Official "Border Crossing" Thread

[xxxrsxxx]

so if you are travelling to the US (for a day trip to Bellingham) and fully vaccinated, do you still need to provide a negative test when coming back?

[StylinRed]

No, but u may get randomly selected for a test

[mikemhg]

Originally Posted by blkgsr

i went down on friday afternoon and got a grumpy old fart of a woman coming back up.

going down was great but coming home she wanted proof of each purchase (ok fair enough but haven't been asked in YEARS) especially when there was stuff i bought over a year ago. luckly i was able to find it in my emails.

Played yourself bud.

Any miscellaneous shit, just take it out of the box, take off any tags/crap, and leave it in your trunk.

They have no ability to confirm where and when you purchased it.

Outside of that, just keep a few receipts in hand equating to no more than $100, and have it ready as you're driving through.

Works every single time.

[68style]

^ technically they can go after you if they’re a total dick, if you’re bringing stuff down like, say, a fancy camera etc you’re supposed to stop at the Canadian side and register it with them.

Stupid but I’ve seen people get hit up.

[SpeedStars]

Went down to PR to pickup some parcels. First time I've ever had to pay customs. I'm assuming they're enforcing it a bit more since they assume people might be picking up a bunch of orders from a year ago.

[twitchyzero]

Originally Posted by mikemhg

Any miscellaneous shit, just take it out of the box, take off any tags/crap, and leave it in your trunk.

probably the oldest trick they know about though

absurd for them to ask for receipts on things that sat there from 2 years ago

[Special K]

Originally Posted by SpeedStars

Went down to PR to pickup some parcels. First time I've ever had to pay customs. I'm assuming they're enforcing it a bit more since they assume people might be picking up a bunch of orders from a year ago.

I went down last night. Got charge $33 of taxes. He was a young guy and probably new on the job. Mulling over my receipts for a good 5 minutes asking the same questions in different ways. After paying the cashier, he came up to me to ask “do you mind if I search your car?” Lol…

Glad to see the older guys still working in that office. It’s been a long time.

[68style]

I crossed at PR twice in the last week…

$592 usd the first time and $230 usd the second time … waved me through both times.

I just have such a loveable face

[Special K]

Originally Posted by 68style

I crossed at PR twice in the last week…

$592 usd the first time and $230 usd the second time … waved me through both times.

I just have such a loveable face

Time and day of the week?

[68style]

592 was after lunch last Saturday

230 was yesterday mid afternoon

Different border guards each time although 1 of them I think he was at PR before covid too…

I honestly think it somewhat matters what it was… I had transformers action figures and model cars I think maybe they’re just like “neeeeeeeerdddd” inside and let me go but it’s like auto parts or name brand purse or stuff they’re like okay inside asshole hahaha

[MG1]

Originally Posted by 68style

I just have such a loveable face

It’s true. You must have a trusting face. Some people just look plain nasty and/or have a shitty attitude. No matter where they go or what they do, they get into arguments and fights.

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, but you can spot sneaky, slimy people pretty easily. It’s like the woman who looks like she was born with a frown and it probably kills her just to smile. Smirky, stuck up chicks, etc. I’ve met and dealt with thousands of people through work and got to know a lot of them. Some are genuinely nice people, while others are the devil’s sibling or offspring. Then there are the ones I call, “smiles and chuckles.” Behind that smile……………….. nuff said.

As for crossing the border, honesty is the best policy. Answer all questions quickly and you’re good. I have all receipts in hand and all totaled up. Border guards ask you really weird questions to try and catch you off guard (pun not intended). Anyway……………

I also make it a rule to keep purchases under $100.00. If it’s groceries they don’t care because it’s not really taxable. I tell them Costco, Trader Joe’s, Winco and they know most of your stuff is not taxable. When picking up stuff from mail boxes, like model planes and hobby supplies, they don’t care because toys and hobby items are duty free. Made in US and Mexico items are also duty free for the most part. I crossed with over $500.00 of model kits and got through. Taxes are still collectible on non food items, but sometimes it’s not worth it for them to bother with. Again back to if they don’t like you or feel you’re hiding something. I have never lied to them ever and have no record of them finding anything I have not declared. Honesty is best policy.

Addendum: To keep my purchases under the $100.00 mark, I don’t buy anything because it’s cheaper. I buy stuff you can’t get up here.

Also, do little things like roll down rear driver's side window and retract/remove any hatch covers before driving up to the booth. Turn down or off the radio. Anything to make their job easier. Last thing you want to do is fumble around for papers and stuff when you pull up. If you have passengers with you, make sure they remove any hats/hoodies, sunglasses, etc. before arriving at the booth. If one of your passengers look like murd0c's avatar, good luck. hee hee.............

[Tr1ll]

Didn't know made in USA is duty free. Did you mention off the bat that whatever you bought is made in the USA, or only when they send you inside and you're talking to whoever is collecting payment. I think I could have gotten away with paying taxes on my last $300ish of purchases....

[SSM_DC5]

I haven't had to pay duty on anything, it's only been taxes. I'm pretty sure the items I'm bringing in can have duty applied but they don't.

[Special K]

Originally Posted by 68style

592 was after lunch last Saturday

230 was yesterday mid afternoon

Different border guards each time although 1 of them I think he was at PR before covid too…

I honestly think it somewhat matters what it was… I had transformers action figures and model cars I think maybe they’re just like “neeeeeeeerdddd” inside and let me go but it’s like auto parts or name brand purse or stuff they’re like okay inside asshole hahaha

I find more experienced and older officers letting go higher amounts but ask tougher questions. I had two bearbricks and a box of basketball cards… guy couldn’t even understand my receipts. He asked me whether my Magic Johnson Bearbrick receipt was for the trading cards. I gave him 3 pieces of paper

[Special K]

Originally Posted by Tr1ll

Didn't know made in USA is duty free. Did you mention off the bat that whatever you bought is made in the USA, or only when they send you inside and you're talking to whoever is collecting payment. I think I could have gotten away with paying taxes on my last $300ish of purchases....

Duties and sale taxes are separate things. I have never been charged duties in the past 5 years but plenty of times for GST/PST

[68style]

Both guys I got were younger probably like 30

[MG1]

I spent the day in Seattle yesterday. People who complain about traffic here in the GVRD, need to spend rush hour in Seattle. What a fucking gong show.

I also learned an important lesson yesterday - don't use navi via phone connection. I have full cell and data in the US, but it was a fucking nightmare. I'm going to dust off the old Garmin and update the maps from now on. GPS is way more reliable than Internet.

I was looking for the Oberto Factory Outlet. The one I used to go to pre covid, on Rainier Avenue closed down, so the one in Renton was what I was trying to find. As I was literally going around in circles, I found the Ikea. Go in there and looked for the bistro. Dude by the order kiosk is like, "Welcome and congratulations. You are the first person to use our self serve kiosk." He was so pleased to help me out. I had to burst his bubble and told him, "No thanks, I'm good. We've had this system up in Canada for over a year, maybe two." As I was about to order my two veggie hot dog combo, I noticed the price. WTF? $3.95?? It's $2.50 CAD for the exact same thing. Come to think of it, the majority of food in the US is more expensive. And, as I recall, tap with credit cards in the US was another technology where they were behind. Anyway, went to the Daiso in the mall where Seafood City is at. What a waste of time. Went to the Uwajimaya and Kinokuniya later and price of everything was way more than what you see at Fujiya. Kinokuniya was amazing though. If you have kids who are into BTS and JPop stuff, that's the place to go. Lots of anime stuff, as well.

Anyway............. hit up all the casinos between the border and the US. All casinos are now non smoking. I even went to the newly renovated Casino in Marysville. Quil Ceda Creek Casino. Owned by the same people who run the Tulallip. https://www.quilcedacreekcasino.com/NewQCCCasino Angel of the Winds have also stepped up their game. What a difference. I haven't been to the casinos in close to three years. The Skagit Casino was pretty lame compared to the other casinos in the area. Really, a casino that opens at 9:00 am?

[EvoFire]

I've gotten away with some of the most unexplainable things.....

I bought a full suspension refresh for my MS3, $1300 worth of parts and my trunk was full. Waved through.

I bought a laptop for my sis-in-law. $800, waved through.

I bought some DWS06 for my Mini, $450, taxed but no duty.

I bought new discs and pads for the MS3, $400, my brakes were squealing through the border box. Got laughed at, waved through.

Bought some random Amazon on sale junk, got taxed.

Bought a really cheap laptop for a friend, $300, got taxed.

Crapshoot.

[roastpuff]

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/corona...-ban-1.5711610

Well, tests are back en vogue now. It was good while it lasted.

Canada is once again requiring all incoming travellers, regardless of trip length or location, to provide proof of a pre-arrival negative molecular COVID-19 test in order to enter the country, and is ending its travel ban on 10 African countries.

The federal government announced Friday that the updated pre-arrival testing requirement will come into effect on Dec. 21.

This means that as of next Tuesday, all travellers coming back into Canada after trips of 72 hours or less to the United States or other international locations will have to take a PCR test in a country other than Canada, before their scheduled departure.

[Gh0stRider]

Originally Posted by MG1

I spent the day in Seattle yesterday. People who complain about traffic here in the GVRD, need to spend rush hour in Seattle. What a fucking gong show.

I also learned an important lesson yesterday - don't use navi via phone connection. I have full cell and data in the US, but it was a fucking nightmare. I'm going to dust off the old Garmin and update the maps from now on. GPS is way more reliable than Internet.

I was looking for the Oberto Factory Outlet. The one I used to go to pre covid, on Rainier Avenue closed down, so the one in Renton was what I was trying to find. As I was literally going around in circles, I found the Ikea. Go in there and looked for the bistro. Dude by the order kiosk is like, "Welcome and congratulations. You are the first person to use our self serve kiosk." He was so pleased to help me out. I had to burst his bubble and told him, "No thanks, I'm good. We've had this system up in Canada for over a year, maybe two." As I was about to order my two veggie hot dog combo, I noticed the price. WTF? $3.95?? It's $2.50 CAD for the exact same thing. Come to think of it, the majority of food in the US is more expensive. And, as I recall, tap with credit cards in the US was another technology where they were behind. Anyway, went to the Daiso in the mall where Seafood City is at. What a waste of time. Went to the Uwajimaya and Kinokuniya later and price of everything was way more than what you see at Fujiya. Kinokuniya was amazing though. If you have kids who are into BTS and JPop stuff, that's the place to go. Lots of anime stuff, as well.

Anyway............. hit up all the casinos between the border and the US. All casinos are now non smoking. I even went to the newly renovated Casino in Marysville. Quil Ceda Creek Casino. Owned by the same people who run the Tulallip. https://www.quilcedacreekcasino.com/NewQCCCasino Angel of the Winds have also stepped up their game. What a difference. I haven't been to the casinos in close to three years. The Skagit Casino was pretty lame compared to the other casinos in the area. Really, a casino that opens at 9:00 am?

Yes, I sat on the highway going 10 kms/hr for 20 miles. It was fucking horrible.

I've got multiple offline GPS maps. Google, sygic and maps.me
I make sure to keep them updated

[MG1]

Well, I got my fill of items from Oberto, Trader Joe's, Winco, Costco, etc. Couldn't find any Hostess Chocodiles, but other than that, I'm all good. Didn't order anything on-line 'cause I knew shit could get, well, shitty again.

Got three more bottles of Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo from Trader Joe's. With the on going hair loss, it should last me a good ten years, lol.

Enough Oberto pep sticks and landjager for at least two years. About the time they hit their expiry date. I guess it's back to expensive Canadian tofu. I got enough House Organic tofu from Costco in Bellingham. Enough to last me a month and a half. They're close to half the price we pay for tofu from here. Just as good, if not better.

Hopefully, things will get better in a few months.

[MG1]

Wait............... Dec 21st? Goddamnit, I'm going for one last border run.

[Gh0stRider]

Yes, Tuesday. I'm headed down tomorrow.

[twitchyzero]

TJ already cleared out? heard parking lot was already full on a thursday mid day before xmas break

[underscore]

Originally Posted by MG1

And, as I recall, tap with credit cards in the US was another technology where they were behind.

They lagged wayyyyy behind with chip and pin too.