Here’s one of my border crossing stories. So I’m going through the border and as usual my sis and I stop at the duty free. I see vodka on sale like 2 bottles for something like $12 US. Well, I’ll never see a price like that here in Toronto so I’m in. Not that this Asian woman ever drinks anything but weak fuzzy navels. So I get to the booth guy and he asks me if I have anything to declare. I happily say, “yes, 2 bottles of Vodka!” He then informs me that the limit I can bring in is only 1 bottle. I just stare at him and say, “but they were 2 for $12”. I know my sis can’t take it back with her so I’m scanning the next car to see if they want it. I would have given it to the border agent but that wouldn’t look good. I’m thinking I’ll have to dump it. After an excruciating pause that seemed like a half hour but was probably 2 minutes, he says he’ll let it go this time. So I made it through with my 2 bottles that sat unopened for about 4 years. They were eventually used at a party and I didn’t drink a drop of it. Now I ask you, why would the duty free sell vodka 2 for $12 when they know I can only bring in one? I don’t understand how duty free works.
@@Tipper1941 It's really Duty Free with limits. You can bring up to 1.14L of liquor (basically 1 bottle) or 2 bottles of wine with you if you've been away for more than 48 hours. So that 1st bottle is duty free, but you would have to pay duty on that second bottle. No idea how much the duty tax is though.
Hey I’ve got some really great news to share with you, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on a cross and resurrected on the third day so you may all have eternal life. If you believe and repent of your sins and put your faith and trust in Him as you would a parachute jumping off a plane at 25000 feet up in the air, He will give you eternal life in heaven as a free gift and I promise you, He will change your life forever as He did mine. He is the ONLY way to heaven and He loves you all. Please think deeply about this with urgency because this is your eternal life and soul, you don’t know when you could die, meaning you could die at any moment, so please consider this with all your heart. If anyone tells you that Jesus isn’t the only way, they are lying to you and they don’t care about your future.
Please tell me if I'm wrong, but I had a video of check points while traveling in the US, I thought it was one of urs, but it's not on here anymore.? How do I find the video of all the variable check points? Going to Florida from Texas taking the kids Disney.
American here. I wanted to do a HelpX work exchange position, but I did not plan properly. Everything was done in haste, and I didn't have proper documentation at the Canadian border, so I got turned away. Fast forward to 3 years later: I made plans to visit a friend in Canada, rented a car had those rental papers to show the officer at the border, had my friends address and phone, money in cash and a debit card - the whole 9 yards. The officer asked a lot of questions out of order, going back to my overseas travel. I got in with no problem. I went back to Canada in 2020 for the Quebec Carnaval. Loved it! I have no complaints about Canadian Border Security.
So in 2019 I went to Florida via the Buffalo airport to see my parents. Had a personal laptop on me and pulled up to the Rainbow Bridge crossing. Which should be renamed, there is nothing happy or magical about the people at that crossing. Could tell the border agent was already in a bad mood and out for blood. Asked my citizenship, etc. Then asked what I do for a living, told him i'm a web developer for an agency in Canada. He asked what I was bringing into Florida, I said "luggage". He said "whats luggage", and I said "clothes, and a laptop." He then asked me if the laptop was for personal or work use, and I said personal, and he told me to "prove it". I was kinda taken aback and said "well, its my laptop not a company laptop?" and he said "well technically you could still do work on it, no?" At which point I realized that no matter what I said, this guy didn't want me coming in. I said "technically yes, but I don't use it for work its my personal laptop". He then went on this huge diatribe about how if I was a plumber and pulled up in a plumbing truck, would he not have a right to be suspicious that I was going to try and do plumbing work in the USA? Which is completely different than my situation, but arguing with a border agent is a bad idea. He asked me a bunch of other questions to try to "catch" me for some other reason, and spent a long time on his computer (probably looking for any past charges, criminal record etc) at which case he told me I had to turn around and bring my laptop home and come back without it, and I was "banned" from bringing any electronics into the USA. I just drove to another border crossing, explained the situation and they let me in no problem. Guy was on a power trip!
Hey I’ve got some really great news to share with you, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on a cross and resurrected on the third day so you may all have eternal life. If you believe and repent of your sins and put your faith and trust in Him as you would a parachute jumping off a plane at 25000 feet up in the air, He will give you eternal life in heaven as a free gift and I promise you, He will change your life forever as He did mine. He is the ONLY way to heaven and He loves you all. Please think deeply about this with urgency because this is your eternal life and soul, you don’t know when you could die, meaning you could die at any moment, so please consider this with all your heart. If anyone tells you that Jesus isn’t the only way, they are lying to you and they don’t care about your future.
What I've learned crossing the border. 1. Be polite, they don't need a reason to deny you admission, so don't act like they're annoying you or infringing on your rights. They're just doing their job. 2. Answer the questions asked, if they have a follow-up, they'll ask. 3. Do not answer any question that was not asked of you. If the guard asks a passenger, let them answer the question. 4. Regardless, of what you are going to be doing, when asked, you're always a tourist, you're not going to help a buddy work on his roof or his car, you're a tourist and are going to do some sightseeing and maybe some shopping. 5. Never volunteer any information and don't try and be funny.
I like with a couple of qualifiers: #4 is a very bad idea if you're going over for work, like meeting clients and the like. Just say you're going across for work. #5 Making small jokes is a non-issue. Making smartass jokes, that could get you in trouble.
@@kevwwong Thanks for the input. But without a work permit, you'll be denied entry. If you have a green card you're golden but, as far as my experience is concerned, anyone else will be denied entry. I worked with the largest express courier company in the world and, when going to the States, I was going for training and meetings.
@@paulthibeault1886 I worked on a TN for about 8 years - half of that for a legacy airline - so I have an idea of what you're talking about. I should qualify that by "work", I did not mean work directly for an employer, but as a representative of a company located in Canada. This qualifies me as a business visitor under the New NAFTA, so there's no visa application required
@@kevwwong I appreciate what you are saying but it is clear that we have two very different experiences. The time I spent in the U.S. "Training" was in a very secure express sorting facility that processed 4 million shipments in an 8-hour period. This facility was patrolled by both Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection and all foreigners were expressly prohibited from touching anything with the threat of arrest and deportation. I could direct, discuss, instruct, and allocate a resource, but I could not directly prevent an incorrect action or touch any piece of freight. I needed to go through a supervisor to have them do that.
@@paulthibeault1886 Very different! Also a bit fascinating! What you're describing is, to be honest, atypical compared to most people that need to cross the border for business. But I think that does explain your need for the work permit.
When they say “Anything to declare?” the wrong answer is “War”. They don’t find that funny. Responding again with “Afraid you’ll lose again?” is definitely wrong. 😂
I have so many stories about crossing the border between US and Canada, but the most memorable one was when a CBP officer had locked my keys inside my car at secondary... It tooks them two years to reimburse me the towing fees!
Canadian wrong 80% are now Indian thanks to trudeau for votes. Usa officers are awesome coming back home, our canadian officers 9 yards with questions..
I find if you have an itinerary to tell them it's less hassle. Also don't play on your phone even if he or she isn't talking to you. If you're vague then you're asking for trouble. Don't give them attitude either (they deserve it but dont). You just have to think of it as a game play by their rules. I used to be on an ego trip and argued with them I learnt my lessons. And no matter what you say they can randomly search your car. If you have nothing to hide don't worry about it, they're just wasting your time.
I have a more difficult time getting back into Canada than I do driving into the U.S. Our customs officers seem to be more strict than the Americans,...which feels backwards 😂
Someone needs to tell the canadian officers that subjectively, more people want to come live in America than they do Canada. Everytime i go the canadian officers are so uptight im like oh no what are you gonna do, deport me back to the USA? Idiots
I agree! In my experience the Canadian crossing guards are twice as serious than the American ones. Though there was one time while entering the U.S.A., I was told to pull over for an inspection because of my Mom and passenger began an argument among themselves while I was talking with the agent at the booth! Unreal, eh?
I got randomly stopped leaving Canada and when they asked us if we we had any fruit, veggies or other food to declare my drunk friend says "JUST THE FOOD IN MY BELLY AND IT WAS GOOOOOODDD!" I swear the boarder guy was going to not let us go back home as he just stared at us for 10 seconds and then he said "Ok. I cant tax that, take your drunk friend home and get him sobered up."
When they asked you “why you decided to live in Canada?” (I’m a duel citizen) Do not say it’s because you love Socialism. They don’t find that funny! 😬
A number of years ago, I drove to visit my brother in Boston. At the border in Vermont, they decided to make me pull over and go into the border office for a random check. As I entered the office, the US border guy said to me, "How are we doing today?" I said, "I was doing fine until I got pulled over for no reason." The guy said to me in a terse voice, "Don't start!" so I figured that it would be better to just play along and not complain anymore.
I used to do trips over TI Bridge to Brockville to go to the Manitonna ( gentlemen's club). 1st time over ( 1980's) I stumbled with answer to why a car full of guys were crosiing the border. Finally told we were going to the strip club. officer said have a good time
One time I went to Chicago for Christmas to see my aunt, my mom had in the back empty cannolis and in her purse a bag of powdered sugar. Imagine if they searched us and thought it was cocaine LMAO.
My then fiancé was crossing with my mother-in-law to check out wedding dresses. When my mother-in-law told the officer who it was that was getting married, in a stone-cold voice he responded to my mother-in-law: "Did you tell her not to do it?"
If you are a citizen of Canada or the USA you have to be really careful crossing the border, if you are from anywhere else you can just walk right in, no questions asked.
It can be easier if you cross in a line with other cars than if you cross late at night with no traffic. If youre the only one trying to cross, they might get bored and ask you 20 questions and even get their coworkers involved. That happened to me crossing border at 9 pm when there were no other cars. 4 agents questioned me and searched car, they let me go 30 minutes later after getting asked questions by 3 different agents. My guess was that they used me for training purposes. Even the head agent did a background check, very annoying.
That is correct - as a rule, the less traffic there is, longer the "crossing the border" process may take. However, at those times when there are numerous long line ups of cars, and it may take a half hour to finally get to the front of your line - do not, repeat, DO NOT express any dissatisfaction with the amount of personal time it is taking for you to get through this process! (You may be immediately directed to proceed - "to Bay #1 for further inspection"!)
I haven't been to Canada in over 20+years after being detained at the US entry point while riding with a friend. She apparently unknowingly had a missing person's report on her so they pulled us over. To make things worse, they inspected her car and found an empty weed baggie inside of her recently installed subwoofers. I guess whoever installed them had been smoking weed and dropped the baggie in there. It contained a small crumb inside and they swore that we were trying to traffic drugs. We were detained for about 4hrs before they eventually let us back into the USA. Ever since then I was like fuck going to Canada. SMH 😂
Once I was recognized when crossing the border. I do a fair amount of theater and have done shows in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse so I thought maybe that was it. After talking to the border guy for a minute turns out he shops at the grocery store where I used to work. (Sad trombone) Still crazy small world because that store is no where near the border and he just drives really far for work.
I think I held up the line at the Ambassador Bridge last week for a couple of minutes because the CBP officer and I started talking baseball. Point being, just be honest, and things will go smoothly.
brought tons of vegetables and fruit over the border MN/MB, but it's because the nearest grocery store to where we stay in MB is in the USA. we always tell the USA agent we're going to get groceries, and tell the Canadian agent we got groceries. never a problem.
I actually went to Canada the first time last month, (Vancouver) with my wife. After customs I was walking through and the security guard checked my passport. He was huge, like 6’ 5 +, tattoos, looked like Roman Reigns. I said “hey Man U look like a wrestler” “he goes excuse me?” Let’s say I’m lucky I got outa that one cuz the dude looked like he wanted to fight.
Years ago, on the CBC series, 'Street Cents', with co-host, Jonathan Torrens, he went across into the United States, and when he returned, the customs agent asked, 'Anything to declare', and his response was, 'Yes, I had I nice day'. Don't do that in real life, I wouldn't. I would first try to know exactly what is required of me, and be focused, but casual, and pleasant. Great video, take care, and send our best to Jason, too.
I have a couple buddies from Ottawa who often come to the US. They will actually drive a further distance because they know which borders are easiest and which ones are toughest to go through. Personally, I have been across the Ambassador Bridge with no problems when going into Canada. I have never returned to the US without being harassed and after waiting in traffic for an hour.
Came back from Buffalo 2 days ago crossed the border to Canada 3 days in a row CBP were extremely professional and nice coming back home to US was a different story 😑
The first thing I would never do as a America is go to Canada. last time I was there I was 8 years old my mom and dad took me to see Niagara falls and that was the 80s lol.
Yes, things are sure different over here in Canada - for instance one might assert: "The last thing I'd ever do...", instead of: "The first thing I'd never do..."! (Must be some kind of English issue of translation/comprehension!)
#4 never cross the border with extra meds! I was going to Virginia to stay on a bird sanctuary for 6 months. I have asthma so brought 6 months worth of inhalers with me . I had to have a letter from my dr saying I needed them and they were legit
We accidentally crossed into Canada… We were on a long road trip from Texas and we took a wrong turn and ended up in line for the border. There wasn’t a turn around spot… at all. We got to the booth and tried to tell them we just wanted to turn around. Worse part was that we had been in an accident earlier that day crossing a bridge to Niagara so we were in a rental car… texas id’s… New York truck… crammed with all of our stuff. Yaaa…. It ended up fine and we got to see Canada’s side of the falls for a couple hours. And fortunately we didn’t get arrested on the way back into the states. Kinda wild
I once was going into the US they thought I wanted to live there LOL. So we drove back to Kitchener where I was living and brought bills with me and rent reciepts. No I dont want to live there I love Canada
Pretty sure I could start a RUclips channel just based on my experiences crossing the border. The time I said to the US Agent that his lack of knowledge was “result of that fine Amurican education” before I could stop myself. Yeah, fun crossing that day. Or the time when the Agent asked my English cousin what people eat in England to which my cousin replied “small children” … this was after an query about the ‘burger royale’ … ‘did you mean ‘Royal with cheese’ … another fun cross 😂
Back in the early 80's we were taking a Greyhound down to see my uncle, as they just had their first child. My parents had brought alot of lychee fruit for the occasion. When we got to the border, we had to bring everything to be examined. All the fruit that was on the table was confiscated much to the chagrin of my parents, but unbeknownst to the border officers my parents had put a couple bags on the floor because there wasn't enough room on the table. They slyly pushed the bags along the floor as we advanced and we were back on the bus. I being the clueless kid didn't notice any of that, but they recounted the story to my aunt and uncle when we got to their town. I guess it's a good thing the border officers didn't notice, otherwise we might have all been cooling our heels in a cell
@@madelynstorms4609 I find it changes every time I cross. Sometimes I feel like I am going to get denied entry into the U.S., other times I feel like a criminal trying to return to my home country. :D
Just returned to Canada after visiting Australia to see family for a month. The customs for international arrivals changing to domestic flights at YVR Vancouver Airport was so quick. It is like the CBSA hates line ups -- dozens of kiosks and super well-organized with the declaration submission being by ArriveCAN app.
I'm canadien and i go to NY every month... I have a special medical record on my passport so even if they try to provoke or get me to say something bad... they aren't to happy if you involve the gouverment.
When I’d visit my mom Ontario I would always be taken and interrogated due to my criminal record which is one mistermeanor weed charge for 1 gram they treated me like an international criminal every damn time 😂
You should be permitted to bring an avocado into Canada as they don’t grow here but taking it into the states well that is different.same as citrus fruit, ok to take it north but not into the states. Have had those trick questions too, citizen of what country….Canadian. DOH!
Before 9/11 there was no problem crossing this border. All you needed was a state/province driver's license or fed/state/province ID card in your pocket at all times in case you got stopped by LE. Simple times back then. After 9/11 we got that dreaded Homeland Security with their military tactics... They don't need to be so heavy handed against neighbors where the border crosses. 😡 Neighbors will weed out bad actors on both sides. The one thing I learned that you cannot get into Canada if you don't posses the proper papwerwork to get back into the USA. Canadian customs are far more lenient than USA customs, except for that one issue.
Only time I have ever declared anything at a border was when I was a kid flying from Scotland back to Canada (I had been in Scotland to visit family). Back then it was still paper slips. I filled mine out and declared I had nuts. Border agent looked really surprised when she looked at it. But after I explained "My chocolate bar has nuts in it." They looked so relieved and circled it in Sharpie marking it "OK".
The canadian and US customs on the land border don't care about your travel record. In most of the times they ask where are you going how long will you stay. On the way back they ask how long you been gone and for how much did you buy this crossing the USA 🇺🇸 Canada 🇨🇦 border by car 🚗 or the Greyhound bus 🚌 but its a different situation with the organized bus 🚌 trip with the group.
My experience with the 3rd one is that it depends on the type of work. I work as a college baseball coach in the US, but the past couple summers I’ve coached in a college summer baseball league in Canada (SK/AB). I had a friend in tha league who was a HC of a rival tried to cross & got turned around when he mentioned he used to coach in pro ball. They made him get a visa to re-enter and was quickly allowed in. I rolled up to the same port of entry, said I was working in SK for the summer. Got pulled to secondary. They grilled me about the type of work, and basically hammered home I was working with amateur athletes, had a letter that our GM gave us explaining the visa exemption statutes (seasonal work & working with amateur athletes), showed them my contract, gave them my billet’s info & showed them my bank account proving I could sufficiently take care of myself. Got cleared on a visitor’s record, and was on my way. Whole thing was a couple hours. Last time, same thing. Got pulled in, gave them a copy of the league letter, and was given a visitor’s record again since I already had a file with CBSA. In & out within 30 mins tops.
I’m an American, my wife is Canadian. Before I had residency in Canada, after we got married, I had gone to stay with her for a few months. When I had to come home she accompanied me. Upon questioning at the border, we told the truth. The American border control agents told us we needed to pull over and us and the taxi driver were questioning for hours, all because I told the truth and they took away from that truth that my wife was attempting to illegally immigrate to the US
I got my car checked because I just mispronounced the name of one syllable of the restaurant I was going (pronounced it I think too French). They ain't playing around they will not hesitate to make you wait outside for an hour to make sure you are not telling lies
2 fun encounters....How long are you staying? About an hour. ---- Son was in C. working with a drum corps, sleeping in a gym for a few days. Someone stole his keys. Had to run spare keys to him. The other one was when our kids were small and all sleeping in the back, we were heading back to the states. Guard just said, with a smile," ah, just get those kids home to bed". We used to go up to Canada often. Too old now.
Dick’s Sporting Goods had a really good deal on some golf clubs. So my son & I went across the border to look at the clubs. The clubs were very well priced, so my son bought a set. On our way back when asked if “we bought anything”. My son told the Border guard what he ought and showed him the receipt. He made my son open the trunk and show him the clubs. I expected a trip to secondary. Turns out he just wanted to look at the clubs because they were a good deal. He said he would look for my son at the golf course.
Returning to the US from Canad we were asked where we lived. We both answered with the US city and state we lived in. I guess I said oot or aboot because he then asked citizenship. At which point I said Canadian and presented my green card. I think he doesn't ask where you live anymore.
Don't go in the Nexus line. In the morning crossing into Detroit at the bridge I went to the left like I do in the afternoon, they had it all Nexus on that side. That happened in 2015 and we still talk about it.
No meats at all. worse than fruits and vegetables, at least from other nations than the US, from the US as long as its labelled properly and it depends on the meat, chicken is more sketchy for example.
We once drove back from Buffalo with 1 whole tray of pop ( Target shawpin ). “Anything to declare” - Tray of pop in the back seat. Border officer - “Pull over”. They proceeded to take apart my car 😂 I guess they couldn’t possibly believe we didn’t buy only 1 item. It was kinda fun to watch them search for nada 😂😂😂
Same, but with mail I ordered from within Canada to the post office in Blaine Washington. They thought I was on drugs and smuggling guns and drugs. They were the Canadians. Wtf? I'm Canadian too, boys, fuckin' relax.
I feel like #2 is treated as the worst offence 😅🤷🏻♂️🥑
Here’s one of my border crossing stories. So I’m going through the border and as usual my sis and I stop at the duty free. I see vodka on sale like 2 bottles for something like $12 US. Well, I’ll never see a price like that here in Toronto so I’m in. Not that this Asian woman ever drinks anything but weak fuzzy navels. So I get to the booth guy and he asks me if I have anything to declare. I happily say, “yes, 2 bottles of Vodka!”
He then informs me that the limit I can bring in is only 1 bottle. I just stare at him and say, “but they were 2 for $12”. I know my sis can’t take it back with her so I’m scanning the next car to see if they want it. I would have given it to the border agent but that wouldn’t look good. I’m thinking I’ll have to dump it. After an excruciating pause that seemed like a half hour but was probably 2 minutes, he says he’ll let it go this time. So I made it through with my 2 bottles that sat unopened for about 4 years. They were eventually used at a party and I didn’t drink a drop of it. Now I ask you, why would the duty free sell vodka 2 for $12 when they know I can only bring in one? I don’t understand how duty free works.
@@Tipper1941 It's really Duty Free with limits. You can bring up to 1.14L of liquor (basically 1 bottle) or 2 bottles of wine with you if you've been away for more than 48 hours. So that 1st bottle is duty free, but you would have to pay duty on that second bottle. No idea how much the duty tax is though.
Hey I’ve got some really great news to share with you, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on a cross and resurrected on the third day so you may all have eternal life. If you believe and repent of your sins and put your faith and trust in Him as you would a parachute jumping off a plane at 25000 feet up in the air, He will give you eternal life in heaven as a free gift and I promise you, He will change your life forever as He did mine. He is the ONLY way to heaven and He loves you all. Please think deeply about this with urgency because this is your eternal life and soul, you don’t know when you could die, meaning you could die at any moment, so please consider this with all your heart. If anyone tells you that Jesus isn’t the only way, they are lying to you and they don’t care about your future.
Please tell me if I'm wrong, but I had a video of check points while traveling in the US, I thought it was one of urs, but it's not on here anymore.? How do I find the video of all the variable check points? Going to Florida from Texas taking the kids Disney.
American here. I wanted to do a HelpX work exchange position, but I did not plan properly. Everything was done in haste, and I didn't have proper documentation at the Canadian border, so I got turned away. Fast forward to 3 years later: I made plans to visit a friend in Canada, rented a car had those rental papers to show the officer at the border, had my friends address and phone, money in cash and a debit card - the whole 9 yards. The officer asked a lot of questions out of order, going back to my overseas travel. I got in with no problem. I went back to Canada in 2020 for the Quebec Carnaval. Loved it! I have no complaints about Canadian Border Security.
So in 2019 I went to Florida via the Buffalo airport to see my parents. Had a personal laptop on me and pulled up to the Rainbow Bridge crossing. Which should be renamed, there is nothing happy or magical about the people at that crossing. Could tell the border agent was already in a bad mood and out for blood. Asked my citizenship, etc. Then asked what I do for a living, told him i'm a web developer for an agency in Canada. He asked what I was bringing into Florida, I said "luggage". He said "whats luggage", and I said "clothes, and a laptop." He then asked me if the laptop was for personal or work use, and I said personal, and he told me to "prove it". I was kinda taken aback and said "well, its my laptop not a company laptop?" and he said "well technically you could still do work on it, no?" At which point I realized that no matter what I said, this guy didn't want me coming in. I said "technically yes, but I don't use it for work its my personal laptop". He then went on this huge diatribe about how if I was a plumber and pulled up in a plumbing truck, would he not have a right to be suspicious that I was going to try and do plumbing work in the USA? Which is completely different than my situation, but arguing with a border agent is a bad idea. He asked me a bunch of other questions to try to "catch" me for some other reason, and spent a long time on his computer (probably looking for any past charges, criminal record etc) at which case he told me I had to turn around and bring my laptop home and come back without it, and I was "banned" from bringing any electronics into the USA. I just drove to another border crossing, explained the situation and they let me in no problem. Guy was on a power trip!
Wow that’s wild !
Hey I’ve got some really great news to share with you, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, died on a cross and resurrected on the third day so you may all have eternal life. If you believe and repent of your sins and put your faith and trust in Him as you would a parachute jumping off a plane at 25000 feet up in the air, He will give you eternal life in heaven as a free gift and I promise you, He will change your life forever as He did mine. He is the ONLY way to heaven and He loves you all. Please think deeply about this with urgency because this is your eternal life and soul, you don’t know when you could die, meaning you could die at any moment, so please consider this with all your heart. If anyone tells you that Jesus isn’t the only way, they are lying to you and they don’t care about your future.
Was it the Queenston-Lewiston border crossing you went to after Niagara wouldn’t let you in?
That’s so stupid tbh
You can tell whenever somebody's never had any power over anything, they get a little bit and the power goes right to their head!!
What I've learned crossing the border.
1. Be polite, they don't need a reason to deny you admission, so don't act like they're annoying you or infringing on your rights. They're just doing their job.
2. Answer the questions asked, if they have a follow-up, they'll ask.
3. Do not answer any question that was not asked of you. If the guard asks a passenger, let them answer the question.
4. Regardless, of what you are going to be doing, when asked, you're always a tourist, you're not going to help a buddy work on his roof or his car, you're a tourist and are going to do some sightseeing and maybe some shopping.
5. Never volunteer any information and don't try and be funny.
I like with a couple of qualifiers:
#4 is a very bad idea if you're going over for work, like meeting clients and the like. Just say you're going across for work.
#5 Making small jokes is a non-issue. Making smartass jokes, that could get you in trouble.
@@kevwwong Thanks for the input. But without a work permit, you'll be denied entry. If you have a green card you're golden but, as far as my experience is concerned, anyone else will be denied entry. I worked with the largest express courier company in the world and, when going to the States, I was going for training and meetings.
@@paulthibeault1886 I worked on a TN for about 8 years - half of that for a legacy airline - so I have an idea of what you're talking about.
I should qualify that by "work", I did not mean work directly for an employer, but as a representative of a company located in Canada. This qualifies me as a business visitor under the New NAFTA, so there's no visa application required
@@kevwwong I appreciate what you are saying but it is clear that we have two very different experiences. The time I spent in the U.S. "Training" was in a very secure express sorting facility that processed 4 million shipments in an 8-hour period. This facility was patrolled by both Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection and all foreigners were expressly prohibited from touching anything with the threat of arrest and deportation. I could direct, discuss, instruct, and allocate a resource, but I could not directly prevent an incorrect action or touch any piece of freight. I needed to go through a supervisor to have them do that.
@@paulthibeault1886 Very different! Also a bit fascinating!
What you're describing is, to be honest, atypical compared to most people that need to cross the border for business. But I think that does explain your need for the work permit.
When they say “Anything to declare?” the wrong answer is “War”. They don’t find that funny. Responding again with “Afraid you’ll lose again?” is definitely wrong. 😂
😅😅
If Australian immigration asks for criminal convictions DON'T reply with "I didn't know that was still a condition to enter Australia"
I have so many stories about crossing the border between US and Canada, but the most memorable one was when a CBP officer had locked my keys inside my car at secondary... It tooks them two years to reimburse me the towing fees!
Oh no !!
Wow
Canadian wrong 80% are now Indian thanks to trudeau for votes. Usa officers are awesome coming back home, our canadian officers 9 yards with questions..
I find if you have an itinerary to tell them it's less hassle. Also don't play on your phone even if he or she isn't talking to you. If you're vague then you're asking for trouble. Don't give them attitude either (they deserve it but dont). You just have to think of it as a game play by their rules. I used to be on an ego trip and argued with them I learnt my lessons. And no matter what you say they can randomly search your car. If you have nothing to hide don't worry about it, they're just wasting your time.
I have a more difficult time getting back into Canada than I do driving into the U.S. Our customs officers seem to be more strict than the Americans,...which feels backwards 😂
Someone needs to tell the canadian officers that subjectively, more people want to come live in America than they do Canada. Everytime i go the canadian officers are so uptight im like oh no what are you gonna do, deport me back to the USA? Idiots
I agree!
In my experience the Canadian crossing guards are twice as serious than the American ones.
Though there was one time while entering the U.S.A., I was told to pull over for an inspection because of my Mom and passenger began an argument among themselves while I was talking with the agent at the booth! Unreal, eh?
I got randomly stopped leaving Canada and when they asked us if we we had any fruit, veggies or other food to declare my drunk friend says "JUST THE FOOD IN MY BELLY AND IT WAS GOOOOOODDD!" I swear the boarder guy was going to not let us go back home as he just stared at us for 10 seconds and then he said "Ok. I cant tax that, take your drunk friend home and get him sobered up."
Number one. Do not try bringing any guns into Canada. They are much more serious about your guns than about your fruit.
When they asked you “why you decided to live in Canada?” (I’m a duel citizen) Do not say it’s because you love Socialism. They don’t find that funny! 😬
Probably better to tell them you're a patriotic spy attempting to sabotage the country.
How u got dual citizenship in canada 🇨🇦 and usa 🇺🇸 can u pls tell me that.?
@@mohamedkamaludeen1 easiest way is being born in the states then living in Canada for 5 years
A number of years ago, I drove to visit my brother in Boston. At the border in Vermont, they decided to make me pull over and go into the border office for a random check. As I entered the office, the US border guy said to me, "How are we doing today?" I said, "I was doing fine until I got pulled over for no reason." The guy said to me in a terse voice, "Don't start!" so I figured that it would be better to just play along and not complain anymore.
Captain Obvious salutes you.
I used to do trips over TI Bridge to Brockville to go to the Manitonna ( gentlemen's club). 1st time over ( 1980's) I stumbled with answer to why a car full of guys were crosiing the border. Finally told we were going to the strip club. officer said have a good time
Ha! I didn’t know Americans would come across the Thousand Island bridge to go to the Manitonna 😂No strip clubs on your side?
@@sheilaenglish3293Not in Watertown there isn’t. 😂 There’s barely nothing to do here. 😅
One time I went to Chicago for Christmas to see my aunt, my mom had in the back empty cannolis and in her purse a bag of powdered sugar. Imagine if they searched us and thought it was cocaine LMAO.
My then fiancé was crossing with my mother-in-law to check out wedding dresses. When my mother-in-law told the officer who it was that was getting married, in a stone-cold voice he responded to my mother-in-law: "Did you tell her not to do it?"
Hello Im here to try your big mac and nuggets
Hahaha yes !
They so strict for no reason
Would you let a random stranger with a knife and gun into your house? Would you let a registered sex offender into your house?
@@pingpong3311not unless you’re a migrant, they can just walk right in.
If you are a citizen of Canada or the USA you have to be really careful crossing the border, if you are from anywhere else you can just walk right in, no questions asked.
It can be easier if you cross in a line with other cars than if you cross late at night with no traffic. If youre the only one trying to cross, they might get bored and ask you 20 questions and even get their coworkers involved. That happened to me crossing border at 9 pm when there were no other cars. 4 agents questioned me and searched car, they let me go 30 minutes later after getting asked questions by 3 different agents. My guess was that they used me for training purposes. Even the head agent did a background check, very annoying.
That is correct - as a rule, the less traffic there is, longer the "crossing the border" process may take.
However, at those times when there are numerous long line ups of cars, and it may take a half hour to finally get to the front of your line - do not, repeat, DO NOT express any dissatisfaction with the amount of personal time it is taking for you to get through this process!
(You may be immediately directed to proceed - "to Bay #1 for further inspection"!)
I haven't been to Canada in over 20+years after being detained at the US entry point while riding with a friend. She apparently unknowingly had a missing person's report on her so they pulled us over. To make things worse, they inspected her car and found an empty weed baggie inside of her recently installed subwoofers. I guess whoever installed them had been smoking weed and dropped the baggie in there. It contained a small crumb inside and they swore that we were trying to traffic drugs. We were detained for about 4hrs before they eventually let us back into the USA. Ever since then I was like fuck going to Canada. SMH 😂
Once I was recognized when crossing the border. I do a fair amount of theater and have done shows in Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse so I thought maybe that was it. After talking to the border guy for a minute turns out he shops at the grocery store where I used to work. (Sad trombone) Still crazy small world because that store is no where near the border and he just drives really far for work.
Hahah wild!
I think I held up the line at the Ambassador Bridge last week for a couple of minutes because the CBP officer and I started talking baseball. Point being, just be honest, and things will go smoothly.
brought tons of vegetables and fruit over the border MN/MB, but it's because the nearest grocery store to where we stay in MB is in the USA. we always tell the USA agent we're going to get groceries, and tell the Canadian agent we got groceries. never a problem.
On the WA/BC border, having a strip of gum in your pocket or a half drunk bottle of pop puts border control all in a frenzy. 😅
I actually went to Canada the first time last month, (Vancouver) with my wife. After customs I was walking through and the security guard checked my passport. He was huge, like 6’ 5 +, tattoos, looked like Roman Reigns. I said “hey Man U look like a wrestler” “he goes excuse me?” Let’s say I’m lucky I got outa that one cuz the dude looked like he wanted to fight.
Years ago, on the CBC series, 'Street Cents', with co-host, Jonathan Torrens, he went across into the United States, and when he returned, the customs agent asked, 'Anything to declare', and his response was, 'Yes, I had I nice day'.
Don't do that in real life, I wouldn't. I would first try to know exactly what is required of me, and be focused, but casual, and pleasant.
Great video, take care, and send our best to Jason, too.
That’s hilarious.
Border guards are the new gazpacho.
Marjorie? Is that you, Marjorie?
I have a couple buddies from Ottawa who often come to the US. They will actually drive a further distance because they know which borders are easiest and which ones are toughest to go through.
Personally, I have been across the Ambassador Bridge with no problems when going into Canada. I have never returned to the US without being harassed and after waiting in traffic for an hour.
Came back from Buffalo 2 days ago crossed the border to Canada 3 days in a row CBP were extremely professional and nice coming back home to US was a different story 😑
The first thing I would never do as a America is go to Canada. last time I was there I was 8 years old my mom and dad took me to see Niagara falls and that was the 80s lol.
Yes, things are sure different over here in Canada - for instance one might assert:
"The last thing I'd ever do...", instead of:
"The first thing I'd never do..."!
(Must be some kind of English issue of translation/comprehension!)
They caught me with weed and gave me a search ban for seven years I still go back, but every time they make me look like a fool first 😂.
#4 never cross the border with extra meds! I was going to Virginia to stay on a bird sanctuary for 6 months. I have asthma so brought 6 months worth of inhalers with me . I had to have a letter from my dr saying I needed them and they were legit
Their goes any controlled substances
We accidentally crossed into Canada… We were on a long road trip from Texas and we took a wrong turn and ended up in line for the border. There wasn’t a turn around spot… at all. We got to the booth and tried to tell them we just wanted to turn around. Worse part was that we had been in an accident earlier that day crossing a bridge to Niagara so we were in a rental car… texas id’s… New York truck… crammed with all of our stuff. Yaaa….
It ended up fine and we got to see Canada’s side of the falls for a couple hours. And fortunately we didn’t get arrested on the way back into the states. Kinda wild
I once was going into the US they thought I wanted to live there LOL. So we drove back to Kitchener where I was living and brought bills with me and rent reciepts. No I dont want to live there I love Canada
Pretty sure I could start a RUclips channel just based on my experiences crossing the border. The time I said to the US Agent that his lack of knowledge was “result of that fine Amurican education” before I could stop myself. Yeah, fun crossing that day. Or the time when the Agent asked my English cousin what people eat in England to which my cousin replied “small children” … this was after an query about the ‘burger royale’ … ‘did you mean ‘Royal with cheese’ … another fun cross 😂
Hahaha oh boy
Yes a video of the avocado story! 😁
Back in the early 80's we were taking a Greyhound down to see my uncle, as they just had their first child. My parents had brought alot of lychee fruit for the occasion. When we got to the border, we had to bring everything to be examined. All the fruit that was on the table was confiscated much to the chagrin of my parents, but unbeknownst to the border officers my parents had put a couple bags on the floor because there wasn't enough room on the table. They slyly pushed the bags along the floor as we advanced and we were back on the bus. I being the clueless kid didn't notice any of that, but they recounted the story to my aunt and uncle when we got to their town. I guess it's a good thing the border officers didn't notice, otherwise we might have all been cooling our heels in a cell
😂😂 avocado can send u to jail 😅
I’m from Buffalo and Canadians don’t play at their border. Canadians are the nicest people I’ve ever met though😊
😀🇨🇦🇺🇸
Weird I’m also from Buffalo and I feel like the opposite. Canadians are fine, it’s the Americans who are super serious.
@@madelynstorms4609 I find it changes every time I cross. Sometimes I feel like I am going to get denied entry into the U.S., other times I feel like a criminal trying to return to my home country. :D
@@Majerly_Annoyedthey're playing good cop bad cop😂 and they must take turn 😂😂
Do not try be be funny and joke about ANYTHING. They are not joking around kinda dudes
this is basic..been crossing since i was 15...ust chill and take some clothes
Just returned to Canada after visiting Australia to see family for a month. The customs for international arrivals changing to domestic flights at YVR Vancouver Airport was so quick. It is like the CBSA hates line ups -- dozens of kiosks and super well-organized with the declaration submission being by ArriveCAN app.
If it’s for a church they’re fine with the work part
I'm canadien and i go to NY every month... I have a special medical record on my passport so even if they try to provoke or get me to say something bad... they aren't to happy if you involve the gouverment.
When I’d visit my mom Ontario I would always be taken and interrogated due to my criminal record which is one mistermeanor weed charge for 1 gram they treated me like an international criminal every damn time 😂
Nowadays just walk right in. Oh wait your a legal citizen so its a federal crime for us
I lived in niagara falls ny forever and I moved from there about an hr from Buffalo to Wyoming cou ty..niagara falls is not safe bc of the crime
Am I legal to bring a DirecTV system?
AVOCADO STORY PLEASE!!!❤️
And never tell them, on both sides, that yoy have alcohol! I don't know why, but they are crazy about this one!🤣🤣🤣
? but you are allowed to have 2 bottles of wine
Upside, he doesn't have to go to Buffalo for 5 years.
They beat me up for having nothing in my car
You should be permitted to bring an avocado into Canada as they don’t grow here but taking it into the states well that is different.same as citrus fruit, ok to take it north but not into the states. Have had those trick questions too, citizen of what country….Canadian. DOH!
Since when are fruits and vegetables so dangerous?
How about crossing the border between North Korea 🇰🇵 and South Korea 🇰🇷?
Sucks to be them
I mean, I don't think I could lie about being Canadian anyway since they check my passport lol
"You're a citizen of what country?"
"Canadian."
I can't imagine this exchange ever acting as a gotcha
Wife mother almost went to jail over a orange slice. Lol
Before 9/11 there was no problem crossing this border. All you needed was a state/province driver's license or fed/state/province ID card in your pocket at all times in case you got stopped by LE. Simple times back then. After 9/11 we got that dreaded Homeland Security with their military tactics... They don't need to be so heavy handed against neighbors where the border crosses. 😡 Neighbors will weed out bad actors on both sides. The one thing I learned that you cannot get into Canada if you don't posses the proper papwerwork to get back into the USA. Canadian customs are far more lenient than USA customs, except for that one issue.
Only time I have ever declared anything at a border was when I was a kid flying from Scotland back to Canada (I had been in Scotland to visit family). Back then it was still paper slips. I filled mine out and declared I had nuts. Border agent looked really surprised when she looked at it. But after I explained "My chocolate bar has nuts in it." They looked so relieved and circled it in Sharpie marking it "OK".
The canadian and US customs on the land border don't care about your travel record. In most of the times they ask where are you going how long will you stay. On the way back they ask how long you been gone and for how much did you buy this crossing the USA 🇺🇸 Canada 🇨🇦 border by car 🚗 or the Greyhound bus 🚌 but its a different situation with the organized bus 🚌 trip with the group.
Always scary crossing the border. I’m one of the most boring adult males in America and I still get nervous every time. 😅
My experience with the 3rd one is that it depends on the type of work. I work as a college baseball coach in the US, but the past couple summers I’ve coached in a college summer baseball league in Canada (SK/AB). I had a friend in tha league who was a HC of a rival tried to cross & got turned around when he mentioned he used to coach in pro ball. They made him get a visa to re-enter and was quickly allowed in.
I rolled up to the same port of entry, said I was working in SK for the summer. Got pulled to secondary. They grilled me about the type of work, and basically hammered home I was working with amateur athletes, had a letter that our GM gave us explaining the visa exemption statutes (seasonal work & working with amateur athletes), showed them my contract, gave them my billet’s info & showed them my bank account proving I could sufficiently take care of myself. Got cleared on a visitor’s record, and was on my way. Whole thing was a couple hours.
Last time, same thing. Got pulled in, gave them a copy of the league letter, and was given a visitor’s record again since I already had a file with CBSA. In & out within 30 mins tops.
I’m an American, my wife is Canadian. Before I had residency in Canada, after we got married, I had gone to stay with her for a few months. When I had to come home she accompanied me. Upon questioning at the border, we told the truth. The American border control agents told us we needed to pull over and us and the taxi driver were questioning for hours, all because I told the truth and they took away from that truth that my wife was attempting to illegally immigrate to the US
My dad once told a CBA agent that he was bringing some oranges back home to Florida.
The agent did laugh, but the oranges weren't cleared 😉😮
I got my car checked because I just mispronounced the name of one syllable of the restaurant I was going (pronounced it I think too French). They ain't playing around they will not hesitate to make you wait outside for an hour to make sure you are not telling lies
2 fun encounters....How long are you staying? About an hour. ---- Son was in C. working with a drum corps, sleeping in a gym for a few days. Someone stole his keys. Had to run spare keys to him. The other one was when our kids were small and all sleeping in the back, we were heading back to the states. Guard just said, with a smile," ah, just get those kids home to bed". We used to go up to Canada often. Too old now.
You can cross the boarder easily it’s huge 😂😂😂 I love going backpacking 😊 rookies
Dick’s Sporting Goods had a really good deal on some golf clubs. So my son & I went across the border to look at the clubs. The clubs were very well priced, so my son bought a set. On our way back when asked if “we bought anything”. My son told the Border guard what he ought and showed him the receipt. He made my son open the trunk and show him the clubs. I expected a trip to secondary. Turns out he just wanted to look at the clubs because they were a good deal. He said he would look for my son at the golf course.
And bringing an expired passport or fraudulent documents birth certificate for someone else.
not sure if you're bsing right there, they would never take you to jail just for bringing avocado, unless you're trying to smuggle a full truck load
I feel like you should have started with “magic show” and ended with “magic show”. And why isn’t “magic show” it’s own video.
Returning to the US from Canad we were asked where we lived. We both answered with the US city and state we lived in. I guess I said oot or aboot because he then asked citizenship. At which point I said Canadian and presented my green card. I think he doesn't ask where you live anymore.
Went to Canada with my brother's birth certificate the Canadian border guard didn't notice the US did
In America we have the 5th amendment to protect our silence , does canada not have something like this ?
Don't go in the Nexus line. In the morning crossing into Detroit at the bridge I went to the left like I do in the afternoon, they had it all Nexus on that side. That happened in 2015 and we still talk about it.
_Hello I’m here to try your Ninja Turtles pizza which is from New York_
So like if I brought wild blueberries or wild blueberry bushes would be illegal?
I never got screwed at the border although the last time i went up to Canada I saw some people get in trouble there.
I wanted to buy Guac from trader joes 😭 so I’m guessing that’s a no go? 😢
I brought grapes over the border on the pacific side but I was eating them at the time so they didn't say anything 😂
Working I get, but volunteering isn't allowed?
Any fee you have to pay when crossing at the rainbow bridge in Niagara Falls?
There are plenty countries to visit other than america.
Banned for 5 years is crazy wow they don’t play any games
Step out of the car soon
Mabe his friend take some drugs with him 😅
Got detained for trying to see The Weeknd
Easy way say you are going to the casino. 😂😂😂
That's why i don't want to go to other country
Love your videos!
Just like our southern borders 😢
Thanks
Can we bring plant leaves to canada
Can you bring meat across the border, and if so are there any duty fees you have to pay
No meats at all. worse than fruits and vegetables, at least from other nations than the US, from the US as long as its labelled properly and it depends on the meat, chicken is more sketchy for example.
Loved your E.R short, no words needed
Hi how are you bro
And eggs…
😂😂😂😂😂😂
I dont have a car and I have nexus interview coming up, can I cross 1 peace bridge on foot, your answer will be appreciated
Yes. With passport
SMELLS LIKE CANADA NEEDS SOME FREEDOM BOYS!
We once drove back from Buffalo with 1 whole tray of pop ( Target shawpin ). “Anything to declare” - Tray of pop in the back seat. Border officer - “Pull over”. They proceeded to take apart my car 😂 I guess they couldn’t possibly believe we didn’t buy only 1 item. It was kinda fun to watch them search for nada 😂😂😂
😅😂
Same, but with mail I ordered from within Canada to the post office in Blaine Washington.
They thought I was on drugs and smuggling guns and drugs.
They were the Canadians. Wtf? I'm Canadian too, boys, fuckin' relax.
They call them "soda" in the States...They probably thought you were referring to "bomb".