Does everyone get searched when they cross into Canada? (passports, old, driving)

[HomeHunt82]

I am a US Citizen who drove into Canada last month.


After being asked dozens of questions about why I'm entering the country, the Customs Agent in the booth told me to pull to the side and then about four men thoroughly searched my car while we waited outside of the car (the whole process took about 25 minutes).


Does this happen to everybody or do they just do it randomly?


(Crossing back into the USA was much quicker and easier.)

[BigCityDreamer]

It happens a lot of times.

National boundaries are real. Everybody should learn to respect them.

When you cross a national boundary, you are in a different system.

[BrianGC]

It's very random. I had my trunk searched (not very thoroughly) one time entering Canada, but I was waiting inside the car.

[StealthRabbit]

Checks can be random or targeted to individual situations.

My experience has always been more difficult re-entering the USA. (Frequent border crosser / WA ,ID, MT to BC / Alberta) Last yr was ME, NH, NY and MI crossings (no problem).

You can get a NEXUS or Global Entry card if frequent crossings becomes the norm.

[mikeyyc]

Customs officials have a great deal of leeway and power when it comes to admissions. Obviously the officer had an issue with your answers to their questions, or your overall tone, and took the opportunity to investigate further.

[engineman]

Profiling is very much a part of border control. Something you did, said, the way you said it, or the way you look could trigger it. I have never faced this, but as I tell my wife "we look like 2 harmless old white haired geezers, who are not a threat to anyone.

I don't remember how many times I have been to Canada. The first time was in 1940.

[Jdawg8181]

We didn't get searched but they asked a lot of questions and it was @ night so they shined a flashlight into our car too.


Wanted to know our purpose in Canada, our occupations, when will we be returning back to the states, our relationship to eachother (4 friends) etc etc


Of course they looked @ our passports too.


Don't try going if you have ever gotten a DWI.

[HomeHunt82]

Originally Posted by Jdawg8181

We didn't get searched but they asked a lot of questions and it was @ night so they shined a flashlight into our car too.


Wanted to know our purpose in Canada, our occupations, when will we be returning back to the states, our relationship to eachother (4 friends) etc etc


Of course they looked @ our passports too.


Don't try going if you have ever gotten a DWI.

Do you know of somebody who has gotten turned away due to a DWI?


I've never had a DWI but I'm just curious!

[Jdawg8181]

Originally Posted by HomeHunt82

Do you know of somebody who has gotten turned away due to a DWI?


I've never had a DWI but I'm just curious!

My ex-husband. Banned from Canada.


After 10 or 15 years (I forget how many) you can apply for 'rehabilitation' from their government and they *may* let you in.


Otherwise, no, they won't. My ex was turned away.

[AlaskaErik]

Originally Posted by HomeHunt82

Do you know of somebody who has gotten turned away due to a DWI?


I've never had a DWI but I'm just curious!

I know someone who got turned back for a reckless driving conviction. The original charge was DUI, but it was pled down to RD. Still enough to keep him out of Canada.