POE

[Tater&Bugger 3]

Sorry for SUCH a delay! We had no internet for over a week and have just been busy getting everything together. Big wedding day is on the 25th!

So this is my easier than life POE story. I entered on Sept 3, the Friday of the Labour Day long weekend. The border wasn't busy, and it was around 3pm. Thank god! I drove to the officer first in my car with my cat and plant in the back and my fiance was in a UHaul behind me. I also had the inventory list on me. The first thing the guy said to me when I pulled up was "Oh oh you can't be bringing that plant with you... no no". Then I politely stated I was activating my Visa and moving to the US, but was previously told I could bring my plants as long as I declare them. I also explained that was my fiance behind me with all my belongings. I handed him my package and he and some other officers were chatting away. He told me to pull up ahead and leave my keys with so and so. I told them there was a cat in the car and I'd be leaving her there with the windows down, so just FYI. I go into the building and it was FULL of people, and what I might add looked like they were asked to go in there due to racial profiling. Sad. My fiance came in maybe 2 mins after. That was quick! He said that the officer told him he didn't have to pull over and can just go straight to Fort Drum with all my stuff. He didn't care or need to know what was inside. Hm. Right after my fiance came in I was called to the counter maybe 30seconds later. The man was very friendly and chatted me and my fiance up the whole time. Apparently he had been once posted to Fort Drum too. He got all our paper work done in a jiffy and joked about making sure I KNEW I had to get married ASAP and NOT go home until I had my greencard. If there is an emergency make sure to get approval from USCIS before leaving. He then stated that although I have to send my package to Chicago, it'll be transferred to an office in Syracuse so to call them once everything has been mailed out. He also told me not to tell anyone he said this so SHHH haha. Stamp and stamp and he told us to have a great weekend! ... again I was hoping for a 'WELCOME TO AMERICA' but I didn't get it. Just like I never got the 'YOU'RE APPROVED' line haha. OH WELL!

All in all it was very easy and pleasant. Really too easy almost. They never asked for my cats papers (although I checked and its not mandatory), nor did they ask for proof that the vehicle was mine and compliant, so I guess that'll just be at the licensing stage. They didn't ask anything about what I was bringing with me either. I had no further issues with my plant, which is now in our living room.

I've always crossed at this border and if anyone lives in Eastern Ontario I recommend it. I visited to US SOOO many times with no ties to Canada and never once had a problem.

Thanks for everyone's help, now I am in the lovely stages of planning for my AOS (applying on the 27th) and it's even crazier than the K1 haha. So expect more questions soon! I wish everyone else with upcoming interviews and POE's the very best! Hope it goes as easily and smooth as mine.

xo T

[Kimbear 53]

Welcome to America!!! woot congrats!! I never even realized it was that time for you already!!

Such a nice POE, glad you had no problems at all!!

[Canadiandggal 49]

That is quite awesome as that will be where I will be poeing as a cr-1/2 . SOunds like a farly good experience. congrats and good luck

[Marilyn. 340]

congrats on the move!

although I am wondering about the car thing because from what i read on here I was under the impression you had to do something at the border to import your car...

[patient2010 93]

WELCOME TO AMERICA glad you are in and getting settled!!!!

[Colleens 40]

congrats on the move!

although I am wondering about the car thing because from what i read on here I was under the impression you had to do something at the border to import your car...

I agree...did you tell them that you wanted to import your car? There should have been a form you filled out and they should have stamped for when you want to register your vehicle. You had to fill out an HS-7 form, and then they gave me a customs declaration form as well to fill out. They stamped the customs declaration, HS-7 and my compliance letter with a big red Department of Homeland Security stamp.

At least if you are in Ft. Drum, you don't have that far to go back to do the import!!

[HeatDeath 430]

I agree...did you tell them that you wanted to import your car? There should have been a form you filled out and they should have stamped for when you want to register your vehicle. You had to fill out an HS-7 form, and then they gave me a customs declaration form as well to fill out. They stamped the customs declaration, HS-7 and my compliance letter with a big red Department of Homeland Security stamp.

At least if you are in Ft. Drum, you don't have that far to go back to do the import!!

You will have to go to a PoE to import your car, before the DMV will register it. If your PoE is close you can do it there, but if there is an international airport closer you can call the CBP "Deferred Inspection Unit" at the airport. Make an appointment and bring your car (plus compliance letters and proof of ownership) and they can import your car and give you the paperwork the DMV will need to register it.

You'll want to look up the blue book value of your car before you go. They'll need it for one of the import forms.

[Colleens 40]

You will have to go to a PoE to import your car, before the DMV will register it. If your PoE is close you can do it there, but if there is an international airport closer you can call the CBP "Deferred Inspection Unit" at the airport. Make an appointment and bring your car (plus compliance letters and proof of ownership) and they can import your car and give you the paperwork the DMV will need to register it.

You'll want to look up the blue book value of your car before you go. They'll need it for one of the import forms.

You will need to fill out an HS-7 form, and a customs delcartaion form at the border. You will also need to give them your compliance letter. They will stamp them with a big red stamp and give them back to you. The CBP guy who did mine suggested that I make color copies of them and give those to the DMV when registering so if they keep them (my DMV did not) you still have the originals if you should ever need them.

At Ft Drum you are not too far to go back to the border and have this done. It took me about 20 mins to get mine done when I did it. I think that I had to provide the mileage on the car...can't quite remember....Just remember to have it converted from Km to Mi if they do!!