5 Sep
2015
5 Sep
'15
9:04 a.m.
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at 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
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