We had a our first trip over the border today into the USA. My! What an experience that was

We pulled up at the border patrol, got asked questions about who we were, our jobs, where we lived, how long we'd been in Canada, where we were going and why. Did we have food, fruits, etc in the car (we packed a picnic). We then got asked to pull over and go into the border patrol office to get our visas to enter the USA. Same questions all over again, plus fingerprints. We had to leave our car and keys with another border patrol guy whilst we went in and did this. Because we had fruit in the car (I'd packed a home prepared fruit salad, not knowing that some of the stuff wasn't meant to be taken into the USA), our car was searched whilst we were obtaining our visas and I was given a leaflet on foods allowed into the USA. Nothing was confiscated. We paid our $6 each for visas, then we were on our way. We felt like criminals Sort of put a dampener on our day out.

Is this the usual experience for USA border crossings? Puts me off going again.

Whilst on holiday last year, we went over to US via Abbortsford as well. Same story as yours really without the fruit and car searching though.

He asked where we were staying (Chilliwack) Where we were from (UK) Where we were going (Sledging on MT Baker) How long for (about 4 hours) Oh he said..Long way to go from the UK to go sledging, Are you sure???? Hmmmmmmm Yes, We`ve not come from the UK to go sledging, we`ve come from Chilliwack! At first i thought "cocky get" but then he seemed alright, When i told my uncle he knew straight away which gaurd it was so he must have a reputation lol.

I was dreading coming back but it was really straightforward apart from id bought a box of smirmoff ice things in US and completely forgot to tell them on the way back in, He opened the doors, looked through the car etc but didnt say anything about the box of booze on the floor tho. I still didnt realise till we were halfway back to Chiliwack. I did declare the butter we had bought at the shop 5 mins b4 though!!

I slowed the Mustang at the border post, the top was down and so the officer could see the cooler and the child of whom I did not have custody, "where you headed?" "Vegas". "Got any fruit?" "Nope" "Have a nice day". As happens maybe one time in four he didn't even ask to see identification. I think it's important not to look like the kind of person who would be travelling with an undeclared banana.

ahahahahah

I once had an apple confiscated at O'Hare. It was rather traumatic and to this day I cannot travel internationally while accompanied by fruit.

Though it's OK if you have a gun !

That was a good border crossing.

A bad one is when they get out the rubber gloves, and you have to assume the position or positions depending on their mood.

I'm speechless

At last.

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It happens. Not every time, of course, but often enough to stop you getting complacent. Even though I have had a Nexus card since they first came out I still get an occasional grilling and visit to the office/car searched. Don't take it personally, the level of security and who they pick on is intended to be random so the bad guys can't plan.

What's a Nexus card please?

The only time we have been to the US from Canada was when we landed. The US people were helpful,friendly, efficient. The Canadians were not.

Nexus Card

As it's Canadian there's no reason why the USA should take any notice of it.

I'm a Brit/USC and we get the same every time we cross into Canada from the US. Where are you going? What is the purpose of your visit? How long are you staying in Canada? Are you bringing any goods/gifts/food/alcohol with you? A couple of weeks ago we were asked if we were taking more that $1K into Canada.

A few years ago Canadian immigration would just wave you through if you had a UK or US PP. Many times they didn't even look at the PP...how things have changed.

Haven't crossed over by car since 1990 and it was a lot of questions even then. The guards obviously did not attend charm school. From what you write you didn't do too badly.

For instance you didn't have your tyres removed and inspected.

Plus you avoided the rubber gloves cavity search, where you assume an intimate position, as has been pointed out above.