Official "Border Crossing" Thread

[68style]

^ Thats pretty chintzy of them you had 4 people in the car and $200 allotment each... $200 over? Sheesh...

[Acura604]

to make it more efficient, KEEP YOUR GAS RECEIPTS.

Lets say you have 2 jerries at 5.3gallons each for total of 10.6gallons.

and the bill came to $38.05 USD.

Lets also say you filled up your car and it came to $40 USD.

they will ONLY tax you on the gas in the jerries at current conversion rate.
SO they will take the $38.05USD and convert to CDN and then charge 12% as tax.

TO avoid taxes on gasoline purchases, its best to avoid bringing other taxable goods in as they now have a reason to haul your ass in for taxes and will simply lump your gas purchase in as well. Mind you, this is not always the case and it really depends on if the CBSA person is having a good day.

[winson604]

Originally Posted by 68style

^ Thats pretty chintzy of them you had 4 people in the car and $200 allotment each... $200 over? Sheesh...

3 people in the car with items ranging from adult clothing to children clothes/toys, and house hold items. Cashier had to check with colleagues and came back stating we still get the $200 exemption and said we would only be taxed on the adult items, meh.

[68style]

^ that’s even weirder cuz it states right on the CBSA website that the $200 exemption does not apply if you go over lol

https://travel.gc.ca/returning/custo...ons-mini-guide

[winson604]

Originally Posted by 68style

^ that’s even weirder cuz it states right on the CBSA website that the $200 exemption does not apply if you go over lol

https://travel.gc.ca/returning/custo...ons-mini-guide

LOL I have no idea the cashier added up all the totals and then calculated how long we were gone for like down to the hour although I'm not sure why it even matters because I already said I was under 48 hours. She wondered if we still got any exemptions, went over to where a few officers were gathered came back and said yup you still get the $200 I was like sure haha.

[Speed2K]

If you were charged $90, it looks like they valued the goods at $750 (they likely just charged you 12%, since they don't usually add duty).

[winson604]

Originally Posted by Speed2K

If you were charged $90, it looks like they valued the goods at $750 (they likely just charged you 12%, since they don't usually add duty).

Sounds about right I don't have all the numbers in front of me but of the $800 USD approx 3/4 of it were adult clothing so that's pretty close to the $750 CDN.

[Presto]

I've been trying to figure out the optimal time to cross for a quick Trader Joe's trip and fuel-up. Tonight we got to the crossing at 6:15, and it was a sub-5 minute wait. We did our shopping at TJ, and filled up the tank. We were past the crossing just after 7:00.

[Hehe]

Originally Posted by Presto

I've been trying to figure out the optimal time to cross for a quick Trader Joe's trip and fuel-up. Tonight we got to the crossing at 6:15, and it was a sub-5 minute wait. We did our shopping at TJ, and filled up the tank. We were past the crossing just after 7:00.

How fast were you going?!

From Peace Arch/Truck Crossing to TJ in Bellingham is 70KM RT. It's 45min just to do the RT direct (as in A-B-A). Even at 90MPH, which saves you about 8min, wtf did you buy at TJ???

The optimal time is "GET THE NEXUS".

Joke aside, the stretch on I-5 between Bellingham Airport (now Costco) exit to the TJ exit can be quite crowded by rush hour. I'd avoid rush hours. Usually I just after 6PM on weekdays.

[ruthless]

tax on extra gas is 5% GST on the CDN value and 10cents each liter

[twitchyzero]

dunno if it was just sunday evening and summer, but from the roundabout at peace portal drive northbound to peace arch took almost 2 hours, one nexus lane...good call Google Maps!

i looked at it again (maps refreshed) at 9pm and midnight and it was still all red backed up onto the highway from truck route exit 275 for pacific xing...at around 10-11pm my family said the sign board est. 180 min

dafuq's going on? our dollar is around $0.75...and gas isn't even that cheap blaine/Bellingham rn

[smoothie.]

Originally Posted by twitchyzero

dunno if it was just sunday evening and summer, but from the roundabout at peace portal drive northbound to peace arch took almost 2 hours, one nexus lane...good call Google Maps!

i looked at it again (maps refreshed) at 9pm and midnight and it was still all red backed up onto the highway from truck route exit 275 for pacific xing...at around 10-11pm my family said the sign board est. 180 min

dafuq's going on? our dollar is around $0.75...and gas isn't even that cheap blaine/Bellingham rn

20-30 cents per liter discount

you see how people line up at local pumps for 2-3 cents?

LOL.

[underscore]

4 hours to save maybe $30 isn't even close to worth it, but people are idiots when it comes to a few cents/L.

[yray]

ALDERGROVE GUYS, 3 MINS, NO NEXUS

[320icar]

Originally Posted by twitchyzero

dunno if it was just sunday evening and summer, but from the roundabout at peace portal drive northbound to peace arch took almost 2 hours, one nexus lane...good call Google Maps!

i looked at it again (maps refreshed) at 9pm and midnight and it was still all red backed up onto the highway from truck route exit 275 for pacific xing...at around 10-11pm my family said the sign board est. 180 min

dafuq's going on? our dollar is around $0.75...and gas isn't even that cheap blaine/Bellingham rn

Yepp. Fiancé and I got to Bellingham Sunday night aftervtrack day. Peace arch said 165+ minute wait. So we got Denny’s and waited. After our meal we looked again... up to 180+ minute wait. Drove from Bellingham to Abbotsford crossing, 2 minute wait, drove home to Richmond. Yes it was further distance but about 1/3 the time

[Acura604]

Bellingham ARCO. meridian St next to walmart.



with credit card rate:

$3.21 per gallon/reg.

$3.61 per gallon/PREM.

[dachinesedude]

Originally Posted by twitchyzero

dunno if it was just sunday evening and summer, but from the roundabout at peace portal drive northbound to peace arch took almost 2 hours, one nexus lane...good call Google Maps!

i looked at it again (maps refreshed) at 9pm and midnight and it was still all red backed up onto the highway from truck route exit 275 for pacific xing...at around 10-11pm my family said the sign board est. 180 min

dafuq's going on? our dollar is around $0.75...and gas isn't even that cheap blaine/Bellingham rn

what a huge difference depending on sat or sun and time of day

Saturday Peach Arch with Nexus:
Southbound - 1pm, 3 lanes, no wait
Northbound - 5pm, 2 lanes, no wait

[yray]

Originally Posted by Acura604

Bellingham ARCO. meridian St next to walmart.



with credit card rate:

$3.21 per gallon/reg.

$3.61 per gallon/PREM.

Anyone getting shit performance from ARCO gas?

[twitchyzero]

I've been filling with ARCO for past few months
I don't feel any difference in performance

I want to say the milage seems worse though (87)

[smoothie.]

Originally Posted by underscore

4 hours to save maybe $30 isn't even close to worth it, but people are idiots when it comes to a few cents/L.

it's ok if you don't get it

[mb_]

Whatever happened on Sunday, it was fucked lol

Luckily, I was able to bypass the shit show through Blaine since I had to get gas and like a 2 min wait with Nexus through truck crossing

[underscore]

Originally Posted by smoothie.

it's ok if you don't get it

What's there to get? Saving $0.30/L nets you $30 in savings if you buy 100L. I know some people get crazy and fill up garbage cans but ignoring them (since it's stupid on several levels) I can't imagine anyone bringing back more than 200L total between jerry cans and their tank, so $60. Even if your driving distance is minimal spending 4 hours of your life sitting in a lineup to save $60 seems like a terrible way to spend your time.

[nsx042003]

^it's never 30 cents/liter for me, it's consistently 50 cents/liter, and i do it at point roberts. in and out in an hour

and Nexus is a joke, too much restriction on what you can bring with you when you cross the border. ZERO tools allowed. ZERO. Not even a Jack. I asked, was told "too bad", leave those home

[mb_]

Originally Posted by nsx042003

and Nexus is a joke, too much restriction on what you can bring with you when you cross the border. ZERO tools allowed. ZERO. Not even a Jack. I asked, was told "too bad", leave those home

Hmmm I've crossed multiple times with tools in my car especially for track days, border guard even randomly checked my trunk one time and I had no issues. In plain view once you open the trunk as well.

[ImportPsycho]

Originally Posted by underscore

4 hours to save maybe $30 isn't even close to worth it, but people are idiots when it comes to a few cents/L.

I say this every time I drive by costco gas.
Gas station resembles border line up.