POEing soon...

[frenzyheart 2]

So I've been reading through the POE stuff/reviews for Sarnia/Port Huron, and some mention paperwork fees (or something like that) but some don't, so I figured I'd just ask anyways, just to play it safe. We're driving a not very full at all Uhaul, so no car paperwork. (if they do search the truck, they might laugh at the lack of things in the back - a few pieces of furniture and a couple boxes. Too much for a car/trailer, yet definitely not enough for a 10" truck.. sigh.)

Anything else I should know/do/etc?

[Udella&Wiz 325]

No fees on your personal belongings. Have a list ready in case they ask what's in the boxes (sounds like it's very little and would be quick to put together).

Maybe someone else knows about these mystery fees?

[Peachey 10]

Bring $6 (US) for your I-94. Other than that, relax, it's not really that hard. Just be patient and kind with the Officers.

[canadian_wife 1,822]

I had an itemized list of stuff in my boxes and then each box was labeled "1 of ___, 2 of ____" and the border agent said that was really helpful (they even searched one of my boxes). I jsut say make the POE as easy on the agent as possible.

Good luck, congrats on the POE

[Kimbear 53]

I can't give you anymore advice than the others have but just wanted to wish you a good luck!!!

[Flames9_RN 358]

I had a list of my stuff, nothing fancy. POE dude barely looked at, never did look in my U-haul truck!

Ensure you look over ur U-haul truck. Check fluids and over all condition of the truck before accepting it.

[lilacvioletiris 11]

Bring $6 (US) for your I-94. Other than that, relax, it's not really that hard. Just be patient and kind with the Officers.

My husband (then fiance') came through Port Huron on June 30 and he didn't pay the $6 for his I-94, but I would make sure you have $6 (US) just in case. He had an itemized list of the stuff in his car, but the border guard never touched the things in the car. Since my husband imported his car, the only thing the border guard did was check the VIN number (and since it started with a number 5 and is part of some "free trade agreement" my husband didn't pay any duty fees on the car either). There is a lot of road construction on the Sarnia side so plan on a couple hours just to get to the toll booths in Sarnia, then across the bridge into Port Huron. Do you have Nexus cards for both of you? You can use the NEXUS lane and just tell them you are activating your K-1 and need to go to secondary. My fiance' had called before his POE and was told he could use the NEXUS lane and he choose to do that (which saved time!).

Plan on spending at least an hour in secondary.

Edited July 25, 2010 by lilacvioletiris

[frenzyheart 2]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm pretty calm about the whole thing. Not sure if I'll make any lists because it will be pretty clear what we have packed -- LITERALLY. We're using clear plastic tubs for just about everything and there's only going to be like 4 tubs, what little furniture he's bringing and our computers, and that's about it, lol.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Make lists of what you have packed. You may not be present if they decide to search and being able to present them with a hard copy list of what is available may mean that they don't search. If you are not bringing much that will make it easier - but it is better to have a list and not need it than to need a list and not have it.

That being said, I entered at Port Huron as well and they never looked at my list which included phytosanitary certificates for the houseplants I was bringing and vet records for the cats. If I hadn't had them, though, I'll bet I would have needed them.

Good luck at the POE.

[LiLMermaid 2]

Just wanted to say that I was never charged that $6 fee that I had heard about either. Odd how it appears to be a random thing.

[suzique3 0]

just wanted to pipe in and say good luck. We crossed over the Ambassador bridge and if it weren't a Saturday (as the border patrol had stated) we would probably have only been an hour. I had lists of everything and the border patrol did not look at any of it. I am thinking because we had everything so organized and ready for them. I did pay the $6.00 although the border patrol almost forgot to ask for it).

be patient and enjoy the experience.

[beantown79 0]

just wanted to pipe in and say good luck. We crossed over the Ambassador bridge and if it weren't a Saturday (as the border patrol had stated) we would probably have only been an hour. I had lists of everything and the border patrol did not look at any of it. I am thinking because we had everything so organized and ready for them. I did pay the $6.00 although the border patrol almost forgot to ask for it).

be patient and enjoy the experience.

I am POE'ing on Saturday at Calis ME, so excite. My fiance is flying in tonight and we are driving the U-haul down 10 hour drive how fun!!! can't wait so excited of the fact that i can pick him up tonight and know i don't have to take him back.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I am POE'ing on Saturday at Calis ME, so excite. My fiance is flying in tonight and we are driving the U-haul down 10 hour drive how fun!!! can't wait so excited of the fact that i can pick him up tonight and know i don't have to take him back.

I think that was my my POE too, back in Dec 17 2004,lol. I crossed around 1900ish, wasnt busy at all. I was the only person besides staff in the building. Mind you it was storming outside!! Very painless, and they didnt even look in my u-haul. Customs guys barely looked at my inventory list, was much more interested in his solitaire computer card game!!

[beantown79 0]

I think that was my my POE too, back in Dec 17 2004,lol. I crossed around 1900ish, wasnt busy at all. I was the only person besides staff in the building. Mind you it was storming outside!! Very painless, and they didnt even look in my u-haul. Customs guys barely looked at my inventory list, was much more interested in his solitaire computer card game!!

Thats funny!!! i heard it was easy someone i know crossed there a few weeks ago and activated their K1

[frenzyheart 2]

I hope someone sees this because I have another question:

When I got here in April, I found the flavor of tea that I like to drink down in the States (it can be bought down there, too, obviously -- it's from Starbucks) so I bought a whole bunch of it, thinking I'd be done with it by now. Well, I'm not, lol. I've checked the BP website, and I don't see anything about not being able to bring tea across the border, just stuff like meat, dairy, etc. It's all sealed tea (teabags are in sealed packages, I mean), so there'd be no way for them to think that it's something else... I'd just hate to have to get rid of it, because I can't find that specific flavor down there... if that makes sense... LOL.