US/Canada Border Patrol
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US/Canada Border Patrol
When it comes to enter the US/Canada border on average how long does it take to get across the border when you're entering the busy freeways? It is also my understanding that they have to search your vehicle to see if there are any weapons, drugs as well as fruit and vegetables, what time of day/night would you recommend for me arrive at Canada so I can avoid the busy rush?
Post Fiend
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From: Eastern WA
You might want to note exactly what border crossing you want to use. North of me, there is virtually no wait at the border; on the other hand go 300 miles west of here then take I-5 north of Seattle and on the wrong day and you might wait four hours. Vehicle searches are random. Been there, done that, and if it happens to you the way it did me then you will have the fear of God in you until you leave. It almost seems like the US border patrol doesn't want us to go up there 
.
.
Last edited by CowboyBilly9Mile; Jan 23, 2006 at 05:26 AM.
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I've crossed at 7 different points, across the country, and there's really no way of knowing. Having a passport helps, but even then you never know. The major points, like Vancouver, Niagra and Calispel (sp?), ME can be lined up with traffic. The smaller points will have less traffic, but the guards detain you a little longer, if you aren't local.
The longest for me was 5 hours, the shortest was about 10 seconds.
The longest for me was 5 hours, the shortest was about 10 seconds.
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You also MUST have proof of citizenship. Either a passport or an original birth certificate. An original is one with a raised seal, not a photocopy.
While they may not ask for it, if they do ask you must have it or you can be denied entrance, either into Canada or back into the US.
While they may not ask for it, if they do ask you must have it or you can be denied entrance, either into Canada or back into the US.
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They have their regular questions and they have set up questions.
Where do you live ?
What is the nature of your travel ?
Why are you coming to Canada (BC has tons of Marijuana) careful how you answer ?
Do you have any Firearms ? is a big one
Do you have over $10,000 cash on you ?
Just look them in the eye and answer truthfully *with respect* and you shouldn't have any problem.
One thing about crossing the border and where.
Most border guards will wonder why you drove another 20 miles to a *small out of the way* crossing of you live near a major one.
You live somewhere in Washington.
There are so many crossings into Canada from there you should have a problem.
Blain/Peace Arch
Peace Portal
Cloverdale
Sumas
Where do you live ?
Where do you live ?
What is the nature of your travel ?
Why are you coming to Canada (BC has tons of Marijuana) careful how you answer ?
Do you have any Firearms ? is a big one
Do you have over $10,000 cash on you ?
Just look them in the eye and answer truthfully *with respect* and you shouldn't have any problem.
One thing about crossing the border and where.
Most border guards will wonder why you drove another 20 miles to a *small out of the way* crossing of you live near a major one.
You live somewhere in Washington.
There are so many crossings into Canada from there you should have a problem.
Blain/Peace Arch
Peace Portal
Cloverdale
Sumas
Where do you live ?
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I live in Walla Walla, Washington, if I were to go to Vancouver BC I would try to arrive at the border during the night time hours to where there's less traffic.
Originally Posted by Mil1ion
They have their regular questions and they have set up questions.
Where do you live ?
What is the nature of your travel ?
Why are you coming to Canada (BC has tons of Marijuana) careful how you answer ?
Do you have any Firearms ? is a big one
Do you have over $10,000 cash on you ?
Just look them in the eye and answer truthfully *with respect* and you shouldn't have any problem.
One thing about crossing the border and where.
Most border guards will wonder why you drove another 20 miles to a *small out of the way* crossing of you live near a major one.
You live somewhere in Washington.
There are so many crossings into Canada from there you should have a problem.
Blain/Peace Arch
Peace Portal
Cloverdale
Sumas
Where do you live ?
Where do you live ?
What is the nature of your travel ?
Why are you coming to Canada (BC has tons of Marijuana) careful how you answer ?
Do you have any Firearms ? is a big one
Do you have over $10,000 cash on you ?
Just look them in the eye and answer truthfully *with respect* and you shouldn't have any problem.
One thing about crossing the border and where.
Most border guards will wonder why you drove another 20 miles to a *small out of the way* crossing of you live near a major one.
You live somewhere in Washington.
There are so many crossings into Canada from there you should have a problem.
Blain/Peace Arch
Peace Portal
Cloverdale
Sumas
Where do you live ?
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I would not wanna wait 4 hours just to get across the border, what time of day do you recommend for me to avoid the long wait.
Originally Posted by CowboyBilly9Mile
You might want to note exactly what border crossing you want to use. North of me, there is virtually no wait at the border; on the other hand go 300 miles west of here then take I-5 north of Seattle and on the wrong day and you might wait four hours. Vehicle searches are random. Been there, done that, and if it happens to you the way it did me then you will have the fear of God in you until you leave. It almost seems like the US border patrol doesn't want us to go up there .
.
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Elder User
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Are they really? I don't think that they should get too picky about the convicted criminals over the border but I guess that they do have their reasons.
Originally Posted by 924x2150
The canadians have access to US criminal history also. They are picky about letting convicted criminals over the border. Misdemeanors included.
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What do you recommend for me to use between a original birth certificate or a passport?
Originally Posted by Casey
You also MUST have proof of citizenship. Either a passport or an original birth certificate. An original is one with a raised seal, not a photocopy.
While they may not ask for it, if they do ask you must have it or you can be denied entrance, either into Canada or back into the US.
While they may not ask for it, if they do ask you must have it or you can be denied entrance, either into Canada or back into the US.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 740
Likes: 2
At the smaller points on average how long would they detain you for?
Originally Posted by Howdy
I've crossed at 7 different points, across the country, and there's really no way of knowing. Having a passport helps, but even then you never know. The major points, like Vancouver, Niagra and Calispel (sp?), ME can be lined up with traffic. The smaller points will have less traffic, but the guards detain you a little longer, if you aren't local.
The longest for me was 5 hours, the shortest was about 10 seconds.
The longest for me was 5 hours, the shortest was about 10 seconds.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
Likes: 2
From: Eastern WA
Originally Posted by Dariand1
I would not wanna wait 4 hours just to get across the border, what time of day do you recommend for me to avoid the long wait.