Community Forums

BradandCheri · 10-05-2022, 02:51 PM

We're going to be going down I5 from Oregon to California soon. Who's been through that border check station recently?

What do they look for in an RV, and how extensively do they search your rig?

Any info on fruit, food, firearms would be appreciated.

Thanks

SeeTheUSA · 10-05-2022, 02:59 PM

https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/PE/Ext...rders_faq.html

Newmar2856 · 10-05-2022, 04:00 PM

I’ve never been asked about firearms and it’s outside their inspection parameters. Do note, California doesn’t have any reciprocal concealed weapons agreements with any other state. I’d suggest contacting CHP or their state police equivalent for your best information.

As for agricultural items. I’ve been asked about what fresh fruits, veggies or meats we have with us. We try to get rid of anything we can before we cross or I’m prepared to list what we have. We have yet to be inspected. I wouldn’t bring firewood. Seems to be a big issue with many states lately.

As with any of these interactions, a smile and respectful reply goes a long way in making the process go smoother.

One time we got waived right through. They were pretty busy going over the paperwork with a guy that had about 20 pot plants in the back of a u-haul. Looked like some type of commercial venture and not a smuggler as he a ton of documents and the inspectors didn’t seem too surprised.

shootist · 10-05-2022, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradandCheri

We're going to be going down I5 from Oregon to California soon. Who's been through that border check station recently?

What do they look for in an RV, and how extensively do they search your rig?

Any info on fruit, food, firearms would be appreciated.

Thanks

Never even knew they had a southbound chk station, but it has been 3 years since I went down the five. The 15 station they just ask at your window if you have any fresh fruits or vegetables. Ca. Wants the ammo or the firearm inaccessible to without you having to stop and recombine the two. Like one in the trunk the other in the passenger compartment. I would like to believe having to put a slide out to access one or the other would suffice but it doesn't require you to physically leave the vehicle so maybe not. Of course a fold down rear seat back doesn't either, so all very subject to interpretation. If you call the CHP and get a definitive answer please let us all know.

dons2346 · 10-05-2022, 08:17 PM

I have been traveling the I5 since '97 and the only question I have ever been asked is about fresh fruits and vegetables. At one time they asked about plants.
The stop is all of 15 seconds at most

Skip426 · 10-05-2022, 08:26 PM

On one trip I had them enter the 5er to check on a lime purchased in Oregon , inspector took and peeled the ends off and let us keep it , grown in California tag still on it.

Never any questions about anything other than fruits and vegetables; but ; that could be because of the Canadian plates , and they know that most other stuff is covered at the US/Canada border .

Old-Biscuit · 10-05-2022, 08:38 PM

Having lived in CA for 30+ yrs and traveling out/in CA, out of the 16 AG Stations I think I have been thru at least 12 of them

"Where are you coming from?" (as if they didn't know)
"Do you have any Fruit/Vegetables/Contraband?" (NO)

Most time they just wave you thru...no stopping or questions

When we entered CA pulling our 5th wheel with SD Plates ...just a hand wave as we smiled and waved back

BobGed · 10-05-2022, 09:06 PM

This site CDFA might be helpful.

F4Gary · 10-05-2022, 09:16 PM

I just tell them all the fruits and vegetables we have were just purchased in whatever border state we just entered from.

Most the time they see our Texas tags and just waive us through.

BradandCheri · 10-05-2022, 11:23 PM

This is my first time using the Forums here, and I'm impressed by the excellent community and contributions.

Thank you!

Cousin Ed · 10-06-2022, 09:03 AM

Once they thoroughly inspected the outside of our rig for gypsy moths because of our MA plates and asked about fruit & veggies.

Werk · 10-06-2022, 09:29 AM

Just went thru last week coming home from Brookings Oregon. Going down to Cresent City and then back up to get to Brookings you go thru California border. They asked going down for fruits, vegetables and firewood. Coming back just fruits. Going down to Tahoe each year they always ask about firewood. To bad your not coming up from the south they don’t check for any thing not even Covid.

TravelSolo · 10-06-2022, 10:06 AM

Unless you look like you have been hunting (stickers, blaze orange, camo, UTV in the bed, etc) which would make them ask about having any game with you, then it's just "any fresh fruits or vegetables?", if you don't just get waved through.

The AG folks don't care about firearms, but we do have stupid limitations on what you can possess and "import" in case you get stopped by other LEO.

Transport is laws are pretty simple. Unloaded and in a locked container for handguns (center console and glove box, by themselves, are not legal. Long guns can be unlocked but must be unloaded and generally out of reach. Be careful about what this state calls "assault weapons". We also do not honor ANY non-CA CCW permits, LEOSA is good though.

Check these before bringing anything into the state:
https://www.calguns.net/caawid/flowchart.pdf
https://www.calguns.net/caawid/hgflowchart.pdf

Unloaded means no ammo in the gun itself (inside the grip, tubular mag, in the chamber). A loaded mag can be in the same locked contained as the gun just not "contained within the firearm".