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Dan Tye is the Economic Partnership’s Export Development Advisor. This article is the first in a series about crossing the Canada/USA border.

Getting the Point Across About Crossing the Border

Lately it seems that whenever we hear talk about the border, it’s all complaints: traffic backups, safety issues, security threats, etc. Is it really that bad? Before you join the chorus of complaints, take some time to understand how the system works and learn the procedures. You might change your mind.

A perfect example is the number of people who call our local politicians to complain about Canada Customs whenever traffic backs up on Highway 402. In reality, Canada Customs has nothing to do with it. You talk to Canada Customs when you enter this country, not when you leave it. Any traffic backups seen in Canada are a result of delays at the U.S. Customs. Calling Canadian politicians is unlikely to have much of an impact in a foreign country.

Not to say that there aren’t delays at the border, or to deny that they haven’t increased since 9/11. Improperly prepared paperwork, higher traffic volumes and staff shortages are compounded by an increased number of regulations that are tacked onto an already overworked, antiquated system. These have led to increased frustration by residents, staff and travelers in border towns.

In 2001, a total of 13.4 million trucks and 68.3 million cars crossed the Canada/USA border. This translates into an average of 9,326 vehicles per hour, or 2.6 vehicles per second of every single day. Keep in mind that these are average figures; processing rates can be much higher at peak periods.

With extra security efforts, resources are being depleted. Canada has only one border, whereas the United States has two, the other being with Mexico . The southern border of the USA is a hotbed for illegal activities and must be monitored very closely. Not to mention the need to watch closely international airports bringing passengers in and out from around the world. Currently, there are more U.S. Customs officials on staff at JFK airport in New York , than along the entire USA/Canada border. The point is that when policies regarding the handling of visitors are enacted, they do not differentiate between borders, i.e. all borders are considered equal.

Next, border guards are literally “Jack of All Trades”. When you speak to a border guard, they are serving a myriad of different agencies, departments and ministries. In addition to Customs and Immigration, there are approximately 65 Other Governmental Departments (OGD’s) that must also be protected and enforced daily at the border.

Customs is concerned primarily with the movement of goods entering the country. Questions such as: Are the goods taxable? Do they come from an embargoed country? Are there regulations that don’t allow you to bring them in or use them as you intend to do? Are they banned by treaties? Are they illegal in the country you are entering?

The goods affected by this wide range of regulations run from the obscure to the commonplace – even a ham sandwich or a load of firewood are prohibited from crossing the border. Trying to uphold so many laws, regulations and treaties, and trying to represent so many government departments, is a difficult task at the best of times, but to do so under such strong time pressure is monumental indeed.

At the same time, border guards are performing Immigration functions. Questions such as: Is this person really who they say they are? What is their nationality and place of residence? Are they eligible to enter the country for the purpose they have in mind? Do they have a criminal record? When you enter the USA , you may see a Customs Officer (blue shirt) or you may see an Immigration Officer (white shirt) in the booth. As stated above, both have very different duties so your treatment will vary from each. When you enter Canada , you will only ever see a Customs Officer. If an Immigration Officer is required, you will be sent inside to their office for remediation. If the guard at the booth encounters something outside their expertise or something that they think does not comply – or even if they are not sure about something, they will ask you to enter a secondary inspection to take a more thorough look at the situation. That’s how they keep up with the volume of traffic.

So what can you do to make sure you are helping to speed the flow of traffic at the border? Always bring proof of citizenship and residence and any other documentation that you or any passenger in your vehicle may need, and have it ready to show when asked. Be clear when you are describing where you are going and what you will be doing, and be honest. If you are carrying goods with you, make sure to declare them. What may seem harmless to you may not be so if you are in violation. If you are bringing gifts, DO NOT WRAP THEM! If you are going camping, DO NOT TAKE FIREWOOD! Declare all firearms and weapons, even if it is just your pocketknife. Or better yet, leave them at home.

In future issues of Taking Care of Business, we will discuss business travel and carrying commercial goods. A whole new set of rules and regulations need to be considered. Also, programs are set up at the border to relieve the congestion and help the flow of traffic. Find out how you can bypass delays on the bridge and get into the empty lane for speedy processing. Even if you only visit the USA occasionally, it is far better than sitting in gridlock. In the meantime, if you have any export questions, please contact Dan at 332-1820 or email tye@sarnialambton.on.ca.