Crossing the Canada/USA Land Border (1 Viewer)

[LinkyBabe]

Have any fellow Canucks crossed either the peace arch or truck crossing from Canada to the USA and back again in a day? I'm looking to pick up my chips from the Blaine PO in the coming days and I've checked out the gov.bc.ca website for what I'll need and I'm just curious if anyone encountered any hiccups along the way? I did search so apologies if this has been posted/answered somewhere.

 

[ktran]

In my one time experience, it's stricter going into USA than going out. They did inspect the car. If anything, I don't think they got the right to confiscate them if you decide not cross the border (I don't know the laws so IDK). In that case I don't think they mind it's not an insane amount. I think you should have the rights to turn back around if they don't allow it, but I don't know the laws fully. Depending on who it its, they probably don't even know the difference between consumer chips or casino chips. If it is a "large amount" it might be questionable.

 

[allforcharity]

I recently went back and forth across the Point Roberts border crossing. Technically speaking, you will need to show your federal proof of vaccination on your way down and still have your ArriveCan app information filled out for your return. The only thing that is different is that for trips less than 72 hours you no longer need a negative PCR test.

Having said that, when I offered to show my federal proof of vaccination to the US border agent on the way in, they weren't particularly interested in seeing it. And on the way back, the Canadian border services agent did not look too interested in my ArriveCan app, since he knew that I was only gone less than 30 minutes. They were much more interested in the amount of goods I was bringing back, whether I had any firearms, alcohol, tobacco, cash over $10000, etc., like they normally do.

 

[ktran]

I recently went back and forth across the Point Roberts border crossing. Technically speaking, you will need to show your federal proof of vaccination on your way down and still have your ArriveCan app information filled out for your return. The only thing that is different is that for trips less than 72 hours you no longer need a negative PCR test.

Having said that, when I offered to show my federal proof of vaccination to the US border agent on the way in, they weren't particularly interested in seeing it. And on the way back, the Canadian border services agent did not look too interested in my ArriveCan app, since he knew that I was only gone less than 30 minutes. They were much more interested in the amount of goods I was bringing back, whether I had any firearms, alcohol, tobacco, cash over $10000, etc., like they normally do.

May I ask how many chips in that situation?

 

[LinkyBabe]

I recently went back and forth across the Point Roberts border crossing. Technically speaking, you will need to show your federal proof of vaccination on your way down and still have your ArriveCan app information filled out for your return. The only thing that is different is that for trips less than 72 hours you no longer need a negative PCR test.

Having said that, when I offered to show my federal proof of vaccination to the US border agent on the way in, they weren't particularly interested in seeing it. And on the way back, the Canadian border services agent did not look too interested in my ArriveCan app, since he knew that I was only gone less than 30 minutes. They were much more interested in the amount of goods I was bringing back, whether I had any firearms, alcohol, tobacco, cash over $10000, etc., like they normally do.

Thanks for this... sounds like normal to me also. I've got all of my documentation ready, I was just curious about any curveballs. Much appreciated!

 

[LinkyBabe]

May I ask how many chips in that situation?

This isn't really a question about chips rather it's a question of other things I need to know with COVID-19 protocols.

 

[allforcharity]

May I ask how many chips in that situation?

Most recently, about 1300.

 

[LinkyBabe]

In my one time experience, it's stricter going into USA than going out. They did inspect the car. If anything, I don't think they got the right to confiscate them if you decide not cross the border (I don't know the laws so IDK). In that case I don't think they mind it's not an insane amount. I think you should have the rights to turn back around if they don't allow it, but I don't know the laws fully. Depending on who it its, they probably don't even know the difference between consumer chips or casino chips. If it is a "large amount" it might be questionable.

There will be no confiscating... I simply show the invoice and pay the taxman his money. I was more worried about a surprise cavity search.

 

[Mesnik44]

My wife and I passed through on Sat. Going down was no prob. Coming home from Blaine at the Pac.Hwy. crossing was a f*****g nightmare. Sat evening at 6pm they had 1 Nexus and 2 normal lanes opened. It took 2 hours to get from the underpass to the guard. And then, he had a million questions and was none to quick about it. He wrote us up for duties. We went in to pay and the lady laughed and told us to go on our way. Just make sure you fill out the arrive can app before getting to the border. If you have roaming, may I suggest hitting up Edaleen Diary on Peace Portal Way and using their WiFi. I found that my service also worked there and did not get charged for roaming.

 

[ktran]

My wife and I passed through on Sat. Going down was no prob. Coming home from Blaine at the Pac.Hwy. crossing was a f*****g nightmare. Sat evening at 6pm they had 1 Nexus and 2 normal lanes opened. It took 2 hours to get from the underpass to the guard. And then, he had a million questions and was none to quick about it. He wrote us up for duties. We went in to pay and the lady laughed and told us to go on our way.

what is "duties"?

 

[TheOffalo]

what is "duties"?

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/pdt-pdt-eng.html

 

[Mesnik44]

what is "duties"?

Taxes on goods brought into Canada

 

[allforcharity]

I'm never charged duties. Just GST and PST on the declared value of goods.

 

[bigredking]

Crossed the border from US to CAN and back at Peace Arch/Douglas a few weeks ago to play poker at Parq and stuff myself on good food. I can't recommend Nexus highly enough if you don't have it. Entry to CAN was much slower than return, about an hour or so even with Nexus (but worse without). Can skip the PCR test if < 72 hours I believe but still need a quarantine plan just in case and proof of vaccination to exempt from quarantine. With Nexus the return to US was less than one minute.

Don't forget to declare what you are bringing back across the border. A bit of tax if it exceeds your personal exemption is always preferable to being denied crossings or enhanced screening in the future.