Averett

I'm going into Ontario this weekend by way of Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls. I'm planning on bringing some cider (Woodchuck mmm...), just 2 6packs. Would I have a problem with this? If the customs officer asks me "Bringing any alcohol into the country?" and I say yes, will I be able to bring it in? Is there a limit? Basically what's the deal in bringing alcohol into Canada from the US?

Also, my boyfriends friend figured out that if he had a computer shipped to me instead of him he'd save a ton of money on shipping costs. It's about a $2000 computer. Would I have a problem bringing that across the border?

I could just lie and say that I'm not bringing anything, but I was asked to open my trunk and suitcase on one trip back home so I'm a bit paranoid.

Any tips/advice?

Thanks, eh!

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Fly

not sure how the deal is comin' either way lately........since 911......it's been so tight ...at our borders anyways.....not sure what it's like on the other coast.....maybe ask in the american threads,someone might have been through the same deal already......and might be able to give you a better idea of what's good to go across and how much of it.


good luck Av

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BASTARD

SterlingStudios

jizzmasterp

If you don't declare the laptop and they find it, you are in trouble (small trouble). Put it under the seat and unless you come off as a drug dealer, you won't haven any problems.

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Averett

Yeah I've been pretty lucky. The past few times I haven't had to show ID. Way to go Homeland security But I have had to open my trunk and suitcase once. Had nothing. I wouldn't want to chance it and be randomly checked or anything.

I'll have to look into it more..

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hossified

take the computer out of the box and make it look like yours (used). Otherwise you will get charged duty, or have it confiscated. The alcohol may be a little easier......it's your call on trying to sneak it in or declaring it off the bat......kinda like russina roulette......sometimes you win, and you only lose once. (if you get caught your liscence plate is flagged and they will strip down your car every single time you cross!)

OFKU0

Here's what happens to me everytime I cross the border either way. Show ID, open trunk, that's it. When asked after the obligatory smoke and booze question how much I have spent and what is to be declared, I tell them small items,..ie golf shoes, small resort type gifts etc. I never have a problem because I am almost honest. I'll tell them 12 cans of bud and some vodka or whatever and usually is good enough. Not to be offensive, but I am white. Most people I see searched are people who aren't. Don't know if that is good or bad.

Try this;

http://canadaonline.about.com/cs/customs

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" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

Charlatan

I get flagged everyonce in awhile comming back into Canada when I've been away on business.

I often don't buy anything, or bring anything back and I found that when I filled out $0 I would get flagged. They just didn't believe that I'd travel to Europe or Asia and not buy anything...

I always put $156 now just so they can rest easy that I did my best to consume. I rarely get pulled over now.

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Averett

Thanks for the advice/stories.

The only time I've had trouble so far was the girl at the US border who wanted to play 20 questions. "Who are you visiting?" "Where does he live?" "How do you know somebody in Waterloo if you live in Albany?"

I may just ask the Customs officer tonight about bringing a computer across. See what he/she says. Couldn't hurt right?

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BonneFan

Make sure when you go back home, please try and get to the American border early. If you get there after 9 am, you'll be waiting.

Have a safe trip Averett

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shannon

i've heard that it's really good to take off sunglasses, cause they get more suspicious if they are unable to read your eyes when you're answering questions, so that might help. i doubt you'll have to much trouble but it could be a better safe than sorry kind of thing. good luck!

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Ace_O_Spades

the last time i crossed the border from Sumas into Abbotsford the guy didnt even stop our van, we got waived through

yay for security!

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Feh.

Averett

No problems this time. Cept for the same "You live in New York and have a boyfriend in Canada?" question...

It's a 15% tax if I were to bring a new computer into the country. But you know... Maybe I'd get lucky and they won't ask if I'm bringing anything into the country

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skier

isn't it for under 1600$ computers there is no duty on them?

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Averett

Hmm.... Not sure. The computer would be about $2,000 US though apparently.

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mokle

Going into canada, I've never ben searched or had to open the trunk. Just today i came into canada with Ephedra and some prohoromones, just told the guy I wasnt bringing anything back. I've only had to show my ID once going into canada.

Going into the states i've had to show my id every time. I was searched once, because I had my sister with me and she was lippy to the guard (dumb idiot of a sister). Changed my plates the next week. Once they search you, you're flagged, and I didnt want that.

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Mokle
"Your hands can't hit what your eyes can't see" -Ali

Jam

Tip #1: Do not lie to customs

yeah, there we go, one problem with the computer would be taxes theyd probably tax it, if its just a laptop you could just say its yours and then not bring it back even though this goes against rule number 1


funny story...

So umm, yeah... embarasing.. they dont sell cinamon and brown sugar poptarts in canada.. and thier the only ones I liked.. So I have gone to the states to buy them a few times, first time, i told them i was going to go shopping, which i was and they let me through, and i came back no problem, no id or nothing

next time

On the way down, they ask, is that your car, I say yes... what do you do for work, Im... umm washing dishes... where are you going... to lynden to go shopping... please go inside.... inside.. is that your car... yes.. like I already said... what do you do for work... I wash dishes... can I have your drivers liscence and birth certificate please.... fill out this form..... please stay here while we go out and rape your car.... hmm nothing there, have a nice day... on the way back.. no id nothing.. fucking assholes

Averett

Yeah, I wouldn't lie to customs. They scare me enough as it is...

I figure if I bring the computer into Canada I'll either:

A) Be asked if I'm bringing anything
1. Say yes and they ask what, I say computer. They do their thing and tax it.
B) Not be asked if I'm bringing anything, and go about my merry way

It's a crap shoot I figure. Sometimes I've been asked if I'm bringing things, sometimes not. I've had my trunk open once. 3 weeks ago when I visited I wasn't asked for ID. So basically if I bring a computer over I'll have to have my bases covered and have enough cash to cover the tax.

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thriolith

Hmm... quick question. Do you need a passport to cross into the US from Canada? I've heard that you do.. also heard that you don't....

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Mr. Munchy

Well, you don't need a passport, but if you've done something bad to customs before, or if you just want to get through quicker, use a passport. My father went through with a "rough estimate" on the value of his shopping goods last year (coming back into Canada) and the border guards freaked out when he added all the receipts together and the figure was like 300$ more than what he said... So they told him he'd be "flagged" and that he might be searched for future border crossings, but just a couple weeks ago he went through with a passport in about 20 seconds. Either they're incompetent, or just don't care.

Jam

I dont use a passport

billyeggs

You definitely don't need a passport. I am not sure they will waive any possible "red flag" on your record if you do present them a passport though!!!

Baldrick

You definitely don't need a passport - but make sure you have your birth certificate and photo ID. I travel to the US weekly for work, and after having my passport stolen and going through hell because of it, I just take my birth certificate and drivers license now. After over 50 flights this year alone, I have never had a problem with it. I now use my passport only for non-US/Canadian flights.

My opinion Av, take the computer out of the box(es) and "forget" you have it. If they ask the questions and you say you don't have it, yet they find it, claim it's yours and you forgot it was there! I had that happen to me (legitimately forgot I had my computer in my trunk at the Vancouver/Washington border), and they let me go without question. If you aren't sure of your acting job though, be honest, take the potential GST fee and go...

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Averett

Well, my boyfriends friend really needed that laptop for school so he bit the bullet and paid the shipping costs.

Good to know what the deal is with Customs though. Never know what I'll need to bring back and forth someday

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Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

Ambient1

Averett,

You should have played dumb... It's your computer and your bringing it with you to visit your boyfriend so that he can set it up for you....

Not that I recommend lying to customs, but that would be entirely plausible.

Averett

I didn't have the computer at all though. He just had it shipped to him.

I'm a horrible liar though. I get nervous just driving through customs. Not as much as first, I'm getting better. The first time through in May I had the clamy hands and pounding heart thing going on. Okay, well there were other reasons for that too, but customs didn't help!

Authority figures make me nervous

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Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

Daval

2 x 6 packs of cider would be allowed, I think the limit is 24 cans of alcoholic beverages.

ABout the laptop, many many people have them and use them all the time. I would just take it and say its yours so you can keep in touch with the net or work or something.

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Daval

2 x 6 packs of cider would be allowed, I think the limit is 24 cans of alcoholic beverages.

ABout the laptop, many many people have them and use them all the time. I would just take it and say its yours so you can keep in touch with the net or work or something.

A person travelling with a laptop is very normal and common. Its not like you're taking your own snowblower with you.

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"It is impossible to obtain a conviction for sodomy from an English jury. Half of them don't believe that it can physically be done, and the other half are doing it."
Winston Churchill