US Citizen Repatriation

December 31, 2008 12:04 PM

I'm a US/Canadian citizen moving to the US by car with personal items (clothing, books, computers) accompanying me, via Michigan boarder crossing - Any tips and advice on how to declare my personal goods, Boarder Official communication, etc? Thanks
posted by strangelove to Travel & Transportation (8 answers total)

I was born and raised in the metro Detroit area and going to Canada either via the Windsor Tunnel, Ambassador Bridge or Blue Water Bridge was always a regular routine, whether it be for a week-long vacation or an afternoon picnic in a Canadian park. Anyway, when it comes to Customs, it's basically the luck of the draw. Some border guards will simply ask "Citizenship? How long were you in Canada? Did you buy anything there?" and wave you through without really paying attention to your answers. Others will notice the clothes and books stuffed in the back seat of your car and ask you to pull over for a more thorough inspection. You'll explain that you're a US citizen moving back home after living in Canada, and they'll most likely make a cursory inspection of the stuff you're hauling. They'll determine that it's all personal belongings, no contraband, and send you on your way. Even in these post-9/11 times, I've been waved through Customs after just a few questions and not so much as a request for identification.
posted by Oriole Adams at 12:30 PM on December 31, 2008

The official word can be found here. (Word .doc)

Anecdotally, a couple of people I know recently crossed from Quebec into New York with a car full of stuff, and simply saying that they were moving was enough; no duties. Between the two of them there was one Canadian citizenship and two U.S.
posted by mhz at 12:36 PM on December 31, 2008

It really is luck of the draw on who you get - that said, I've gone across that border 4 times this week - twice each way Detroit-Windsor and it took me over an hour coming back into the US just to get over bridge or through tunnel due to long lines. No trouble at customs either way and two of the four times we had people of both US and Canadian citizenship in the car. We ALL had to show passports each time. I don't think you'll gain anything by going to the Sarnia/Port Huron crossing - they're all equally slow these days.
posted by leslies at 1:28 PM on December 31, 2008

Canadian citizen, crossed Canada-US with a ton of stuff in August as I'm now going to school here:

"Citizenship?"

"Canadian."

"Where are you going?"

"XXX for school" hands over student visa

"Ok, we're going to have to process that, you'll need to drive over there... What's in the boxes?"

"Clothes, computer, books, kitchen stuff--"

"Personal effects?"

"Yes, personal effects."

"Ok, go over there."

No search, just a long wait in a small room for a five-second interview.
posted by ewiar at 2:34 PM on December 31, 2008

I got pulled over with a UHaul at the Detroit tunnel when I moved back from college. Guy was a real jerk about it.

The guy who came out to inspect the truck took one look, asked me if I was moving home from college and told me to get out of there, despite the gerbils.

Find out the rules and follow them. It isn't worth the risk, especially now that they can do anything they want to. Especially since 9/11, there are some real assholes lording their power over the rest of us at the border.

They do seem to be able to tell who grew up on the border, probably because it doesn't occur to us to declare anything.
posted by QIbHom at 12:30 PM on January 1, 2009

As long as your personal effects are not brand new (like, < 6 weeks old) you won't be nagged about them. If you're going through Detroit, use the Port Huron or Buffalo crossing instead. Customs folks there are a lot more sensible probably because they don't live in Detroit and hate their lives.
posted by drmarcj at 6:37 PM on January 1, 2009

When I did exactly the same thing some years ago -- dual citizen, driving a truck from Toronto to Chicago, here's what I did:

- Called a few days ahead to the border crossing, told them my situation, asked them exactly how to prepare and what to expect.

- On their advice, prepared a written inventory of my stuff.

- Arrived at the border early in the morning.

As it turned out, the staff at the border crossing were cheerful and friendly. Showed them my inventory, and their only comment was: "Hey, you have a bonsai azalea!" Then there were handshakes, smiles, etc., and "Welcome to the United States!"
posted by tangerine at 9:46 PM on January 2, 2009

Response by poster: Hi everyone, it proceeded very well with the guard only really checking under the hood (in addition to the standard questions). Tangerine, I love the bonsai comment. :) Thank you all for alleviating some of my stress with the move.
posted by strangelove at 5:44 PM on January 7, 2009