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Funny things to declare over the US/Canada border...

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Filed: Other Timeline

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for sharing your stories about the things you and/or others have declared over the border! :thumbs:

Wow, there are so many interesting things to declare, and so many stories to share with that too!

Interesting to read all of your stories so far about declaring:

-cookies (CDAgirlMI)

-historical weapons (Kathryn41) (by the way, are permits needed for those?)

-tim horton's coffee (Kathryn41)

-watercolour paints (Kathryn41)

-shoes (Hugglebuggles)

-talking about firearms (Hugglebuggles' aunt) (hmm...maybe the American guards wanted to learn something from them...)

-books and candy (Rhiann)

-craft cutter (Sundrop) (gasp..is that really a weapon?)

-leapfrog pen (Sundrop) (lol..not deadly, but annoying..probably..)

-toilet paper (Flames9_RN) (lol..what brand? The Royale/kitty cat brank they don't sell here in the USA..)

-timbits (Frenzyheart) (lol..doesn't everyone declare those...the Americans want those!)

-vitamin water (Frenzyheart)

-computer (DeadpoolX)

-cds and video games (DeadpoolX)

-swords (DeadpoolX) (oh my...really you collect those?...surprised they didn't take those)

-clothes (DeadpoolX) (funny they took those instead of the swords...lol....wonder what would have happened if you put the swords in the clothes)

-hockey equipment (J&K)

-wwII historical stuff (J&K) (odd that they didn't even bother asking about that)

-sunny D red snow (Missa) (lol...darn sunny, indeed!...make sure not to leave that during a cold day)

-mcdonalds burgers (darkchilde794's co-worker) (lol..lesson learned: don't be a smart-alec there..never knew that burgers were not allowed..lol...)

-lots of different things (neiks) (I'm sure you've seen a lot, being a border guard and all!..Makes your job very interesting, indeed!)

-books (Sam and Ben) (yeah, the whole immigraiton process leaves everyone broke..at this point, even a book is a luxury..lol..)

Again, thanks for sharing your stories everyone! And to those of you who haven't done so yet, keep on adding to the list!

Oh this is very entertaining! Sure makes "border crossing" a whole new experience! :lol:

And a warning to all: "Be careful what you bring!" Or you'll end up telling your tale on this thread!.... :lol:

Ant

Edited by Ant+D+A

**Ant's 1432.gif1502.gif "Once Upon An American Immigration Journey" Condensed Timeline...**

2000 (72+ Months) "Loved": Long-Distance Dating Relationship. D Visited Ant in Canada.

2006 (<1 Month) "Visited": Ant Visited D in America. B-2 Visa Port of Entry Interrogation.

2006 (<1 Month) "Married": Wedding Elopement. Husband & Wife, D and Ant !! Together Forever!

2006 ( 3 Months I-485 Wait) "Adjusted": 2-Years Green Card.

2007 ( 2 Months) "Numbered": SSN Card.

2007 (<1 Months) "Licensed": NYS 4-Years Driver's License.

2009 (10 Months I-751 Wait) "Removed": 10-Years 5-Months Green Card.

2009 ( 9 Months Baby Wait) "Expected": Baby. It's a Boy, Baby A !!! We Are Family, Ant+D+BabyA !

2009 ( 4 Months) "Moved": New House Constructed and Moved Into.

2009 ( 2 Months N-400 Wait) "Naturalized": US Citizenship, Certificate of Naturalization. Goodbye USCIS!!!!

***Ant is a Naturalized American Citizen!!***: November 23, 2009 (Private Oath Ceremony: USCIS Office, Buffalo, NY, USA)

2009 (<1 Month) "Secured": US Citizen SSN Card.

2009 (<1 Month) "Enhanced": US Citizen NYS 8-Years Enhanced Driver's License. (in lieu of a US Passport)

2010 ( 1 Month) "Voted": US Citizen NYS Voter's Registration Card.

***~~~"The End...And the Americans, Ant+D+BabyA, lived 'Happily Ever After'!"...~~~***

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Interesting to read all of your stories so far about declaring:

-historical weapons (Kathryn41) (by the way, are permits needed for those?)

Since they were flintlocks, they technically aren't considered 'firearms' so no permit needed

Now...if it had been my WWII Bren Gun (LMG) I probably would have been surrounded by a SWAT team and had some serious trouble :lol:

Edited by J&K

AOS/EAD

04/07/07 - Sent AOS/EAD to Chicago

04/09/07 - Received at Chicago Lockbox

04/16/07 - NOA Date

05/10/07 - Transferred to CSC

05/30/07 - Case Pending at CSC

06/19/07 - Card Production Ordered for AOS

06/22/07 - Approval Notice Sent for AOS

06/23/07 - Welcome to America Letter received!

06/27/07 - Green Card Received

Removing Conditions

06/03/09 - Sent I-751

06/04/09 - Received at VSC

06/05/09 - NOA1

07/01/09 - Biometrics - Alexandria, VA

07/02/09 - the Lonely Touch

10/29/09 - Approved!

11/04/09 - Card Production Ordered

3dflags_usa0001-0001a.gif John 3dflags_can0001-0001a.gifKrystin = 3dflags_usava01-0001a.gif

3D Flags

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

on our last trip to see my kids in canada we brought them like 10 loafs of toast ,since its pretty cheap here paid 1$ compare to montreal almost 3 bucks we had them on the back seat the guard askd whats that ,

lol we said its our food for the next 3 days while we are in canada ,lol

then on the way back we bought like 2 lbs of chicken mock ( similie poulet ) ,and 10 pack of mars bars ( 1 pack with 4 in it )

the guard asked whats in the backseat bag ,we told him he said oh someone likes chocolate ,

tony started laughing said yeah she eats it on the sanwich with the similie poulet , lol

the guard smilled wished us a save trip lol

Edited by Lona.C.

 

129f for K1 visa filed in march 07 check my timeline for full info

03 March 2008 , received welcome letter and 2 year GC yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh

22 NOV 2009 to lift condition GC expires 22 Feb 2010

24 Nov 09 send in I 751 ( ROC , in VT )

25 Nov 09 Your item was delivered at 12:10 PM in SAINT ALBANS, VT 05479 to INS .

30 Nov 09 Check Cashed

21 Dec 09 biometric

On March 9, 2010, we ordered production of your new card.

12 March 2010 received approval letter in mail

16 March 2010 10 year Green Card received in mail exp date March 09 / 2020

April 14/2017 send N400 

04/25/17 credit card charged 

04/25/17 e mail NOA send 

05/01/17 hard copy of NOA dated 04/25 received in mail

05/06/17 biometric hard copy in mail 

05/19/17 Biometric appointment in Hartford CT 

07/17/17 Inline for Interview 

07/24/17 Interview letter in mail 

08/24/17 Interview in Springfield MA ... Yes Aproved

09/14/17 Oath Ceremony .... done I am a US citizen

09/22/17 Applied for Passport ( per reg mail ) 

10/04/17 got passport in mail  

10/13/17 got certificate in mail  , updated status with social security office 

AM DONE YEAHHHHHHHHHHH 

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Country: Canada
Timeline

i Declared my 2 box of pop tarts on my way back to canada...

and some knotts berry farm jam...

hahaha... they don't have those brand in canada...

Process took us 1 year and 5 month from I-129F to Green Card

*09-??-2006* Met online @ world of warcraft

*~3 years later*

*01-??-2009* Relationship started

*03-01-2009* Went to see him 1 week

*03-05-2009* We got engaged

*04-06-2009* Sent I-129F

*04-07-2009* I-129F received at USCIS (California)

*04-09-2009* NOA1 received

*04-17-2009* He came to see me that weekend

*05-30-2009* He came visit me for 1 week

*07-01-2009* Still waiting the Noa2

*07-17-2009* OMG IT GOT TOUCH!! XD

*07-20-2009* Got the Noa2 without trouble!

*08-14-2009* Went to see him 2 week!

*08-18-2009* Got the packet 3!

*09-08-2009* sent Pack 3

*10-27-2009* Packet 4 received!

*11-06-2009* Gone for 1 week to see my baby

*11-20-2009* Medical at medisys + Police certificate

*12-01-2009* INTERVIEW Passed!! success!

*01-08-2010* Big Move ^^

*01-09-2010* Wedding

*02-26-2010* Filling for AoS

*03-10-2010* NOA

*03-30-2010* Biometrics taken

*09-24-2010* AOS Aproval

*I did not request my EAD or AP

*We did not get an interview

*09-30-2010* Green Card in hand!

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Last time we went through (just over a week ago) we declared "Gifts for Varba's mom and Thanksgiving decorations". We COMPLETELY forgot about our halloween costumes in the trunk. So the guy looks in the trunk and I notice him opening my bag n stuff and he comes back to the car and says "Why do you have heads and wigs in your trunk?" and I said "OH! It was Varba's halloween costume, he was the 3 headed knight from monty python". He laughed, gave us back our passports and told us to have a nice drive.

I have never been pulled into secondary. Will be my first tiime when I POE for reals.

12/31/2009 - Marriage

07/21/2010 - AOS approved

08/04/2010 - Green Card received (and it's actually green!)

05/30/2012 - Sent ROC packet to VSC

06/08/2012 - Received NOA1 for ROC (Dated 06/04/2012)

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline

I once declared a large half eaten pizza pizza with pepperoni. I think the border guard was hungry cause I could just about see his mouth watering. :rofl:

Oh and going into Canada, I declared 2 2 liter bottles of Vanilla Creme Soda. The guard said he never heard of it, but that it sounded interesting. It was a gift for a friend who used to date a guy here and she just loves it.

6/27/2009 Married after being together almost 2 years

USCIS Journey

I-130 package sent - 8/5/2009

I-130 package received - 8/9/2009

Check cleared my bank - 8/17/2009

NOA1 - 8/12/2009

NOA2 - 9/11/2009

NOA2 hard copy received - 9/18/2009

NVC Journey

NVC Received : 9/28/2009

Received DS-3032 / I-864 Bill : 10/2/2009

Pay I-864 Bill : 10/5/2009

Receive I-864 Package : 10/7/2009

Return Completed I-864 : 10/9/2009

Return Completed DS-3032 : 10/6/2009

Receive IV Bill : 10/20/2009

Pay IV Bill : 10/22/2009

Return Completed DS-230 Package : 10/26/2009

Log-In Fail: 11/6/2009

Case Completed at NVC : 11/9/2009

Received Interview date: 1/22/2010

Medical Exam: 2/23/2010 at 1:30 p.m. - yep he went for the latest possible appointment......

Interview date: 3/1/2010 APPROVED!!!!!

POE: 3/8/2010 - Thousand Islands

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I brought my cat to my fiance's a few months after I met him since I was travelling back and forth a lot and she was alone way too much. My mom drove her across with me (I don't drive). We had gotten all her shots and paperworks updated in anticipation of being questioned at the border. She was in the back seat of the car in her carrier, meowed all the way across the bridge but was quiet while we were being questioned. The officer asked my mom "do you have anything to declare?" My mom said "nope" and we went right through, he never even glanced at the large obvious pink pet carrier.. then my mom says "oops, I probably should have declared the cat, eh?" Can't blame her for lying by omission due to a pure brain fart, lol.

Also I carry a large bulky backpack practically every time I cross since it's the easiest way to lug my overnight stuff and they never check it, but God forbid I bring a suitcase.. we went on vacation together back in September and they opened up my suitcase and pried around in it. Plus I have carried a computer tower across a couple times and they'll get out a flashlight and shine it in the corners, completely ignoring my bags. :P

Funniest crossing ever was when the officer was having a conversation with the guy in line ahead of me, still talking to him he waved me over, glanced at my passport and waved me through. Literally did not say a word to me. I was like wow, what can I get away with this time? :whistle:

The thing I declare most though is subs since I work at subway and bring em with me, they never even ask what's in them. :D

Edited by Kevbev09

AoS Timeline

08/26/10 Visa received

08/27/10 PoE Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls

09/10/10 Married!

10/14/10 AoS, AP and EAD apps mailed

10/26/10 Received NoAs for all 3

11/16/10 Biometrics appt

11/24/10 RFE on AoS, missing tax forms

11/29/10 Received RFE in mail, sent back forms

01/05/11 Received interview letter in mail

02/03/11 AoS Interview -- APPROVED!!

02/12/11 Green card in mail!

Removal of conditions will be Nov 2012

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Interesting to read all of your stories so far about declaring:

-historical weapons (Kathryn41) (by the way, are permits needed for those?)

Since they were flintlocks, they technically aren't considered 'firearms' so no permit needed

Now...if it had been my WWII Bren Gun (LMG) I probably would have been surrounded by a SWAT team and had some serious trouble :lol:

Right - the 'technology' was exempt. They do still have to meet the Firearms legislation requirements for safe storage and safe transport but they don't need to be registered. It is funny - cannon crews regularly cross the border with a whole range of artillery being pulled behind them and they have no problems entering the US or Canada either.

“...Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we knew all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there?”

. Lucy Maude Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

5892822976_477b1a77f7_z.jpg

Another Member of the VJ Fluffy Kitty Posse!

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline

I brought coffee and chocolate back from Guatemala for Spoom this past year with no real issues - guy wanted to discuss why I keep going back to Guatemala though! (in case anyone else was wondering, we're working on constructing a new hospital in a remote village called Santiago Atitlan).

I always declare my pocket knife (it's always in my car or on me). The guard usually asks to see it, and then cracks up when I pull it out of my pocket. It's bright pink and purple, and about 5" long with no flip mechanism or spring load. Not a threat to anyone really, but more than enough to make (almost) every border guy I've talked to crack up when they see it :) They usually just wave me on at that point.

We had some really unusual border guys this weekend when we went to interview - the Canadian side guy (going to the interview) told me that it was unneccessary for me to be at Spoom's interview in Montreal, and that he'd never heard of a K-1 visa before. I don't know what his issue was, but he was either messing with me or dumb. My friend was coming with me as well (her boyfriend lives in Montreal) and the border guy asked us if we'd joined a support group for americans with canadian boyfriends.

After the interview, coming back (US side), we watched 4 cars in our lane and the one next to ours get sent to secondary. The border guy asked us what cities we'd been in (Montreal and Toronto), whose car we were driving (mine), and then asked for additional IDs from both of us. We both gave him our drivers liscenses, and he stared at his computer screen for about 5 minutes before reluctantly letting us go.

Even our toll collectors were weird - the guy shoved his hand into my car and yelled "GIVE IT TO ME, GIVE IT TO ME" until I handed him the money, and then shoved the change back in my face yelling "TAKE IT, TAKE IT, GO GO GO!" :blink:

I think I've been lucky not to get questioned further about all the ####### in my car - it's usually a rolling junkpile.

Edited by ScooterMac

Timeline for Spoom

2009-02-14: Engaged!

2009-02-21: Sent I-129F package to VSC

2009-11-09: Interview!! - APPROVED!!!

2009-11-21: POE

2010-01-23: WEDDING!!!

2010-02-19: Sent I-485 (AOS), I-765 (EAD), I-131 (AP) package to Chicago Lockbox

2010-03-01: NOA1

2010-03-16: Transferred to CSC!

2010-03-24: Biometrics in Buffalo

2010-04-21: AOS APPROVED!

2010-04-27: Received I-797 Approval / Welcome to America letter for AOS

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Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline

Really no reason for a Cdn POE dude to know what a K1 visa is, and he was right, the USA spouse doesn't have to be at the interview

Canadians Visiting the USA while undergoing the visa process, my free advice:

1) Always tell the TRUTH. never lie to the POE officer

2) Be confident in ur replies

3) keep ur response short and to the point, don't tell ur life story!!

4) look the POE officer in the eye when speaking to them. They are looking for people lieing and have been trained to find them!

5) Pack light! No job resumes with you

6) Bring ties to Canada (letter from employer when ur expected back at work, lease, etc etc)

7) Always be polite, being rude isn't going to get ya anywhere, and could make things worse!!

8) Have a plan in case u do get denied (be polite) It wont harm ur visa application if ur denied,that is if ur polite and didn't lie! Refer to #1

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Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Canada
Timeline
Really no reason for a Cdn POE dude to know what a K1 visa is, and he was right, the USA spouse doesn't have to be at the interview

I'm aware of that, but every other Canadian border official I've spoken with has either recognized the term "K-1", "fiance visa" or at least understood what I meant once I explained it. He didn't. I said several times that my fiance was immigrating from Canada to the States.

Also, he told me I didn't need to be at his interview since I was moving to Canada - I have NO idea where he got the idea I was moving there from, and it took a few minutes of explaining before he seemed to (kinda) understand that I was a USC and not moving.

I thought maybe I'd been unclear when I first started to explain, and I asked my passenger if I'd been clear enough. She also thought the guy was bonkers. Maybe he was just having a off night.

Timeline for Spoom

2009-02-14: Engaged!

2009-02-21: Sent I-129F package to VSC

2009-11-09: Interview!! - APPROVED!!!

2009-11-21: POE

2010-01-23: WEDDING!!!

2010-02-19: Sent I-485 (AOS), I-765 (EAD), I-131 (AP) package to Chicago Lockbox

2010-03-01: NOA1

2010-03-16: Transferred to CSC!

2010-03-24: Biometrics in Buffalo

2010-04-21: AOS APPROVED!

2010-04-27: Received I-797 Approval / Welcome to America letter for AOS

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Filed: Other Country: Canada
Timeline
I once declared a large half eaten pizza pizza with pepperoni. I think the border guard was hungry cause I could just about see his mouth watering. :rofl:

Oh and going into Canada, I declared 2 2 liter bottles of Vanilla Creme Soda. The guard said he never heard of it, but that it sounded interesting. It was a gift for a friend who used to date a guy here and she just loves it.

mmm, I love Vanilla Cream soda

mvSuprise-hug.gif
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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Canada
Timeline

I declared Canadian coca cola coming back into the US. Real sugar, mmm.

Generally, I err on the side of caution and declare anything I've bought. :P Which, one time, included those press on/sticky bras. The guy blinked and laughed and said his wife loves them and let me go on.

Edited by Aero and Dero

Together: 10/10/2001 - current

The Process, Part 1

09/09/09 - I-129F sent certified mail express to CSC.

09/10/09 - I-129F received and signed for by INS Express Mail.

09/11/09 - NOA1 notice date.

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J&K you have a Bren gun!!!!!!!!!!!! That is probably the coolest thing i've read on VJ all day!

Yes, I have a Bren Gun...but it's only Semi-Auto :)

A friend of mine has many many many WWII full autos though, including Bren Guns, MP40, MP44, MG34, MG42.

It's kind of disgusting, but only because I'm jealous :lol:

AOS/EAD

04/07/07 - Sent AOS/EAD to Chicago

04/09/07 - Received at Chicago Lockbox

04/16/07 - NOA Date

05/10/07 - Transferred to CSC

05/30/07 - Case Pending at CSC

06/19/07 - Card Production Ordered for AOS

06/22/07 - Approval Notice Sent for AOS

06/23/07 - Welcome to America Letter received!

06/27/07 - Green Card Received

Removing Conditions

06/03/09 - Sent I-751

06/04/09 - Received at VSC

06/05/09 - NOA1

07/01/09 - Biometrics - Alexandria, VA

07/02/09 - the Lonely Touch

10/29/09 - Approved!

11/04/09 - Card Production Ordered

3dflags_usa0001-0001a.gif John 3dflags_can0001-0001a.gifKrystin = 3dflags_usava01-0001a.gif

3D Flags

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