Border rant

[87112]

Bought some merchandise yesterday in Van. Coming back to USA I told them what I bought, its made in Taiwan. The guy at the booth spends 15-20 mins on the screen looking up how much duty to pay than arrives at no answer. So he sends me in, which was going to happen ANYWAY since its the people inside who inspect what you bought and figures it out. So why on earth do you do double duty and make cars wait for no reason. He writes me up on a slip and sends me in and I repeat the process again waiting while they look up how much to pay.
NO wonder USA customs are seen as dolts.
Lines were not short since its the holidays.

 

[badbadboy]

Bought some merchandise yesterday in Van. Coming back to USA I told them what I bought, its made in Taiwan. The guy at the booth spends 10-15 mins on the screen looking up how much duty to pay than arrives at no answer. So he sends me in, which was going to happen ANYWAY since its the people inside who inspect what you bought and figures it out. So why on earth do you do double duty and make cars wait for no reason.
NO wonder USA customs are seen as dolts.

They are in both directions.

Coming back last month the Canadian CBSA got another agent to check out around and under my car. Noticing some nice red parts, I was pulled into secondary to plead innocent over parts installed on my car in 2013.

"Well, they sure looked new to us"

Thanks for adding an additional 90 minutes to my journey

 

[wetnose]

If you do about a trip a month, I highly recommend getting the NEXUS card. Totally worth it.

 

[yazoo]

Not sure if I've told this story here before, but anyway...

Had a truck driver friend who was returning to Canada empty. When the woman asked him what he was transporting, he answered 'sailboat fuel'. She spent 5 minutes on her computer before asking for help. Her 'help' laughed - and told buddy to get the fuck out of there.

 

[87112]

I think Border agent must be a great job. Probably outstanding pay, benefits, and never face a layoff cause this region is booming in population.

 

[Lo-ki]

We were coming back from golfing and they asked if we were briging anything back.
My dumbass friend replied..."Yes ...GRASS"
Finally crossed after a 2 hr search.

 

[westwoody]

My dumbass friend

Oh God that's a lesson I have learned the hard way. Do not take anyone with a big mouth.

 

[wetnose]

Oh, they LUV smartasses and any verbal references to 'drugs', 'explosives', or other contraband - gives them all the 'reasonable cause' they need to spend an intimate few hours with you and your possessions....

BD

I heard of a cameraman who was fired from his job after joking about a bomb at an airport screening.

 

[HunkyBill]

GENERALLY, the CBSA agent will have you only pay for PST and GST. However, due to the Xmas and Black Friday sales, they are getting more stringent. Technically, they should be charging you the duty and additional levies and whatnot if the item you are bringing in is outside the NAFTA zone and you are over your exemption. Many people have been very lucky in the past and bringing in hundreds of dollars worth of goods, declaring them, and having them waived through. Having a Nexus card has no advantages in this regard. For more info on what you are allowed to bring into Canada see here: http://travel.gc.ca/returning/customs/bringing-to-canada/personal-exemptions-mini-guide

 

[zippy45]

who the fuck jokes around with CBSA, do you purposely travel with the stupidest people you can find

 

[Aesthetics>all]

I got held at the Sumas crossing for 3hrs after I had picked up some clothes at ship happens before hitting mission raceway, he saw drag tires and smelled race gas blend, didn't believe I was on my way to a track. I avoid crossing the border unless absolutely necessary now.