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ctcamper · 10-20-2012, 05:10 PM

Going into Canada at the Falls on the rainbow bridge the Canadian side won ( this time ) the we don't want you here go back home award.

One of the questions from the frowning young lady was:
What are you bringing into Canada?

That stumped me, I had the car which had normal stuff in it like fishing boots and bobbers, toilet paper, bug spray, window washer. etc... but I had no clue if she was looking for an itemized list or what she wanted to hear.
I thought a minute and answered something like nothing much, just the car and us.

Has anyone had this question and what did you say?

dennis45 · 10-20-2012, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctcamper

Going into Canada at the Falls on the rainbow bridge the Canadian side won ( this time ) the we don't want you here go back home award.

One of the questions from the frowning young lady was:
What are you bringing into Canada?

That stumped me, I had the car which had normal stuff in it like fishing boots and bobbers, toilet paper, bug spray, window washer. etc... but I had no clue if she was looking for an itemized list or what she wanted to hear.
I thought a minute and answered something like nothing much, just the car and us.

Has anyone had this question and what did you say?

We get funny questions going the opposite way in the US but one thing the CDN Border Guards are looking for is guns. They will cause you all kinds of problems.

Stillwater · 10-20-2012, 05:32 PM

One of the dumber questions I have gotten more than once is "Do you have anything in your vehicle you don't know about?" Best answer is to just bite your tongue and give them a one word answer which is "no".

Hooligan · 10-20-2012, 06:29 PM

We visited the falls (America side) right after Labor Day, great sightseeing. The Niagara KOA on Grand Island was convenient and close to the falls. We used the trolley to plan our excursion.
We wanted to visit Luna Island, right out over the falls but it closed 2 days prior for re-surfacing. Still plenty to see and the falls was beautiful.
The town itself was a bit desolate, seems the ecomomy has hit hard there. Did not try the border crossing...no hassles....

The America Falls and Luna Island in the foreground..

Horseshoe Falls from Goat Island
Again, we had a great time...

HappyCCRVr · 10-20-2012, 06:45 PM

The border guards on either side usually ask:
* Where do you live?
* Citizenship?

If you have a Canadian license plate, going to the US, they ask:
* Where are you going?
* What's the purpose of your trip?
* How long are you staying?
* Where were you born?
* Are you bringing any food?

If you have a Canadian license plate, coming back to Canada, they ask:
* How long have you been away?
* How much did you buy?
* Are you brining back Alcohol or cigarettes?

What the border guards are looking for, above all, is honesty. So they often ask question very quickly, and the quicker you answer the more likely they'll just let you pass. So know your answers, and listen "quickly".

HappyCCRVr · 10-20-2012, 06:48 PM

another little tidbit about your laptop

Court Says Border Patrol Can Take Your Laptop For Off-Site Search If They Have Reasonable Suspicion | Techdirt

DSL417 · 10-20-2012, 06:58 PM

This last Spring we were therein our 4-wheeler...stayed on the Canadian side. Rainbow Bridge appears to create a long wait for RVs and busses as they travel through the same gate. Seemed like that line wasn't moving at all...as if they were really giving RVs a good looooooong look. Maybe another crossing might be better. Almost always a backup during the day. And if you cross in your toad, pray you don't get behind some dummy coming back who packed her passports/birth certificates, or whatever, and doesn't remember where...because then you are stuck in a line you can't get out of and you have no choice but to wait...the US absolutely checks your right to reenter the US.

VanDiemen23 · 10-21-2012, 09:30 AM

If you have a toyhauler or utility trailer behind the MH, they are concerned that you are buying goods in the US and re-selling them tax free in Canada. Guys that go into Canada to race stuff have learned to make an inventory of everything in the trailer and keep everything you would normally throw away - like oil bottles, spent cans of cleaners, etc. to match up with the inventory when you leave.

vincee · 10-25-2012, 01:43 PM

The proper response to the question "What are you bringing in with you" is "nothing sir/mame". They are not stupid and can see the obvious, the point of the question is things that are not allowed such as an abundane of booze or cigarettes beyond your own reasonable consumption.

KenTheKanuck · 10-25-2012, 01:52 PM

The question that irks me (and I have had it asked by both the Canadian and American border people) is "do you have any weapons". Of course I always answer "no" but the truth of the matter is that all sorts of items can be used as a weapon, a tire jack, a steak knife, etc. etc.

I am afraid one day they will pull me in for a check and come out with one of my golf clubs. I can hear the border guard now " we checked with some of your friends and asked if you could play golf, they all answered hell no, so the only explanation for you to have this club is that you are planning to use it as a weapon".

There goes my truck and trailer.

KTK

OneRVer · 10-25-2012, 02:05 PM

When you pull up to the border the guard types your plate number into their computers. They know more about you then you know about yourself. If your answer does not match what they are seeing on their computer..........

Truly I have never had a problem going to Canada but coming back home is always a problem. I always have to pull the RV over, exit the RV then they go in and inspect everything. And its not just me, everyone that had an RV had to do this. I asked the guard how would you like it if I park in front of your driveway and inspect your car every night when he go home. His reply, "Sir, you don't need to be that way."