Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Woodland Caribou Provincial Park :: Don't touch my bags Mr Customs man
|
Author | Message Text | ||
McVacek |
|
||
nctry |
|
||
ZaraSp00k |
quote ECpizza: "Thanks. I'Falls/Ft. Francis has always been a more friendly crossing for me, I find the Canadian border dudes at Ft. Francis friendly enough to ask for advice on where to eat, get fishing license , ... the guys & gals at Emerson or Thunder Bay have held me up the last 3 times I've crossed. I've never had a problem getting back in. I guess everyone has their own experience. |
||
hobbydog |
quote McVacek: " Most interesting question we are asked every time is our professions..... Still wondering what they are looking for with that question!? :) " They are looking for a truthful answer. The reason they have you hold up before you drive forward is to punch your license plate in. The plate owners info pops up and that includes place of employment. |
||
ECpizza |
I'm in the US, and heading into Canada. My questions are about border crossings, food, and first aid. My wife wants me to bring back blueberries, and it hit me that that may not be legal, which got me thinking about my food pack. I Like to pack all my food and everything before I leave home. Am I gonna run afoul crossing the border with food(including some fresh)? And that got me thinking of my first aid kit. I always cary prescription pain killers... Not a jumbo sack, just 10 - 20 pills. A 'valid' prescription may be something else. (And that reminds me to try and get an Epi-pen prescription for my first aid kit.). I got rid of the pharmacy bottle a while ago. |
||
hobbydog |
|
||
gnegard |
I go across the border with my packs at least twice a year and have never had a problem. Going into Canada. Usually it takes about 3 minutes. Border agents always seem to be nice and friendly. They ask me where, how long and why I'm going. I like to clip by Ontario Outdoor Card to my passport. Obviously, it shows them, I've been up there before, and you could say I'm a frequent crosser.. So to speak. Coming into the States again, can be another issue. I've had my packs gone thru, gear all spread out, searching for who knows what? One time, I came back a few days early, and I made the mistake of telling the agent that. The weather had been terrible, and my gear was wet. Well, one guy decided or he was bored, and would give me the once over. Packs were dumped, engine hood was opened, and I sat there for almost an hour. After finding nothing, he came back with my bottle of aspirin, and asked what they were. Aspirin? Like the bottle says. At that point I got a little pissy, and asked what he was looking for, or was he just harassing me. After, emptying my pockets, he let me go. I no longer cross the border at that place. Also, never had a problem coming or going since then. |
||
Marten |
I have noticed the last few years that the crossings have become much faster and easier. Some say the tourist industry has pushed for this but maybe all the new techie stuff is doing more of the work. |
||
FOG51 |
|
||
ECpizza |
It has always been easier going into Canada than returning home. Border control is quirky at best. Back in 99 I was up in International Falls working, and crossed back and forth to Fort Francis several times, and never experienced more than a friendly wave from both the Canadians and the US side. Another time at Grand Portage the US agent grilled us. Wanted VERY specific answers. "USA" was not acceptable, had to be "United States of America"... among others. I'll check the link. Thanks |
||
HansSolo |
quote ECpizza: "It has always been easier going into Canada than returning home. " That's also been my experience. With a canoe or two strapped to the roof of my car, and portage packs in the back seat, the intent of my visit to Canada seems fairly obvious. This may account why I haven't been troubled by Canadian Customs when entering Canada. Whereas U.S. Customs generally seems more inquisitive upon my return. Hans Solo |
||
jcavenagh |
|