Crossing the US/Canada Border

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

This was pretty amusing:

During my return trip home from Canada last weekend, I approach the border agent to re-enter the U.S. The agent asked me to turn off my engine (SSI's and sport muffler roar). He asks to see my passport, which I cheerfully provide. He asks me where I went? Vancouver He then asks me what I did, I saw my girlfriend. He then asks me what he would find if he looked back in my trunk. I had to bite my tongue and not laugh to answer, my suitcase and my clothing AND NOT MY ENGINE.
He thought a moment and then said Ok...
I wish he would have asked me to pop the trunk...

ronin · 11-07-2003, 12:09 AM

well, you weren't lying. he didn't ask what's in your engine compartment

which crossing?

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

Pacific Crossing aka Truck Border Crossing

ronin · 11-07-2003, 12:21 AM

ah yes. whe I go north, that's my crossing of choice. when I go south, I invest the extra 15 mins and drive around to the Lynden crossing. sure the drive's a bit longer, but that's what Porsches are for

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

Listen to 1130 AM, Vancouver news radio with up to the minute traffic, I think on the 1's for traffic in the city as well as the border waits. On the rare occasion Peace Arch is less of a wait. Nothing worse than watching the temperature rise idling through a lengthy wait at the border.

ronin · 11-07-2003, 12:31 AM

oh god, you're not kidding either! fan on, fan off. fan on, fan off! other reason I like Lynden is also for the customs agents. they're much friendlier and seem to have a few more brain cells. I discovered this trick about nine years ago coming back from the Pink Floyd concert where we made a command decision to take the extra time to go around through Lynden. it was well worth it. we were through in five minutes. other friends that decided to go through the Peace Arch reported waiting up to two hours!

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

Lynden crossing is the only place to get your GST back in cash on the spot and a great time to buy a case of the Mike's Hard Lemonade, the Canadian stuff is Vodka based versus the weak malt stuff we get here.

ronin · 11-07-2003, 12:40 AM

heck, I didn't think that was possible anymore at all. I'll remember that the net time I spend a bunch of cash. and leave it to the canucks to know how to properly get plastered

I'll have to stop and grab some next time!

manana, I'm off to bed

SRISER · 11-07-2003, 06:50 AM

What do you mean get your GST back in cash?

Doug Zielke · 11-07-2003, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ronin
ah yes. whe I go north, that's my crossing of choice. when I go south, I invest the extra 15 mins and drive around to the Lynden crossing. sure the drive's a bit longer, but that's what Porsches are for

Exactly!
The folks at Lynden (both sides) seem to be a little more polite.
I avoid Blaine (Blame?) and the 'Truck Crossing' as a rule.

BTW....I have had several officers (US side) ask me about the 'meaning' of the SCWDP....heh, heh, heh....I even gave out a few stickers to one guy..... infiltration? Muhahahahahaha!!

Drago · Drago's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Harlan Chinn
the Canadian stuff is Vodka based versus the weak malt stuff we get here.

Hmm, that must be why I like to mix my Mikes with vodka

ronin · 11-07-2003, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SRISER
What do you mean get your GST back in cash?

Goods and Services Tax

SRISER · 11-07-2003, 09:34 AM

Yeah, I know what GST is I just didn't know you could get it refunded. I have an Uncle-in-law that my wife and I visit on occasion. Should I be saving my reciepts? How does it work? Man, all that money down the drain just to support Canadian universial health care.

ronin · 11-07-2003, 12:00 PM

ah sorry. yes, you can get a refund on most purchases above a certain point. (I think it's about $40 or 50) you used to be able to get refunds at the Duty Free shops and other locations, but a few years back the system was changed to where you had to send in the claim (a real hassle) so I guess it's still possible, according to Harlan, to get the refund at the Blaine crossing

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

The duty free store on the Canadian side of the border at the Pacific crossing (Lynden) has a window that takes your receipts and refunds your GST. You must have receipts totalling 100.00 or more for them to do that. I save mine and they will refund receipts up to a year old. They tore down the duty-free store on the Canadian side at Peace Arch a few years ago. I drove there to find a empty paved parking lot.

SRISER · 11-07-2003, 03:59 PM

I'll have to remember that! Scweeet.