Vancouver customs advice - any times for 1st time traveler?
 

I am a US citizen living in the US. I plan on visiting the northwest for the first time and along with it, Vancouver. However, I will have my whole life packed up in my pickup: the bed will be filled with containers of my belongings (clothes, books, etc) including all my health pills, green health powders and whey, along with unmarked health pills that I've made myself (I am a health and diet nut). There will also be prescription pills obtained with prescription. And last of all, a laptop with external storage containing tens of thousands of photos.

I have lived out of a pickup.

I will also have my dog and am aware she needs a vet certificate.

I had a notion of driving up to Alaska but that will create four boarder crossings in a round trip.

I am asking for trouble with my unique lifestyle?

If you are technically of no fixed address, i.e. living out of your truck, they may turn you back. Hard to say what will happen.

I have two permanent residences. I just like to drive!

only trip you will be taking is a one way trip to guantanamo bay.

I think you will have a hard time getting in. I was rejected in '05 doing basically the same thing. They said it looked like I was trying to illegally move there. I went to the small crossing like 20 miles east of the 5 some locals told me about. I think its off SR 539. Guy did not even ask for my passport that time.

crossing the border it's best to have a clean vehicle, no clutter, no excess clothing and things, if it looks like you might possibly be moving and not coming back, you won't be getting across at all, and you might get your name on the computer, flagged for any future crossing attempt you try to make :2 cents:

You're gonna have a tough time entering because it will look like you're moving with all your belongings like that. You may need to prove where you will be staying, how long, etc. You should also have proof of ownership (of a US based residence) and recent tax returns to show them that you intend on coming back to the US and not trying to leave. The unmarked pills and such will not make things any easier either.

Good luck.
WG

Thanks for your replies. I was mostly concerned about the delay of customs searching tens of thousands of computer photos and the powder and pill delay which people always seem to give me a weird eye about. However, two of you brought up a concerned that never crossed my mind: illegal relocation. It may appear I am doing so with my truck packed up.

NP. Living in AZ and the PNW, I have crossed the borders both north and south more times than I can remember. The thing I learned is always take the time to travel off the main highway to the smaller border crossings. It is worth the time to drive it compared to the wait times. Also, the agents are usually nicer and happier which makes it less intense. They don't get as busy so they don't get all the pissed off people which makes for a happier worker.:2 cents:

Yeah that might work, except for the fact that if you are coming to Vancouver, you really don't have much choice as to where to cross. There are only a few crossings and they are all busy.

also, be careful with the driving out of your way to cross at a smaller crossing thing, they might try to throw you a loop by asking "why are you crossing here instead of on the main highway?", and if you don't have a good reason you might be looking at getting more of a hassle

crossing is not a big deal, just forget about bringing all your junk with you, it is asking for a headache, just go through the normal crossing with a clean vehicle and a reasonable amount of luggage neatly organized, answer the questions truthfully, and you will be fine.

don't fuck around, border crossing is serious business, and if you ever do get denied, your name goes on the computer where it stays for a very long time (probably forever nowadays in this computer age), so abide by the law and be truthful :2 cents:

also, remember that border guards are way more powerful than regular police, and they can have the attitude that goes with that too, it is common to run into a bad attitude and an unfriendliness, not always, but it can be a very very uptight experience more often than not. even when you are not doing anything at all wrong, expect to be treated and questioned like you are some kind of criminal, it can be very off-putting if you haven't been through it before

like captain.g said, it can be "intense"

[QUOTE=fuzzylogic;18785769 the bed will be filled with containers of my belongings (clothes, books, etc) including all my health pills, green health powders and whey, along with unmarked health pills that I've made myself (I am a health and diet nut). There will also be prescription pills obtained with prescription. And last of all, a laptop with external storage containing tens of thousands of photos.
I will also have my dog and am aware she needs a vet certificate.

[/QUOTE]

Imagine you are a boarder guard and the above described pulls up. Answer your own question?

.

There is either Blaine or Sumas and yeah they are both busy these days. Thinking you will have an easier time at Sumas is a myth, I got dog searched there once.

My advice is to get things in as much order as possible so that it doesn't look like you are moving to Canada and just cross at the I5 at Blaine with everyone else.

And if those tens of thousands of photos on your external storage are adult in nature I would think twice about that. I am sure if you don't look right and are carrying a lot of porn you could face some interesting questions.

Perhaps I can load most of my stuff into a hotel room or storage unit, then cross the boarder.

You can always send it to yourself on the other side...

If your car is dirty it is a good idea to write Alaska or Bust in the dust...

Having a wallet filled with credit cards can be a plus... It shows you aren't some nut case trying to stay off the grid and that you probably have no need to run from anything.

It is also good to have a place in Alaska already planned out and maps/itinerary in the car that show it is your actual destination. And just be honest... Hey, always wanted to go to Alaska and do some fishing (have poles plainly visible) and show them your map and basically make it look like you are super excited and talkative... They will be glad to get rid of you.

#1 - Realize we have great relations diplomatically with Canada... So if they are giving you a problem ask to speak to a supervisor. And then get super chatty again... You can't be arrested for being a pain in the ass...

Thats good Alaskan advice! Perhaps I can book a hotel up there, print out the receipt to present to customs.

Unless they changed things, there is no duty free store at the Peace Arch crossing but there is at Pacific Highway, or "Truck Crossing". That's a very easy way to justify going a few miles out of your way. Just make sure you pick something up from the store before entering Canada.