-----Original Message----- From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Steven Hirsch Sent: Saturday, September 05, 2015 9:59 AM To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts Subject: Re: Electronic devices and borders - Re: Possible road trip....Illnois, Canada, Maine and back
On Fri, 4 Sep 2015, william degnan wrote: >> I had fun taking 20 IBM pc's from Montreal to the usa. I ended up >> setting up a broker account to ship items in a rented van. It was do >> this or the items would be impounded. I had to be escorted by >> flashing lights custims police bacj into canada. You can't simply >> drive through customs without correct paperwork. Stuck at border and >> customs for 6 hours. >When did this become so difficult? Joe Thiemann gave me a literal car load of classic gear before he moved to Germany. My wife and I made a day trip to Montreal and had absolutely no problems at >the border coming back in. I think the ICE agent found it amusing. They took a brief look at the back seat, then asked what was in the trunk. I said "..more of the same". After a brief grimace, he >waved me through. I believe the issue going to the USA is with "commercial" vs "personal property". AFAIK, US CBP has discretion on commercial up to a value of $2500 regarding pre-notification and a customs broker requirement but recently it seems like they are not allowing anything commercial without full procedures. I think a US Citizen or Resident Alien would have little trouble getting through to the USA as long as whatever they were bring in is identified as personal property. I have been turned back coming from Canada to VCF MW with a load of "trading items" in my station wagon. They required a broker and none would take walk-in clients. However, no flashing lights escort staged to get me back to Canada. There are only two options on the form they ask you to sign: (a.) US Citizen or resident with personal property or, (b.) Commercial goods. Recently I inquired about establishing a relationship with a broker and quit when asked for a $700 surety bond by the broker. I tried only one broker so maybe others would require less. On the Canadian side, last time I brought commercial stuff through, I was allowed to fill out all the required forms at the border without any pre-notification of arrival etc. They have computers set up for importers to enter the documents online right at the counter. It's a good idea to organize yourself with knowledge of how to complete the forms before you show up. Will be testing the system going south again soon. Dan --