Canadian Border problems.

Jacbs2007 · Post by **Jacbs2007** » February 6th, 2006, 6:08 pm

I've only ever left pennsylvania 1 or two times in my entire life so I'm new to all this Border/customs stuff. Is it Illegal to go over to canada and Trade items?

I drove 5 hours to Niagra Falls Ont, in hopes if trading my stereo system for a set of Rims and tires. I decided it'd be cheapest to drive and spend 30-40 bucks in gas and not have the wait, Rather then spend 150 in shipping and wait 2 weeks. At the Border they searched my car, put me in a little room with the see through mirror type window and Questioned me for atleast 45 minuts. How am I to get my stuff across the border to exchange it without shipping? and WHY is it illegal?

Thanks,
-Curt-

ariesdude · Post by **ariesdude** » February 6th, 2006, 6:17 pm

I am not sure about the laws - but it may not be illegal if you pay the proper duties i think - i mean if you are allowed buy/sell stuff online and have it shipped then you should be able to do the same in person IMO. Old people do it all the time for prescription drugs ... But i guess these laws are not made by normal people - maybe you need a export/import license or something. You should have just said that you are visiting a friend or touring canada or something instead of saying trade ....

Jacbs2007 · Post by **Jacbs2007** » February 6th, 2006, 6:24 pm

The funny thing is, that's exactly what I did.... The first thing they asked me when I pulled up to the booth and showed them ID was "do you have any items that you are selling or trading while in canada?" I got the idea that something about what I was doing was illegal after that.

I guess it doesn't look good to a customs officer if you try to cross the border to "visit a friend" with what they claimed to be*$1,000* worth of stereo equipment boxed up all nice and neat in your trunk. They then proceeded to search my car for drugs and test my blood-alcohol level.

-Curt-

jschrauwen · Post by **jschrauwen** » February 6th, 2006, 8:23 pm

Jacbs2007 wrote: I guess it doesn't look good to a customs officer if you try to cross the border to "visit a friend" with what they claimed to be*$1,000* worth of stereo equipment boxed up all nice and neat in your trunk. They then proceeded to search my car for drugs and test my blood-alcohol level.
-Curt-

The border inspectors/guards have heard every story in the book. Of course it's pretty suspicious that someone is just visiting a friend while carrying a lot of packaged electronics. Is it contraband electronics, stolen electronics, electronics for trade for drugs, etc .........? Honesty right off the bat is always the best way to start of with. Showing hard copies of your pre-arranged business transactions would have helped make your case. You are allowed so much $$$ per year wrt selling/buying. Since 9/11, if you give any border crossings the slightest bit of reason for doubt, you can almost be assured that you're going to get a good shakedown.

Jacbs2007 · Post by **Jacbs2007** » February 6th, 2006, 9:32 pm

So are you saying that if I would Get all my receipts together, original packaging and maybe warranty information etc. That there is a chance they would allow me to make the trade? I'll have to look into it but thanks for the tip...

Dali · Post by **Dali** » February 6th, 2006, 9:53 pm

i go across the border a couple times a year to pick stuff up, never had a problem aside from them checking the car over which takes about 10-15 minutes, i make sure i have copies off ebay to show what i bought. they do find it hard to beleive someone drives 7 hours to save $20 on shipping. just dont act nervous, keep the car clean with no garbage or bags in it. there should be no problem with taking stuff to trade, i have done this before as well. as long as you are not making tens of thousands of dollors off the deal. plus you are young, dont act like a a-- and you should have no problems.

Yoda · Post by **Yoda** » February 6th, 2006, 10:46 pm

I dated a CBSA agent for a short while. First off a young male travelling alone in a car will trip alarm bells in itself. This is a profile of drug mules. Many time going through a high traffic border crossing like Rainbow Bridge, Peace Bridge, Ambassador Bridge, Lacolle, Coutts/ Sweetgrass, Douglas (Peace Arch) crossing can make all the difference. For example if you live in the Harrisburg area try crossing at Thousand Island instead. They aren't as uptight as they would be at the busier port of entry. As mention before be up front from the start. Answer their question direct and to the point, without excessive detail. If they want more details they will ask for clarification. Often going into excessive detail will trigger flags as well.

monty73741 · Post by **monty73741** » February 7th, 2006, 4:55 pm

hey vaughn, i remeber a guy hank(2.5mx3) met up with you a few years ago & you helped him get a klze. They never said a word to him @ the boarder, but that was a pre 9-11 world

jason

Yoda · Post by **Yoda** » February 7th, 2006, 8:59 pm

I do remember him. I also recommended he take 81 to the 1000 islands port of entry rather than 87 to Lacolle. I don't know about the US guys sometimes though. Just after 9-11 a Saudi and an Egyptian guy I know had to go to Boston the day after the border reopened. We all thought they were nuts. Anyway at the border US customs was searching every carat that time. The woman searching the trunk freaked out when she found grapes which destracted the guys check the paper work so he never look at their passports or Visa's before waving them through.

monty73741 wrote:hey vaughn, i remeber a guy hank(2.5mx3) met up with you a few years ago & you helped him get a klze. They never said a word to him @ the boarder, but that was a pre 9-11 world

jason

Nd4SpdSe · Post by **Nd4SpdSe** » February 8th, 2006, 1:03 pm

I have a good story on this one.

About 2 years ago, I went to cross the borner to pick up my JDM ODM side skirts. I had already paid for them over the internet, I just needed time to actually drive to West Seneca to pick them up. I went over no problem, but as I same back, on the Canadian side, they asked me what i got, and I said I got side skirts for my car. He asked what I paid for them and I said nothing. He's like "Car parts for free, that doesn't sound right" to paraphrase. So he asked me to pull me over and they searched my car. tehy were nice about it and didn't give me any hard time. They asked me what was up and how I got them for free. I said that the guy got in an accident with his car (which he did) and that one of the side skirts were broken (which one was). The side skirts were at his dad's place (which they were) but the ownwer moved to Marryland (which he did) and that they just wanted to get rid of them (this part was a lie). They asked me what they were worth. I was smart enought to BS them. I was like $200 new, $100 used...broken, maybe $50. After they, they (where were 2 of them) looked at each over and told me I could go on my way. I never was so nervous but I couldn't believe the believable bulls--- I was able to pull off on the fly. I however will never do that again. Personally, I never go over to the states, and that was the very first time I've ever driven down in the US myself. I dont think I'll ever try that again.

My guess on what may happen, they may charge you taxes on the items your brining back. I'd be up front and honest, tell them your trading what for what, and be prepared to give a rough or exact value of the items. As previously mentioned, a record of the proposed transaction, as well as contact information for the tradee, cause they may contact him to verify your story.

JapesMooney · Post by **JapesMooney** » April 3rd, 2006, 12:24 am

Rather then relying on the opinions and stories of people' s experiences, it is always better to go to the source for correct information. Try here, http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/eservices/bis/bis2-e.html and use their email feature if you have any unanswered questions.
You should realize that the border people are not particularly concerned about you eveding a few dollars in GST payments, that's small change. They're worried that youre -
1. Transporting illegal substances
2. Transporting firearms to add to the already burgeoning gun related problems in Metro Toronto.
As such, if you don't have either drugs or guns, just answer their questions politely, and maybe pay a few buck in duty.
JP

Saucy · Post by **Saucy** » April 3rd, 2006, 2:01 am

a few months ago i went to canada to pick up my spare BP, along with igntion stearing rack, mx3 front and rear seats.. and dindt have a prob, when i was going itno canada they asked me waht my buisness was i said going to pick up an engine that i will be bringing back itno the states to rebuild for a friend and bringing ti back... and then he asked me like 10 diff times how i knew how to rebuild an engine lol....

but he let me go then i came back through with a full BP , 2 frotn mx3 seats and the rear mx3 seats teh igntion setup random locks and cables and the stearing rack all in teh back of my 323 lol.... didnt have any probs tho

projectmx · Post by **projectmx** » April 4th, 2006, 11:10 am

last month i went to canada and brought back the GTR All wheel drive train including full rear subframe and at the check point they went over my car asked what the parts were for where i got them how much i paid $900 and then they said go home and i didn't pay duty or anything so i totally don't understand how it all works