the adjacent lane of a cruiser or bike.

Do they have that law here too?

[van_city23]

Originally Posted by MG1

Do they have that law here too?

[underscore]

Nobody seems to know about the slow down, move over law or the left lane law, and I've yet to see either enforced.

[lilaznviper]

until its being enforced constantly, majority of the people won't follow it.

[whitev70r]

What is the most that you got away with not having to pay customs? I mean same day trip - pick up parcel at Pt Roberts or Blaine, etc.. I find the threshold to be around $300 US. Recently, got waived through, no customs for $280 US