crossing the border in international falls

[Paul Parish]

I am traveling into Canada with a group of 8 and one of them has a simple assault conviction as a juvenile 16 years ago. Does anyone know if this is going to be a problem when we cross the border into Canada??

Thanks in advance
concerned friend

[JasonMN]

No problem. Juvenile records don't count.

[KANNON]

I went through there last August and was delayed about one hour because i admitted that i had never been over the border before. i would think the best bet would be to not bring it up and you should not have any problem. good luck

[JasonMN]

Great advice Kannon! Let me expand a little...

Your best bet when crossing the border (either coming or going) is to answer with direct, confident answers that are as short as possible. Yes and No are the best possible answers. Don't offer up any more info than absolutely necessary. No answer should be more than one sentence in length. Also, be sure to remove sunglasses. I was born and raised in Canada but moved to the US 16 years ago. I have made the trip back and forth many, many times and am speaking from experience. I learned quickly that my wife should not be the one driving when we cross the border! Her answers were always long winded and way more information than required, which only seems to invite further questioning or cause confusion between you and the border guard.

In case this is your first trip into Canada, the questions they almost always ask:

1. Where are you headed
2. how long will you be staying
3. are you bringing in firearms, tabacco, alcohol
4. the purpose of your trip
5. and sometimes country of citizenship (especially crossing back into US)

good answers would be:

1. city, province.
2. 7 days.
3. no firearms, 1 carton of cigs, 2 cases or beer.
4. fishing.
5. US.

Again..if other questions come up and they can be answered with yes or no, that is optimal.

bad answers would be:

1. we are headed to city, province. We are going to be doing some fishing. This is my 1st time going to Canada I hear its real nice. I hope the fishing is as good as they say. The guys behind us are in our group.
2. well lets see…today is Friday and I think we will be coming back Saturday morning, so about 7-8 days I guess.
3. I think we have about…well what do we have Johnny (passenger) about a carton of cigs and probably a couple cases of beer. Did we bring that bottle of Jack along too?

Well you get the point! Talk about long winded eh? Sorry for the length but getting stopped at the border sucks! I know a lot of WC'rs make the trip to Canada so just trying to share from experience. I have never made the trip hauling a boat but I would guess that invites some further questioning…anyone shed some light on this?

Have those short answers ready!

JasonMN

[Western Walleye Editor]

I am in Montana and often cross with my boat. They have never given me any problems. I agree, answer in short and polite answers. Even if they try to get to you. We had one guard that kept quizing my wife about having a gun. Asked her 3 or 4 times. I thought my wife was gonna cry! We were both very polite however and finally the guy just says, "okay, have a good day." I think if we would have argued or smarted off we would have been there a long time!

[Shellback]

Just curious? Supposed you got a real jerk who just keeps hammering questions. Could you just tell the guy it ain't worth the hassle and turn around and go back to the states, or would they call the US side just so they could break um on the way back? I've never had a problem myself in 1/2 dozen or so crossings, but there is always that one jerk, and I ain't got much patience in my old age.

[JasonMN]

Shellback,

I don't *think* they would let you just turn around. That would probably give them more reason to pull you aside and do the always fun search of you and your vehicle.

[Backwater Eddy]

One consideration is if the minor is not in your custody, such as a shared costody deal after a devorce, you need documentation.

Birth records, a sihned & court certified release from the other custodial parent, all that stuff to garentee no hastle. If you don't they will turn you around if they ask questions or worse detain you tell they know the minor is in safe hands.

This is for a good cause but it is a hastle to get the documents ready and not dated too far in advance.

I had to jump through these hoops with my son last year just in case they checked.

><,SUMO,>

Backwater Eddy.....><,,>

[Fishoil]

If you are so unfortunate as to be pulled over and searched, keep up the politeness. Remember, they are only doing their job and are within their rights to do this. I've crossed the border dozens of times and been torn down only a couple. I'm always polite, even when I desparately want to choke someone. Heck, one time they even repacked all of my stuff in the truck after the search (I must of been extra polite that day)LOL. Also, declare ALL of the alcohol you bring across, it'll save you time and money in the long run. And above all, remember you are entering a FOREIGN country.

[mac]

There are special documents you have to have when traveling with minor children and you should check them out in advance.

[mac]

Also, we have made it a point to have the oldest memeber in the party driving because they must profile 21-45 year olds. We usually split up if there are two cars and have some us us senior citizens mixed with you dope snorting hippies. We didn't one time and the car with the young guys got the full 1/2 hour treatment.

[The Great Guide]

I was just across the border at I-Falls last Thursday (1-10). This is the first time I've been across since Sept. 11. I was heading up for some trout fishing in Nestor Falls, Ont. with a buddy of mine.

First, all the boarder patrol are now wearing flack jackets and there are more on duty. After the usual questions they asked us for a photo ID and scanned them. I'm sure that criminal records come up because they asked us to come inside and see immigration. I have a clean record by my buddy has had a couple of alcohol related convictions the last one 12 years ago. He also had a Canadian Remote Access Permit revoked several years ago. After checking our records they told me I could enter, but he could not. They told me to wait down the hallway while they processed some paperwork. I was sitting next to the customs station for about 45 mins and during this time they checked through about 25 vehicles and checked photo ID's on about 50%. As we were leaving another group was heading in.

They advised my friend that he could apply for a Ministers Permit. The cost would be $750 US and he would have to mail the application to the Canadian Embassy in Detroit.

If you or anyone else is planning a trip to Ontario there is a good chance that they will check your ID's. If anything pops up you may be denied entry.

I would say that if your friend has a juvienile conviction it is likely not even on his record as most are removed at age 18. You could always call Detroit and ask.

TGG

[Rickk]

Just to add a bit to this..I have a friend that 15 years ago looked hippish,...to make matters worse he thought he needed to "escape" to live the simple life in New Brunswick,...so purchased a big old farm house and began moving all his stuff up there,(MANY trips) ..to make matters even more worse,..he had a VW Microbus (the ultimate hippie/drug mobile?) He usually made it to the border pretty late at night,...he said every time they looked at him, all the stuff, packed to the gills, and the Microbus, they thought for sure they would find a big stash of something somewhere,...apparently it took a long time to unpack and search it all,..and then he had to pack it all up again. So he began to use this tactic,...he would pull over to the inspection area immediately and say,.."I know you probably need to check out my load,..I have my sleeping bag and I'll just take a nap on the (lawn, sidewalk etc) just wake me when you are through and I'll pack everything up and be on my way." (or something close to that) anyway apparently THEY weren't crazy about taking all that stuff out either and probably figured if the guy is so cool to take a nap,..he isn't worried about what we'll find,..so they would do a cursory check and told him he was OK,...don't know if that still works but my friend felt it saved him hours,..I know thatr this doesn't exactly apply here,..but as said before,..its prob. a lot to do how you present yourself,..BTW,..after a few years od escaping,...he used the same tactic to come back,...

[lost sailor]

juvenile records can definetly show up on a backround check unless you have gone thru the process of having all files removed from court records. i know because when my son volunteered at the ymca they did a backround check and found the court record from his "ticket" for smoking tobacco when he was 15. he went to court, pled guilty and paid the ticket but this still showed up. i found out from an attourney friend of mine that you have to get certain forms and petion the court to have these records removed.
hope this helps,
skip

[Water Dog]

I have learned a visa will make border crossings easier . Remember it is cheap ID in a country forever changed by 9/11/01 .

[Casual]

Know some people crossing thru Warroad this weekend to the N.W. Angle
Anybody had any problems their?

Casual

[DarrenB]

Another thing that we've learned over the years. Make sure that you DO NOT get impatient with the lane/line you are in (especially if something is going on in the front) and try swerving over into another lane that seems to be moving quicker.
Do so only if an agent instructs you to, or if it's an obvious, common sense situation like traffic at the border is light at 5 a.m., and the lanes next to you are all empty while you are behind two people.
The few minutes you may be saving by leaving that line will certainly be made up by an officer checking you and your car out in the next line. A red flag to these customs agents is a car/driver that appears impatient,flighty and skittish as if you are avoiding something.

[Bruce/CO]

A few years ago, 4 of us crossed at International Falls with 13 cases of beer, intending to pay duty on it. Our driver was asked twice if we had any guns/ammo, and he responded, "You already asked me that." Bad move; the border guard said, "Well, I'm asking you again." and it went downhill from there. Our driver was rattled, and when asked how much beer we had, he responded with "9 cases". Next thing we knew, we were sitting on a long bench, while several border guards searched our vehicle. Since he reported 9 and we had 13 (one already in an ice chest), our driver had to go inside, for what seemed hours, but probably only 45 minutes or so. When he came out, he had been fined, and the extra (4) cases of beer confiscated. Plus, he is now on record as an international smuggler. The previous posts are correct, be polite, and answer simply and honestly. They already think Americans are #####, don't give them any more reason to believe it. By the way, we found the American border guards just as humorless.

[Dave in Mpls]

Much good advice above. The one thing that has failed to be mentioned, however, is that a DWI is considered a felony in Ontario. I don't know if an assult is or is not (I would highly doubt it), but that is why persons with a DWI on their recod are not allowed entry without MUCHO paperwork and $$.

Regards

[Micro]

Sounds like too much of a hassle to go fish there, rather fish all the great bodies of water the United States has!!!

[Skillz]

I have gone on a couple trips up north of the border (prior to 9/11)and found that the Canada border patrol is much "nicer" than their US counterparts. We ALWAYS had an "experienced" person driving (Dad) and us young bucks stayed in the back and did not speak unless spoken to. The advise in the other replies held true for us. Simple, CORRECT, short answers are generally best. Don't forget about the live bait situation too. Not exactly clear on what can come and what has to stay (worms, leeches, minnows, etc)but it would certainly suck to leave a couple pounds of leeches behind because of some ordinance-type thing. Best of luck fishing!!!

skz

[Canadian Guy]

I have crossed many times at this crossing. The US guys deserve the award for the most intimidating group I have ever run across. Right out of the movie Deliverance. Must have something to do with being a small town and all the Canadians going over there and partying. They definitely do not like us Canadians. I have never run into this antwhere else in the USA.

[Sunshine]

Check out this thread if you have an hour

http://www.walleyecentral.com/dcf/canada/2149.html