It is your responsibility to ensure that the products that you purchase may be lawfully imported into the United States.
I went to Victoria this weekend, and returned, with no incidents. That is to say, my ID remained safe at all times. Later, when I have more energy, I will share my road rage with you, from the trip up on Friday evening. Tell me, how hard is it to understand this concept: Keep Right Except to Pass. Or this one: Slower Traffic Stay Right?
In the old days, before 9/11, crossing the border was laughably easy. Where are you from? Where are you going? How long are you staying? Have a nice time. And coming back was equally easy, with one additional question - do you have anything to declare?
Now, they are curious about all aspects of your visit. And your life. Both Canadian and US custom agents are very interested in how I ended up with a Canadian boyfriend. They ask me, just like that, too. How did you end up with a Canadian boyfriend? And while I am always tempted to say "Just lucky, I guess," they don't have much of a sense of humor. I try to avoid the wise crackery. It's hard for me to just say that we met on the internet. I'm always tempted to start out with "Well, I have this blog, you see, and one day he found it, and then..... " I mean, how much detail do they want? You wouldn't think they'd want much, but last night, the US customs agent wanted to know how everything was working out. Between me and my Canadian boyfriend. He was a bit sassy, tho. He also asked me, in these exact words, "Soooo.... whadya got?"
"What do I got... what do I have? You mean, what did I buy?"
"Yeah."
"Ummm... nothing."
I guess it could get boring asking the same old questions day after day.
Comments
Comments closed on older entries, whenever I get around to it, to avoid spam.I wonder if you could smuggle a new car...I mean, they don't cross reference what you left in do they? Are Canadian cars cheaper?
Posted by: DrinkJack
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21 août 2006 16h30
So, Jodi, I'm wondering.....I've never had a Canadian Boyfriend, before. What's it like?
Posted by: Marie
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21 août 2006 18h46
About a year ago, my brother learned that those guys don't have much of a sense of humor. When he came back into the U.S. from Canada, the border guard asked him the usual question: "Do you have any firearms, tobacco products, drugs, etc., etc., in your vehicle?"
His reply: "What do you need?"
Oops.
Posted by: the fool | 21 août 2006 19h28
I knew it, I knew something was up, singleton forever my eye! A Canadian boyfriend is a good choice and the prospect of many trips to Victoria is another good choice, given your weather preference.
Jack, its not a good idea to try to bring a US car into Canada. Cars are cheaper in US, I had a friend who thought it was a good idea. He had an American friend bring in a new car and just 'leave it' behind. He 'got done' for smuggling and went to jail. Canadians are not supposed to drive cars with foreign plates in Canada if they are Canadian Residents. There is a temporary 30 day waiver if you are permanently importing (but then you have duty implications) or it is a rental car (30 day rule still applies.) As for my friend, well he was a wee bit of a druggy so would have gone to jail sooner or later. Now I can boast to not only having friends in high places, but high friends in places.
Marie, I am surprised, never had a Canadian boyfriend, you've not lived yet...
Any international travel now is a bigger headache. I’ve also just retuned home from holidays in Canada as well. When travelling back to UK on Friday, the rest of the family used their UK/EC passports, so got to go in the 'fast lane'. I'd gone out using my Canadian Passport so had to re-enter using my Canadian (other wise you get travel gaps.) So after queuing forever, I finally get to the counter and when asked how long I will be staying say I am a permanent resident returning home, I have indefinite right to reside. She asks, on what basis did you qualify for permanent residency? Bloody Hell, that was like 20 years ago. After giving her a list of all the reasons why I was allowed to stay, she says OK that’s fine, can I see your other passport. I’m thinking, I didn’t say anything about another passport, so ask, ahhh other passport? She says yes, your previous passport. What!?! I mean who in Hades travels with their current passport AND the previous one? Well actually I do, I travel light. Pair of clean pants, socks and a toothbrush is enough for me, but when it comes to travel documents I take everything. I’ve learned from experience that in some cases being able to prove you’ve had a measles jab or first communion is more valuable that a passport. So I whip out the previous passport…she looks stunned. Do you usually travel with your current passport and previous passport she asks? I can see we are going down a route that might never end, so being equally cagey I say, now that I can’t take gels and liquids there is so much space left over in my carry on, I just feel obliged to fill it with something. She says, oh, ok, carry on.
Jodi, don’t they have some sort of frequent visitor or express visa or document for Americans going north / Canadians going south? I think it is called Nexus or something like that, but confess no idea how it works?
Posted by: perry | 22 août 2006 1h21
You should try to smuggle the Canadians some mashed potatoes and biscuits for their KFC. You'd be a hero.
Posted by: Chris | 22 août 2006 9h53
Holy smokes. No wonder I haven't left Canada since the last millenium.
Whenever I'm in a customs/ police/authority situation, I break down and tell them everything. Unless it's something stupid like being cited for not wearing a bike helmet when the MP came to town (I flat-out told the cop to name one place in town where I could buy one...he let me off...) or smuggling explosives in my cat's kennel. Yes, airport security, I'm going to blow up my cat. She is a terror, after all.
Maybe I'm growing edgier. But I used to tell them everything. Or stand back and let someone else deal with it. Truth is good
Posted by: madrigalia | 22 août 2006 13h08