Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:35:59 -0700
Reply-To: Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Crossing the Canadian border...
In-Reply-To: <CAFdLW6kMqNWpa0wVeR28RRLCba1nxe6vQbpmxVrJDhkkgZTHpA@mail.gmail.com>
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RE: Border Crossing
In the late '70s and early '80s I crossed from Washington to BC to shoot in
pistol competitions. About once a month, sometimes twice. We always used
the truck crossing at Blain. And had a lot of varied experiences with
Canadian Customs and the RCMP. Usually we had called ahead and the proper
paperwork was waiting at Customs. But the last few years the RCMP officer
in Surrey got tired of typing up paperwork for one weekend for 10 to 20
people and dated the paperwork so it was good to the end of the calender
year, that made things easy at the border. One caution we did take was to
get the paperwork from US Customs for each pistol to prove that we had
brought the pistols from the US when we returned. But were never asked for
that paperwork. Usually the only question we got returning was "How did
your do?" and we would hold up any trophies we might have won, get a big
smile and be waved on through. Those days are long gone and because of the
much more complicated process for getting the right paperwork to take
firearms into Canada that were imposed (even before 9/11) few US shooters
compete up there anymore. But I can guarantee that at that time if you
pulled up to Canadian Customs and said that you had firearms on board
there were no more questions, all came to a screeching halt until you could
show paperwork or explain that the paperwork was waiting in the office. We
could have been transporting just about anything else but were never asked
about fruits, vegetables, drugs or anything once 'guns' were mentioned.
And anecdote from about that time. A female friend of mine and here
boyfriend were heading up to Vancouver for the weekend. They got to the
boarder, stopped, and the Canadian Customs officer asked "What is the
purpose of your trip?" and the boyfriend answered "Rape and pillage". The
customs officer looked puzzled, then grinned and waved them through. I
don't suggest that approach today :)
On Mon, Jul 20, 2015 at 7:48 PM, Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
> on the upcoming trip we will cross the Canadian border and visiting
> Vancouver Island... 1st time...
>
> there's a NO NO on fire arms and illegal drugs... we know...
>
> can we keep out fresh products (veggies and fruits) and errr liquors...?
>
> thanks
>
> dan
>
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