Official "Border Crossing" Thread
 

I cross into the US often. At least once a week, on average twice a week, and sometimes every two days, LOL.

I've noticed a sharp increase in cars heading down south the last few months, and since the media started to tell people that Canadian border guards weren't charging duties and taxes, it has gotten even worse.

I thought a thread to discuss border crossing would be a good idea.

Tips and tricks on when and where to go......

bargains, places to visit, shipping, laws of the land, speed traps, making the most of your trip, etc.

...Well...I'm waiting MG1 for your tips and tricks on when and where to go, bargains, places to visit, shipping, laws of the land, speed traps, making the most of your trip tips :troll:

I'll start off.

Cheapest place for a quick bite, if you're headed out to the Outlet Mall, Seattle, or beyond, is Angel of the Winds Casino. Gas prices there are pretty decent there too. My favourite is the strawberry shortcake for 99¢ and the shrimp cocktail for $1.49. Another favourite is the chilli and cheese fries for 99¢. Then there's the free pop and coffee throughout the casino and free milk at the same place you get the 99¢ deals (Katie's Kitchen).

Angel of the Winds - Foods and Beverages

You sign up for their card (Totem Card, LOL), you get $5 free slot play (pretty much standard at all casinos) and free coffee mug, 7 cents off per gallon at their 24/7 gas station.

The gas prices at the casino are about the same as that of Costco the next exit over, but being 24/7, it's a good alternative. Here's what kind of killed it for me, though.......... you cannot pay for your gas until you input your zip code. And no, 90210 doesn't work. Neither does 98295 (Sumas) or 98230 (Blaine), because it links with your credit card. Here's what I found out on a recent visit to their gas station. All you do is take the numbers in your postal code and add two zero's.

If your postal code is V4Y 2J6, your zip code would be 42600. Kind of cool. I wAnder if this works at other gas stations down south.

Angels of the Wind is about 3kms off the beaten path (north of I5 exit 210), but if you like cheap food and casinos like I do, it's worth it. Another reason I went to Angel of the Winds last time was, I thought only the Bellingham Costco checked for jerry can size. Apparently, all Costco gas stations check, including the one in Burlington. I took two 25 litre jerry cans with me. Washington law only permits vehicles to carry cans with capacity up to 22.7 litres. They will not allow you to fill up with that amount in a larger can. It has to do with the capacity of the can itself. So, Angel of the Winds gas station is Self Serve..... problem solved.

I'm working on it.........

thanks

I'm trying this, thanks :)

I'm off to Whidby island Tuesday, Swinomish Chevron is about the same as Costco. No zip code required at the pump.



Not sure CBSA is aware of this as of my return last Monday.

Tip: Nexus is a great investment
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Any recommendations for US sim cards?

Or should I just prepare for the roaming charges :fuckthatshit:

The Canadian border only waive the duty fees during peak hours

Seattle Premium Outlets has a sale IIRC...was there last week and pretty much every store was 40-50% off or BOGO

cool ^ took the 4th off to head down with le gf, guess im bringing like 1k cash :lawl:

Nexus has definitely paid itself off many times over

nexus...

went down to JUST pick up a ypipe,

the regular line up was 50mins long.

took me 5mins to get across the border, and 3mins to cross back. this was last long weekend!

a good trick is hitting up duty free on the way down if theres a big line up. Buy some water and chips and you can bypass a lot of cars.

As well Mi Mexico in Bellingham has killer Mexican food!!

I did that about a week and a half ago on a Thursday and still ended up waiting over an hour and 15 mins, probably saved about 15 mins. I guess many people are catching on to this

Nah, not so good anymore since everyone knows about it.
Nexus all the way.
Posted via RS Mobile

nexus ftw.

i went down on the long weekend when the line up at 7am was 3 hrs. i got through in 5-10 mins.

T-Mobile, prepaid card with data. just as for the $3 a day plan. data+voice for $3 a day only when u use it.
Unlt nationwide voice, unlt nationwide texting, unlt web (first 200MB / day at 4G speed then 3G after)

I have a Roam Mobility phone that I paid 50 bucks for. Anytime I go for more than a day in the States, I activate the phone. $3.00 a day unlimited calling to anywhere in US and Canada. I've used it a few times and it has been good. You can top off on line, which is convenient in case I decide to stay a little longer.

Some people have had issues, but for me, it has been very good. I guess the issue has been with people trying to use their iPhones. I just bought one of their no frills, el cheapo phones. No headaches, they set it up. It's not for everybody, but for guys like me who rarely call except for emergencies, it's good.

Travel Free from USA Roaming Fees - Roam Mobility

ROAM mobility

I still have the Nexus application sitting on my desk. I really should send it off.

I go across early in the morning, so there is no issue of line ups. There are times I'm stuck coming back. I usually listen to traffic radio 730 AM and cross where ever the line up is shortest.

264th is usually not bad, although it is not open 24 hours. Gives me an excuse to go get ice cream at Edaleen Dairy, LOL.

BTW, any of you guys been to the location in Lynden? Their official "Ice Cream Shoppe." Any place that spells shop, shoppe, has to be good, LOL.

On the topic of Lynden, Washington, it is a cute little town. Typical small town USA. Manicured lawns, white picket fences, majority white people - smiles and chuckles types with blonde hair, etc. Amercan flags in front of house. I love it. The town is obsessed with windmills. I think there are a lot of Dutch immigrants living there. Anyway, it's worth taking a side trip to Lynden, Washington......... about 10 minutes south of US/Canada border at the Aldergrove crossing (Guide Meridian).

T-Mobile is good too, $3 for unlimited data talk and text per day, but you'd have to buy your own sim card which I think is $20?

Thanks for the help guys.

I'll probably end up using Roam Mobility.

this!!!!!!

Premium Outlets shoppers should sign up for this:

https://www.premiumoutlets.com/vip/index.asp

Its free and you can get coupons. Some stores will accept the coupon on top of their current in-store promotions. For example, Puma had a 40% off in store promo last week and I got to use a 20% off coupon on top of that. It came to 52% off the total. (Note that you should try to use it even if the coupon says "cannot combine with other promos")
Posted via RS Mobile

^I've been a member for a couple of years and it's been good. The club membership is good for both outlets - Seattle Premium (Tulalip) and North Bend Premium.

Too bad I wear grandpa clothes, LOL.

................and only have 20 dollas in ma pocket.

Actually it's for all "Premium Outlets" in the States, you just choose the outlet you want coupons for.
I only learned of this membership last week but I've been going to the outlets for years lol

Posted via RS Mobile

you nexus guys... do you fill out that form every time you cross the border with purchased good? or do you just declare what you bought to the dude sitting at the booth?