Mikeypm

I had an ETSA and still had to pay the 6 bucks and get an I94. That was back in March of this year.

Former Lancastrian

If going into the US for lunch, shopping etc then you need the I94 and pay the $6.
If flag poling then you tell USCBP that you are making a landing in Canada and you want to go back to Canada immediately. They will issue you an Admin Refusal which you show to CBSA when you get back. There has been some discussion on getting the Admin Refusal as to if it will affect future trips to the USA. In my experience it does not but others say they have been delayed because of this. There is just a gas station and duty free store in Pembina ND no restaurant and Grand Forks is 1 hour south. Your choice.

chiefmissile

Thanks, which is closer to Brandon? Last year we went down through Emerson, but realise that there are only certain border crossings that can process COPR.

Cheers

Andrew

Former Lancastrian

Boissevain is the other south of Brandon I can't comment on what type of service you will get there but Im sure they have done landings before.

chiefmissile

Hi, yeah asked about this but GC44 tells me you can't, its got to be Emerson, but I don't know for sure. Anyway I hoping that it does not come to that and we have our COPR before we leave on 7th Aug

As always, thanks very much for your help.

Regards

Andrew

ninaDGBCA

No you always have to pay that if you are not a US or Canadian citizen apart from when you get an administrative refusal, then it's free . By car you have to fill out the green I94, pay $6 and off you go. By plane ESTA, that's valid for 2 years and when we returned from the UK over Christmas and went by car to the US shopping not long after the US officers told us that within 30 days from returning we do not need to pay nor fill anything out. We went a couple of months ago again and filled I94s again. So maybe last year you had the ESTA and crossed by car not long after arriving via the States? Other than that I don't know why you wouldn't pay.

chiefmissile

Hi, yes your right we came to Winnipeg via a flight from Chicago, so that would explain the non payment, thanks for clearing that up.

Regards

Andrew

jamesmc

can you not go down through Peace gardens (straight south o Brandon on #10) its a main crossing point.
jimmy

Quaks

When I got my last I94 border patrol was telling me they are meant to get the ETSA system later this year which will make things easier.

ninaDGBCA

no filling in forms (I94) anymore but still paying $6 every 90 days

Quaks

$6 every 90 days is well worth the thousands I save in avoiding BC tax. Can't remember the last time I bought anything in Canada.

ninaDGBCA

Oh I totally agree! Only buying 3 gallons of milk once pays for the $6. We spend plenty in Canada but once a month we do a big shop in the States.

chiefmissile

Yes you can, but not that confident that Boissevain will process it, or as Former Lancastrian says "not sure of the level of service". My sister in law's parents used to own the duty free there and for some reason that is one of the most unfriendly border crossings. Just have to hope we have COPR before we land in Aug, if not plan B, wait for COPR then go to Grand Forks with kids, stay in Canad Inn (Great water slides) then head back to activate COPR

Regards

Andrew

jamesmc

just phoned a friend ...lol i called it boissevain ,its Peace gardens says she..
anywho i was informed yup its a class A crossing but go to Emmerson crossing an hr an a half east ,,,staff not as grumpy.
personally i found the CBSA staff ok and Emmerson ones were the the grumpsnot that i would do their job.for all the tea in China!
jimmy

Frank40

Of course not.