Border Crossing

[ss3079]

Many of us run down to Sweetgrass, MT to pick up car parts, etc. Done it a few times now, never a problem. I used to live ten minutes from a border crossing and we used to do it all the time. Always declared everything at full value.

I had two pair of hockey gloves sent to Sweetgrass and went down to pick them up today (duty was $5, awesome!). I had a pleasant US border guard and we BS'd for a couple minutes as he was interested in my job and the clients I work with, while thirty cars sat behind me. Being a Canadian citizen, it's usually a good thing coming back through Canadian Customs. I declared my gloves and provided a receipt, pulled over and paid. Half way out to my car, a lady runs up to me and asks to see my keys. She says that she is going to search my vehicle. Fine, I let her know that if you touch anything, put it back in the right place and if you break anything, you will be held responsible, whether it be the Government of Canada or you personally. She tries to pull the "oh so while you were down in Sweetgrass for 15 minutes you had this and this installed as well" pointing to my grille and intake. Lucky I keep a copy of my receipts in the glove box for this exact reason. She looked rather dissapointed. She approaches and opens my door as if the car is going to blow up as soon as she gets near it. Putting on her black leather gloves, she inches closer and as soon as she pulls up the lever, off goes the alarm thanks to the spare set of keys in my pocket. At this point I was unable to turn the alarm off because I had no idea how,

And the process begins. Under the carpet, up and under the dash, pulled out my spare tire, removed the trunk carpeting, peeled away the rear deck, and pulled the belly pan down to see if I was hiding anything. Two and a half hours ... that is how long it took to rip my poor car apart and take some coffee breaks. If you have ever been searched before, you will know that once they are done, they are done ... you are left to put everything back where it belongs. I drove home with my license plate zip tied to my grille because the screws holding my license plate went missing - yes, she thought there was something hiding between the holder and the bumper. A good count of the change in my console was taken, and extensive notes written in regards to the damn grocery list I had in the ashtray along with a quarter for the shopping cart.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"
"No sir, you are free to go."
"So, what do you think? Nice car?"
"Yes, much nicer than mine."
"Naturally."

And off I went, only to find the bra start flapping when I got up to speed as I forgot to re-connect some of the straps. Nothing fits like it did when I bought it and there is an added scratch from Mrs. StickUpHerAss' belt.

Was she doing her job? To an extent. Was it taken too far? Yes. Do I know this for a fact? Yes. My bosses Father has worked as a border services agent for 25+ years and happens to oversee appeals/reviews and employee accountability standards. One phone call later and I am all set to receive a small cheque to cover some replacement screws, touch up paint, plastic rivets, and 2.5 hours of pay at my current wage.

I guess a 21 year old punk kid can't work his ass off for a nice car and not be suspected of dealing drugs. Don't kid yourself, this is exactly what it comes down to.

I had to share - and I hope you all had a better day than myself

[radicaltuned]

Thats sucks man. For the time waiting for them to go over your car. I would have been fuming.

[Cruisin1966]

Sorry buddy.

Jamie had the same thing happen to her after coming back across with my daughter and little sister from Great Falls on a trip for school clothes.

[moparcarguy]

exactly why i no longer go into canada

[Big Jon]

A friend of mine was in a large group going up for a car show. He received the sme tear down treatment as you. When he asked why and was told every 30th car gets searched, I'm that is only one gaurds policy.
One experience like that and I would never go back.

[CalMagnum]

That bites... Sorry to hear...

[Hemi Chef]

Going to the Ohio Nats the US side kept me for three hours,x-ray'd the magnum,ripped everything up, a long series of questions then finally sent me free.On the way back I was pulled into secondary,asked to bring the car inside under the lights and three of us talked about the car the mods etc. then after a few minutes let me go.

Ya gotta thank prez bushwacker for keepin your country safe from us Canadian terrorizers

[ss3079]

One experience like that and I would never go back.

One of the worst parts about it is that I am a Canadian citizen being treated in such a way while coming home. No offense, but just as 99% of the Americans I speak with, you kind of expect that treatment going the other way. I feel like shredding my Passport, but in all reality, I'll just start having my items shipped up here and bite the brokerage/duty and extra shipping costs. Now that I've been searched there is no doubt in my mind that I have been flagged in their system, and therefore I have no interest in even risking having the same situation happen again.

Oh well, stuff happens ... only this time I am left trying to get things to fit like they did from the factory.

[ss3079]

x-ray'd the magnum

Sorry to hear :(

This part cracks me up because I had the same thing happen, plus a density meter was taken to the tires. Please.

[done]

Going to the Ohio Nats the US side kept me for three hours,x-ray'd the magnum,ripped everything up, a long series of questions then finally sent me free.On the way back I was pulled into secondary,asked to bring the car inside under the lights and three of us talked about the car the mods etc. then after a few minutes let me go.

Ya gotta thank prez bushwacker for keepin your country safe from us Canadian terrorizers

Perhaps you missed the election we had last year. The increased "diligence" on the US/Canada border is a new thing.

[FloridaRT]

It's been almost 40 years since my last visit to Canada, sounds like I will be staying home in the good old USA.................


Last trip to Canada I was driving my 1969 Dodge Super Bee.............. wish I still had it.


Bob

[PickardvilleSRT8]

I have no real interest in the United States to start with and now that kind of border stupidity, be it ours or their's just backs that up. For neighborly countries that share a lot of interests, resources and financial endeavours you don't really get that vibe anymore do you. Both Canada and the US's officials should maybe give their head a shake. But why would they...... the governments of either country have done nothing that makes much sense for a very long time....... why start now.....

[daytona dude]

I have been searched and given the tear down treatment twice. They are just doing their job. Try being a little me patient and less sarcastic with them this time and maybe they will treat you with a little more respect.

Both times they put my stuff and car back together exactly as they found it. Treat them right and they will treat you right.

[ss3079]

I have been searched and given the tear down treatment twice. They are just doing their job. Try being a little me patient and less sarcastic with them this time and maybe they will treat you with a little more respect.

Both times they put my stuff and car back together exactly as they found it. Treat them right and they will treat you right.

It was beyond and above what their "job" is - I treated them with respect until I was disrespected.

There is no problem with me here. The signed and approved review and appeal of enforcement actions statement has already provided me with some compensation for the incident. Nice knowing people whom are able to expedite the process for me.

[bandaid]

Had a similiar experience when I was much younger. However the difference was my buddy's sense of humour. When asked if we received any gifts, he responded "nothing tangible". All the males laughed and the lone female customs officer stripped the car! oh well!!