Captains Cat
New member
Found this recently posted on Tug-Nuts site...
http://www.sanjuanislander.com/federal/ ... fine.shtml
Charlie
http://www.sanjuanislander.com/federal/ ... fine.shtml
Charlie
Plan on going to Canada? Be careful coming back in....
- Thread starter Captains Cat
- Start date
My single use of Friday Harbor Customs, while nowhere near the ordeal this person went through, also left a sour taste in my mouth a couple years back.
The Border Patrol agent I spoke with on the phone, was one of the rudest, most condescending people I've had the displeasure of dealing with. I was repeatedly berated for not having a passport, even though one was not required, and I had all necessary documentation.
In contrast, those that I've dealt with in Port Angeles on several occasions, have shown the utmost professionalism. Heck...I'd go so far as to call them friendly.
The Border Patrol agent I spoke with on the phone, was one of the rudest, most condescending people I've had the displeasure of dealing with. I was repeatedly berated for not having a passport, even though one was not required, and I had all necessary documentation.
In contrast, those that I've dealt with in Port Angeles on several occasions, have shown the utmost professionalism. Heck...I'd go so far as to call them friendly.
Don and Brenda
New member
It would be interesting to see the conclusion to the story
Amen, DaNag. I think the Friday Harbor crew must have been inspired by the bureaucrats in Franz Kafka's writing. I had no real trouble there last summer, but found the agents to be extremely surly and pompous, and almost laughable in their half-witted attempts to be intimidating. I approached that dock proud to be an American and glad to be back. What a welcome!
Unless I hear reports of improvement, I will go a long way out of my way to re-enter through some other port this year.
Unless I hear reports of improvement, I will go a long way out of my way to re-enter through some other port this year.
I used the Friday Harbor customs dock last year when clearing in from Canada (had used the Roche Harbor office mostly in the past)--and also had the I 68 pass in the past.
I was treated with respect and the proceedure was prompt and easy. There were video cameras which photographed me and my passports (wife's and mine). The simple questions were easily and quickly answered.
In the case above, the person clearly did violate law--he had dinner and checked the crew into a hotel before checking into customs. No reason for rudeness or intimindation, but he definately broke the law. If you think that US customs is tough--then try some 3rd world countries. They are much tougher. All countries seem to be very protective of their boarders--and the laws must be strictly obeyed. We have visited over 45 seperate countries by boat--and each time, paid strict attention to the customs and imigation laws.
I was treated with respect and the proceedure was prompt and easy. There were video cameras which photographed me and my passports (wife's and mine). The simple questions were easily and quickly answered.
In the case above, the person clearly did violate law--he had dinner and checked the crew into a hotel before checking into customs. No reason for rudeness or intimindation, but he definately broke the law. If you think that US customs is tough--then try some 3rd world countries. They are much tougher. All countries seem to be very protective of their boarders--and the laws must be strictly obeyed. We have visited over 45 seperate countries by boat--and each time, paid strict attention to the customs and imigation laws.
Pat Anderson
New member
Depending on where you are coming from, consider Point Roberts for re-entry - we came through there enough last year that Baxter and the CBP agent (only seems to be one, but were almost always coming in during business hours on a Sunday) were on a first name basis. Strange, he kept calling him "Cujo" - is that something like "Ripper"? :lol: We found the guy business-like and friendly enough for a CBP agent...They should be courteous but DO NOT expect them to be jovial!
The real problem here is the lack of a clear understanding on the correct procedure. The boater did call ahead of time and was told something that was not correct. The person he spoke to was wrong about the procedure. If he had gotten their name, he would have been in a better position.
Here on the Brats, we have discussed the procedures several times, so we won't make that man's mistakes, RIGHT?
Check up on the current requirements by phone before crossing the border. ( DO get their name!) If the recommendations given to you don't seem right, call back later, speak to a different person and ask again
Remember, always go to the customs dock, ONLY the captain or his designated representative is allowed to leave the boat. Call on the customs phone. Have passports, pets rabies certificates, and the boat registration ready. Be sure to have a good attitude, and a friendly smile.
DO NOT JOKE with the customs officer UNTIL AFTER you are checked in. They have absolutely NO sense of humor while they are working! (And maybe not afterwards either!)
Here on the Brats, we have discussed the procedures several times, so we won't make that man's mistakes, RIGHT?
Check up on the current requirements by phone before crossing the border. ( DO get their name!) If the recommendations given to you don't seem right, call back later, speak to a different person and ask again
Remember, always go to the customs dock, ONLY the captain or his designated representative is allowed to leave the boat. Call on the customs phone. Have passports, pets rabies certificates, and the boat registration ready. Be sure to have a good attitude, and a friendly smile.
DO NOT JOKE with the customs officer UNTIL AFTER you are checked in. They have absolutely NO sense of humor while they are working! (And maybe not afterwards either!)
Alyssa Jean
New member
Exactly what Larry said.
OK...here's my input. As a law enforcement professional, I can tell you that, yes, I have virtually no sense of humor at work when dealing with the public, so I can understand the attitude. Sorry, but until you've walked a mile in my shoes....The world is FULL of liars, thieves and scum...until you prove you're NOT one of them...some people say I'm a cynic. I say I'm a realist.
That said, personally at work I'm [hopefully] a "mirror". If you're respectful, prepared and have your documents organized and your "ducks are in a row"...that's what you get back. If not, I CAN be a real a-hole. Again, sorry...but I HAVE to go home. Now this situation is different as it's not face to face personal. I still think that being prepared and sticking by the rules is STRONGLY the only way to go. I do the same when I cross the border in a vehicle.
We're only reading one side here, and as we all know there's two sides to every coin and two versions to every story. I've had miriad "complaints" about me in 13+ yrs and very few had merit. Most were from pissed of "citizens" who felt insulted. The rules are there for all; saying "I didn't know..." doesn't work especially after 9-11.
That said, personally at work I'm [hopefully] a "mirror". If you're respectful, prepared and have your documents organized and your "ducks are in a row"...that's what you get back. If not, I CAN be a real a-hole. Again, sorry...but I HAVE to go home. Now this situation is different as it's not face to face personal. I still think that being prepared and sticking by the rules is STRONGLY the only way to go. I do the same when I cross the border in a vehicle.
We're only reading one side here, and as we all know there's two sides to every coin and two versions to every story. I've had miriad "complaints" about me in 13+ yrs and very few had merit. Most were from pissed of "citizens" who felt insulted. The rules are there for all; saying "I didn't know..." doesn't work especially after 9-11.
El and Bill
New member
Our crossings at Friday Harbor (and elsewhere, all along the Canadian/US border) have been professional and courteous. Last trip in through Friday, we had a good chuckle with the Border folks - we discovered that we couldn't bring eggs back from Canada - right! eggs!! - some kind of temporary ban. We had a few, it was lunch time, so El asked if it was OK to cook them and eat them on the dock. It was, so we (and the Border folks) shared an egg salad sandwich!
The Border folks have a tough job, we respect them and their important task, and sure agree with localboy, the ones we have met are 'mirrors,' and we understand. An officer who was courteous and helpful with us, we watched a few minutes later, responding to a rude individual with harshness - and he deserved every bit of it!
The Border folks have a tough job, we respect them and their important task, and sure agree with localboy, the ones we have met are 'mirrors,' and we understand. An officer who was courteous and helpful with us, we watched a few minutes later, responding to a rude individual with harshness - and he deserved every bit of it!
I have walked a mile in LocalboyMark's shoes and agree completely with him. Having said that every profession has its A-holes including CBP and other law enforcement/doctors/dentists/etc. and you may encounter one someday. The easiest way to get through a border crossing or any other contact with law enforcement is to treat it seriously and courteously. Don't start an argument. You will not win it. Don't try to be cute. Don't let your ego get in the way of good judgment. Most of the time I had citizens become really obnoxious they were either drunk, showing how smart/tough they were for their family/friends or full of outrage that I, some mere cop and probably too dumb to do anything else, was interfering with their life. Remember, people lie to them all the time, get outraged because they have been caught violating some minor law and are actually going to be held accountable, etc. If you do encounter an A-hole be courteous, keep calm, grit your teeth, don't give them anything to refute your complaint and after the fact file a written complaint with specific detailed issues. The officer does not know that you are a gentle C-Brat and all around nice guy. Its a little different for street cops and CBP at border crossings. Street cops get killed by people they contact and you might be the one. CBP have "rich" people sneer at them every day, try to sneak drugs/banned items by them every day.
Patti and I have crossed the border many times, dealt with Canadian and US CBP a lot and with one exception have had good experiences. We had one bad experience with a female Canadian border officer. Not at the border, at Boeing Field in Seattle when we were there for our Nexus interviews. She was the proverbial A-hole and I gritted my teeth but left with the Nexus card. Just hope I don't run into her at the border.
Patti and I have crossed the border many times, dealt with Canadian and US CBP a lot and with one exception have had good experiences. We had one bad experience with a female Canadian border officer. Not at the border, at Boeing Field in Seattle when we were there for our Nexus interviews. She was the proverbial A-hole and I gritted my teeth but left with the Nexus card. Just hope I don't run into her at the border.
Here's another writeup on border crossing, from our experience:
You’ll save yourself considerable grief if you understand and graciously comply with the rules for entering Canada from the US, or the US from Canada (and of course they’re different).
As of June 1, 2009, US and Canadian citizens must present a passport or passport card, a trusted traveler (NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI) program card, or a WHTI-compliant drivers license (so far issued only in WA and a very few other states). Except for those under age 16, birth certificates and citizenship cards are no longer acceptable. Your dog needs a current rabies certificate.
If you’re entering by road, have your documentation handy – don’t make the Customs officers pull you over to climb into your boat and get it. Don’t wear sunglasses when you pull up to the Customs window – they want to see your eyes when questioning you. Smile, don’t express irritation. Answer questions politely, even if they seem repetitive. Lack of cooperation may increase the likelihood of a detailed search, which can take quite a while.
If you’re entering by boat, only the “master” may leave the vessel until Customs has been cleared. Depending on location and circumstances, this may be done over the phone, but it may require a visit from Customs officers.
Entering Canada, many items are prohibited or restricted. We’d suggest you don’t even think about bringing firearms. Long guns can be brought in, but only after going through a permitting process. No handguns. They’ll probably ask you about guns in several ways. Smile and answer nicely.
There are limits on how much alcohol and tobacco you can bring across without being delayed to pay import taxes. Check with Customs for the latest rules. Last I checked for BC, the limit was 1.14 liters of liquor per person, such that two people could bring in three bottles. Wine was limited to 1.5 liters per person, or four bottles for two people. Beer was 24 cans apiece. Coming back into the US, alcohol was limited to one liter per person.
Food is restricted in sometimes surprising ways. For as long as I can remember, we could not bring potatoes across, in either direction. Fresh fruit tends to be a problem, too. Coming into the US, meat has often been prohibited, and citrus as well. More recently the US has been allowing beef, and fruits and vegetables grown in Canada if they are labeled as such. Rules change often, and some don’t seem to make much sense, but it does you no good to object. Find out what the latest rules are before you go - it may save you having to give up a bunch of perfectly good food.
Entering Canada
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/fpa-apa/law-loi-eng.html
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub ... 1-eng.html
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub ... 2-eng.html
Entering the US
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clear ... d_inus.xml
http://www.getyouhome.gov/
You’ll save yourself considerable grief if you understand and graciously comply with the rules for entering Canada from the US, or the US from Canada (and of course they’re different).
As of June 1, 2009, US and Canadian citizens must present a passport or passport card, a trusted traveler (NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI) program card, or a WHTI-compliant drivers license (so far issued only in WA and a very few other states). Except for those under age 16, birth certificates and citizenship cards are no longer acceptable. Your dog needs a current rabies certificate.
If you’re entering by road, have your documentation handy – don’t make the Customs officers pull you over to climb into your boat and get it. Don’t wear sunglasses when you pull up to the Customs window – they want to see your eyes when questioning you. Smile, don’t express irritation. Answer questions politely, even if they seem repetitive. Lack of cooperation may increase the likelihood of a detailed search, which can take quite a while.
If you’re entering by boat, only the “master” may leave the vessel until Customs has been cleared. Depending on location and circumstances, this may be done over the phone, but it may require a visit from Customs officers.
Entering Canada, many items are prohibited or restricted. We’d suggest you don’t even think about bringing firearms. Long guns can be brought in, but only after going through a permitting process. No handguns. They’ll probably ask you about guns in several ways. Smile and answer nicely.
There are limits on how much alcohol and tobacco you can bring across without being delayed to pay import taxes. Check with Customs for the latest rules. Last I checked for BC, the limit was 1.14 liters of liquor per person, such that two people could bring in three bottles. Wine was limited to 1.5 liters per person, or four bottles for two people. Beer was 24 cans apiece. Coming back into the US, alcohol was limited to one liter per person.
Food is restricted in sometimes surprising ways. For as long as I can remember, we could not bring potatoes across, in either direction. Fresh fruit tends to be a problem, too. Coming into the US, meat has often been prohibited, and citrus as well. More recently the US has been allowing beef, and fruits and vegetables grown in Canada if they are labeled as such. Rules change often, and some don’t seem to make much sense, but it does you no good to object. Find out what the latest rules are before you go - it may save you having to give up a bunch of perfectly good food.
Entering Canada
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/fpa-apa/law-loi-eng.html
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub ... 1-eng.html
http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub ... 2-eng.html
Entering the US
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clear ... d_inus.xml
http://www.getyouhome.gov/
A Nexus card is a great thing to have if you cross even a couple of times a year. When heading back into US waters, clearance is done by phone, and in my experience the customs official on the other end of the line has been very pleasant and helpful. I'm usually heading back into Bellingham, so not having to detour into Point Roberts or Friday Harbor is a big time and fuel saver. I usually call while in Hale's pass inside Lummi. A customs agent can choose to meet me at my slip, but I don't think they do that very often.
When using the card going North into Canadian waters, you call and pre-clear, but you still need to touch a dock at one of the approved entry points. If no agent is there to talk to you, you're cleared and can proceed. They chose to meet me at the dock in Bedwell Harbor the first time I use the card to clear, and not in subsequent clearings.
If using a Nexus card everybody on board must have one in order for it to be helpful.
When using the card going North into Canadian waters, you call and pre-clear, but you still need to touch a dock at one of the approved entry points. If no agent is there to talk to you, you're cleared and can proceed. They chose to meet me at the dock in Bedwell Harbor the first time I use the card to clear, and not in subsequent clearings.
If using a Nexus card everybody on board must have one in order for it to be helpful.