Canadian moving via U.S. -- customs troubles?
April 16, 2008 11:39 AM   Subscribe

Wondering if any Canadians have experience doing this... I am moving next month from Winnipeg to Vancouver. I will be having most of my possessions shipped, and will be driving my car west. In my car, I will just have my clothes, a small LCD-TV and my computer. Everything else will be shipped. My question is .. I want to drive through the U.S. on I-94 and I-90 (from Grand Forks, ND to Seattle, WA) and then cross back into Canada towards Vancouver. Does anyone know if the border officials (US or Canadian) are going to give me any hassle moving this way? I am just worried about them thinking that the stuff in my car is things I bought in the states, even though I am just moving them via the US. I have done the Manitoba-B.C. drive a few times and I want to go through the northern U.S. for a change. Thanks!
posted by ninefour to Travel & Transportation (10 answers total)
 
My brother (young guy in a modded civic) drove from Toronto to Calgary through the northern US with a bunch of personal effects and product/supplies from his company to take part in a tradeshow. I asked specifically if he had problems crossing the border with a carload of this stuff and customs didn't care. In his case it was a much more direct route out west than going through Canada, and he made it clear that he was only driving through. I think the only thing that would raise some questions were if the stuff you were bringing through looked totally brand new. As long as you have proof that you're moving (you know, just to reinforce it, just in case) I think you'll be fine.
posted by impactorange at 11:45 AM on April 16, 2008


Doesn't sound like you'll have a much different load than someone vacationing. More clothes probably, but that's not a big deal.

If you're really concerned about the electronics (probably nor necessary unless they're really ridiculously expensive), you can visit your nearest customs office (call first) and get them to put stickers on the back to prove you had them in Canada.
posted by winston at 11:49 AM on April 16, 2008


I have a friend who's going to school in Thunder Bay, drives from Toronto to Thunder Bay (and back) every year with a car full of all of his belongings. He's only been stopped and searched once, which was a pain but he got throughit.
posted by smitt at 11:52 AM on April 16, 2008


On your way out of Canada stop at Canadian Customs and have a form Y38 filled out. Information is here (scroll down to "protecting your valuables"). This form will show Canada Customs on the way back in that your possessions originated in Canada.
I would do this especially if you have any new electronics or similarly high value items just to be on the safe side.
posted by lunaazul at 12:02 PM on April 16, 2008


I've been over the Canada-US border:

a) in a car with my wife
b) hitchhiking with my wife
c) in a car alone
d) on a motorcycle alone
e) on a bus alone
f) walking with a backpack alone

Level of hassle increases steadily in cases a through f. There is an inverse correlation in the minds of the US border patrol between how laden you are and how much they feel they need to hassle you (note: I don't classify my wife as a burden, but in the eyes of border patrol she definitely gives me a different "profile").
It took all my strength to repress smart ass responses when, in case (f), I was asked if I was carrying more than $10,000 in cash. Only a US border agent could ask this question in this situation without even cracking a smile.

Tentative justification of my rambling story and its connection to your question: if you have a car full of stuff, you should be fine, because that makes you "normal".
posted by arcadia at 12:10 PM on April 16, 2008


I cross the border driving from Fort Frances, ON to Winnipeg all the time -- like, 20 times a year. The worst case scenario is that they will search your vehicle, to be honest. We moved the opposite direction ten years ago, with a case of wine in the back, and had no trouble even with that on board.

Best bet? Make sure you have your passport with you (border guards seem to like it better than a birth certificate), pack things neatly, but don't tape boxes closed in case of search. And, most important of all, anything that looks like it could be new, or could be thought to be a US-side purchase, stop at Canada Customs, and ask them to give you have a Y38 form filled out, as lunaazul noted, saying that you are bringing something into the states from Canada. This goes a long way towards placating the US border guards. If you show some foresight in crossing, things almost always go easier.

Other than that, just remember the golden rules of crossing the border: be polite, don't be funny or witty, look them in the eye, don't get mad, and remember that they hold pretty much ultimate power over you. If they want to search your stuff and rip your car apart, they will, and getting frustrated or upset does nothing to help your case. As long as you left your stash at home, you should be able to pass through, searched or not.
posted by liquado at 12:31 PM on April 16, 2008


I was asked if I was carrying more than $10,000 in cash.

I found out they aren't usuallly amused if you reply "I wish"
posted by Deep Dish at 12:40 PM on April 16, 2008


I travelled through the US with a friend who was moving from Winnipeg to Ottawa, and we had no trouble with Canada or US customs. His car was packed full of his belongings. He didn't fill out any forms before crossing the border, but I don't think he had any particularly high value or newish looking items. lunaazul's advice sounds good if you're worried about the TV. If you still have a receipt you might want to bring that along too.
posted by teg at 12:53 PM on April 16, 2008


Also, if you have any documentation regarding what you are going to be doing or where you are going to be living in Vancouver, that might help if you have any trouble entering the US.
posted by teg at 12:58 PM on April 16, 2008


Have proof of where you are going to be residing in Canada.

Proof of enrollment in School, proof of employment or a lease on an apartment in Vancouver with an address will help their first suspicion will be that you're not coming back into the country. With a car full of stuff and no fixed address you're look like your moving to the US.

As far as boarder crossings go there is one south Rossland in BC that's before Grand forks that I never had any problems with when I lived in the area as it's very common for people to cross there.
YMMV certainly.
posted by jade east at 1:09 PM on April 16, 2008


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