boarder crossing

[seattleknights]

I am in the process of arranging visiting a sp in the near future. My question is: What should I be aware of when crossing the boarder?

Is a drivers license enough? It used to be.

Are there times of day where crossing lines are especially hectic?

Am I required to say Eh? Sorry about that one (big Doug and Bob McKensie fan).

Thank you all for your input. The board has already been very helpful in narrowing down my choices, and I look forward to being able to contribute my first review very soon.

Thanks Again

 

[HugeHerbie]

No sweat

First I am older, so keep that in mind.... I have had no problems showing my DL: and retired govt. ID. I say I am going up to play tourist for the day/night, say I'll be there less than 12 hours and have never been asked to pull into imigrations/customs. Coming back I show same, and have again never been given a bit of scrutiny beyond the norm.
I suppose if you said "I'm coming to Canada to screw some women" you might not be welcomed with open arms.
Act like a mature, responsible adult and you should have no problems.

 

[Fotura]

Hi SK,

You will need two pieces of ID, one must be a picture ID and the other must indicate your citizenship. For us our license and birth certicate is adequate to go down. A passport will do as well.

When you come, the busiest times are your typical rush hours. In the morning after 7 and around 5 in the afternoon. It will vary depending on the days as well but that's usually safe if you work around those times.

You'll be asked why you are visiting, where you are going and how long you will be here. Unless you do something to draw attention to yourself you should be fine. Being nervous is normal so don't worry.

Have fun.

 

[glasweg]

I cross the border a couple times a year (last in November).
Follow this thread:
http://63.117.148.60/forum/posts/89222.html
Take your passport (If you don't have one get one).
I made multiple trips in the late 70's early 80's to the Vancouver strip clubs (and 19yo drinking age!) with nothing but a WaState Driver's License (and a few 20's).
Times have changed.
Regards,
Glasweg.

 

[Kev]

The border patrol these days are assholes. So to play it safe if you have a passport bring it. They may not ask, but if they do.............HELLO...........SHHHHPLING.................there it is. Some of the guards can be quite nice.........but others..........need a karate chop to the head. --- Kev

 

[rickoshadows]

You will probably have an easier time coming north than you will have returning south.

rickoshadows

 

[The Happy Tapper]

SeattleKnights:
Check your Private Messages

 

[dittman]

have your 2 pieces of id dl birth cerificare, they will assk you some dumb questions when they ask if you are going to leave anything behind try not to smile to big but it is actually pretty painless, unless you do it on a sat. late morning early afternoon, then ypu plan on about a 2 hour wait min. However if you do it mon-thur. no wait at all. And if they ask you if your going to leave something in canada try not to smell to big.

 

[daddywarbucks]

I haven't crossed the border for a year. The last time was after a trip to Australia (Air Canada had the best fare). Even though I had gone thru customs and imigration in Honolulu, and the entry was stamped on my passport, I was subjected to a body search, half of my car was torn apart and not only was my luggage emptied, it was x-rayed two or three times. By the way I am a 60 plus year old white resident of the USA. When I ask why I had to go thru this 2.5 hour ordeal, I was told that my lucky number came up for a total search.

This type of action "really makes me feel safe".

DWB

 

[delacar]

In regards to yor uestion Seattle Knights,your drivers license and birth certificate are sufficient forms of ID. If you have a passport bring it, this seems to be the form of identification that immigration officials on both sides of the border like best.

 

[seattleknights]

"Its better to know before you go"

That applies to the boarder and the sp's. Thanks for the input. This board is like a big public service announcement.

It all sounds like not much of a problem (no full body cavity search mentioned, thats a plus).

 

[Massagegirl]

Re: lucky number

On my last trip arriving in Cancun a rude Mexican couple butted in front of me, running into my shins with their cart just loaded with suitcases in the process, and pressing "the button", they got the red light instead of me! ROTFLMAO! Watching the guy hump a huge wardrobe onto the inspection table made me not mind customs inspections too much.

But the Americans look like the gestapo next to the Mexicans!! (And the Canadians are acting tough after they let the terrorists pass through!) So I recommend not only leaving the weed at home but not even taking a car that may have had weed smoked in it! ie if you let junior borrow the car on sat nights!

 

[Titaniumeh]

Very straightforward:

Bring your passport and drivers licence. A limited amount of cash and other questionable items such as alcohol or cigarettes will make your entry a lot easier.

 

[carlotta]

Identification Requested Was...

B.C. Driver's Licence & a Birth Certificate... I got red flagged because I did not have my... Birth Certificate!!! Grrrrrrrr... But let me share a story w/you... I get told "Go Inside Miss" What? Oh great... Away I go... I am sitting there, w/4 other people... 2 of which are very young boys... *W* One of which is really quite LOUD... I am listenin' to them both (What is there else to do???) They bring the boys to the counter & LOUDLY inform them that they have found Weed in their ski boots - - they were headed to Whistler... ???!!! The border officer asks the Kid... Why man, when you are headed to the Drug Renowned Place i.e. Whistler did you bring your own weed? ... ((Wait for this Arrogant American KID's answer...)) Dude!!! I would never smoke CANADIAN weed man!!! I kid you not... Word for word... The border patrol officer could not stop laffin' Well DUDE you won't be having that choice much longer... You are skiing here Enjoy Washington state... I was passed on thru... HAH carlotta

 

[AsianBrother]

Some pointers:

1. Keep eye contact.
2. Don't fidget.
3. Be respectable and courteous - answer the questions in a straight-forward manner and don't be a smart-ass.
4. Drugs - I wouldn't have any near you for a good while before entering the country - there are sniffer dogs around and if you're only up here for awhile, US Customs might pick up on it and pull you over...
5. ID - Make sure your ID is good and you have 2 pieces...

I had a friend who was a Canadian Customs Officer who told me that she had a lady from Florida come to her booth...when she asked the standard question "What's your country of citizenship?" the lady answered, "Florida" and of course, Florida is not a country... so she asked her again and this lady started becoming beligerent so she sent her off to get "examined" and by this time, that lady was so pissed off that she was yelling and screaming at the officers that they just turned her around and sent her back to that great country of Florida...