Sealskin sporran

[Lallans]

OK, Those who have been though it help me out.

I have been crossed in and out of Canada (B.C.) a couple times, both times by motorcycle. the first time, which was back in the early 80's on a ride to Alaska, I was basically waved through both ways. The officer on the US asked how long I'd been up there, how was the 'Oil Can' highway, and said welcome back.
The second time was a several years ago, post 9-11, and I had only been up there for a couple hours, having passed through Glacier Nat. Park. The return crossing was very busy, but we and a few other bikers were actually waved over to a faster moving lane, met a sniffer dog, and again basically waived through. I thought that was funny at the time, because I'd been warned that they were "really bad" and to leave my "personal protection items" at the hotel. (which I would have anyway, knowing where we were going) Maybe I just hit a good day?

So my real questions are, how much search do they put you though now? And are they really looking for seal sporrans? Are they really going to quiz you about one? Q- "what's this made out of ?" A- "Leather, I guess".
I'm really wondering about this, I just think of all the wacky crap I'm sure folks try to bring into the country, I just wouldn't think sporrans, sealskin or otherwise, are high on the checklist of stuff they have to worry about.

I grew up in a border area, Canada and Vermont, and pre-911 things were as you describe them in the old days. Canadians in particular were always driving down to VT to buy gas, dairy products and things like frozen turkeys which, for no good reason, are seriously more expensive in Canada. Then 9-11 happened and suddenly every Canuck in a car was treated like, not merely a potential, but an active crimnal. New US border agents appeared who saw thier mission to be that of closing the border as much as possible- and since we're takling little friendly and optional shopping trips here, quickly succeeded. Sadly, communities that were once united in small commerce and real friendship now hardly even remember each other and it's only die-hards like me, returning to the area, that really go to the USA anymore. This was very much to the detriment of Vermonters of course, the third poorest state in the Union- and there were stories about how one fire department trying to honour old arrangements was denied entry to fight an American fire- all those things fell by the wayside as if they had never existed. People like me, who look at what happens on the Mexican border, just have to grin and bear it.

[Zardoz]

So Canuck, based on what you say, there is a "different standard" for Canadians entering the US, vs. US citizens returning?

I was mentioning this thread to my wife, and she reminded me that she and a few girlfriends had gone in and out of Ontario via the busy Niagara crossing by car about a year ago, again with no issues. She was of the opinion that at any big crossing they are too busy to detain you just for the hell of it, unless you are 'acting funny'

My basic question still is; has anyone had the type of issues everyone is warning the OP about?

[Lallans]

So Canuck, based on what you say, there is a "different standard" for Canadians entering the US, vs. US citizens returning?

{snip}

From what I hear, yes I think it's the case that the US is more prone to challenge Canadian visitors than Canada is US ones at drive-across border crossings. I'm not claiming more virtue here; we didn't have a 9-11. But I am saying the US Customs attitude as seen in the past 10 years is excessive in most cases I'm aware of.

I've never entered Canada as a US citizen, obviously, nor returned there as one. Canadians are generally super-hassled by our guys when we return home, for sure: Canada Customs is mostly worried about collecting taxes and duties. They do have the more recently added concerns of gun possession and, to a far lesser extent in their official little minds, people fleeing US justice. The first is a crime in Canada, so they sell for up to 10 times their US value, and the second is attractive to those who for instance would otherwise face the death penalty- we won't extradite unless that's taken off the table.

[AKScott]

I think most of the trouble at border crossing comes from non-verbal communication. As has been mentioned probably the highest profile targets entering Canada are folks trying to avoid import duties. So guns, liquor and tobacco. These are the folks with the most money on the line and those most likely to give off noverbal cues that poker players call "tells."

The other thing I thought of was Califonia. Parts of California are still somewhat sane, but others not so much.

Were I the OP I would probably leave my restricted (though legal) fur items at home rather than deal with the red tape of border crossings, and the risk of being doused with fake blood at the hands of ummm, people in the destination area.

[Singlemalt]

I have been regularly crossing the US/Canada border for business for 30+ years, on average 2-3 times a month. While there was always the potential for hassle from some jerk Custom Officer on either side of the Medicine Line, 99% of the time the questions and procedures made sense. However since 9/11 and particularly in the last 2 years it seems to me that border protection in the USA has become a "growth industry" which gets increasingly ridiculous and maybe more to protect the 10's of thousands of jobs and positions it created than the Republic from terrorists.

An example that hit home with me this week is a very nice young fellow who works for me was denied entry into the USA to go to a sales meeting (something which could threaten his career) because US customs computers found he had been found in possession of less than 1 gram of Pot, 15 years ago when he was 18 years and 27 days old. He plead guilty,was fined $115 dollars Canadian which he paid and has not had so much as a traffic ticket since.

This same week Charlie Sheen has done two shows in Toronto and somehow crossing the border both ways with no problems. Something smells rotten to me!

[Lallans]

I fear I have failed the forum on my latest border crossing into the US- the customs officer was not the friendly outgoing type, and in fact was so intent on catching me on something that it would have been unwise to continue the conversation after receiving his grudging permission to proceed. It really beats me as to what sort of issue they are trying to catch me on, on these occasions- I have a special clearance thing that tells them all about me, and I do mean ALL ABOUT ME. Anyway the question about personal seal fur items entering the US and then returning with the owner will have to wait for another day.

Darn it, I guess I'll just have to buy a new sporran!

[Drac]

Since my wife's family is in Ogdensburg NY and mine is in Detroit MI Amy and I go through customs quite a bit doing the family thing. Evrytime it is always the same -

Canada -

"Good day, what is the purpose of your visit today? What is your citizen ship? How long will you be in Canada? Do you have anything to declare?"

"Driving through to Detroit, about 9-10 hours and no sir."

"Very good. Have a pleasent day."

Occasionally they do a scan of the car, about 5 minutes.

Detroit -

""Why were you in Canada? How long were you there? What did you buy? Why were you in Canada? What is you purpose of trip? Are you carrying any fire arms, weapons or explosives? Can you prove you're an American? A military ID is invalid. DO you know how many foriegners are in OUR military? And why were you in Canada?"

And on and on... We sat there once for half an hour going through the third degree.

They even were going to have us unwrap every Christmas present we had in the trunk.

You would think with the amount of traffic that goes through the Windsor/Detroit crossings that this would be a standard thing and a little more professional.

Jim

[auld argonian]

I so wish that there was at least a transcription of the Mike Meyers thing about crossing the Canadian border...

The Canadian border official gets sick of the American tourist's bad attitude and sez:

"That's it! Sorry, Canada's closed."

"Closed????"

"Yeah...we're redecorating...come back in two weeks, you won't reccognize the place."

...anyhow, it's a great bit and it's on the audio CD that accompanies the big book on Second City that was published a few years back...if'n you can find a copy, it's well worth your while...last time I saw it, it was in the remaindered book bin at Border's.

Best

AA