Border crossing blues at Niagara

[Dilyri]

Wanted to give you guys a heads up of if heading over the border. I spent 1.5 hours at the border to go to a cruise night in Buffalo.

As soon as I got to the customs booth the agent asked me where I was going.
I said to a car show and his reply was "not tonight your not". He thought right hand drive cars were illegal in NY (or the states in general). So he asked me to turn it off and give him the keys. Then I got out of the car and was escorted to the office by two agents while another agent drove the car over.

After filling out paperwork about where I was going and specifically that it was an offence to import the car and sell it (they hand wrote that on the border declaration and made me sign beside it). They called me back to the window three times before I was allowed to leave. 1.5 hours later and I am sure they went through the car.

I asked if this might be the standard every time I bring the car over and he said" it might, and just plan for the extra time"

So just a heads up for you guys crossing at Niagara crossings.

Here is the kicker...My GTR is basically stock, no tint, no loud pipes. And I am 41 years old. I would be prepared if you are a young guy crossing.

[krarks]

Pure bs man. One more reason just to stay in Canada and not travel to the US (atleast with my GTR)

[DreadedFist]

Border guards who don't understand the laws (or care about them) that they are supposed to be enforcing? I'm shocked and appaled!

No but seriously. They are border guards because of things like this. You can go on a cross USA road trip in your skyline and take months to do it. If a car is registered, plated and legal in another country, they have to let you in. This is why when you drive around in Texas or Arizona or even Southern California to a certain extent, you are going to see lots of cool Alfa Romeo's and Peugots that have Mexican plates.

Fortinutely, most border guards aren't total bafoons. sucks you had to run into the one guy who failed grade 7 (three times), though.

[RSi]

Border guards who don't understand the laws (or care about them) that they are supposed to be enforcing? I'm shocked and appaled!

No but seriously. They are border guards because of things like this. You can go on a cross USA road trip in your skyline and take months to do it. If a car is registered, plated and legal in another country, they have to let you in. This is why when you drive around in Texas or Arizona or even Southern California to a certain extent, you are going to see lots of cool Alfa Romeo's and Peugots that have Mexican plates.

Fortinutely, most border guards aren't total bafoons. sucks you had to run into the one guy who failed grade 7 (three times), though.

Better put on your tinfoil helmet tonight, mate... they'll be watching you!

[PureEuroM3]

When I went in last year I had not a single issue. 3 guys aged 20 or so in a GTS-T! You got the shaft man maybe they noticed the crackdown on Canadian owners driving across and selling them.

[starboy869]

A board guard can denied entry your ass for no reason. BTW Your rights are pretty much "what rights" when dealing with US customs agents.

[DarkCaporaL]

^ Yup. The Americans can basically do anything they want and refuse you entry for no reason.

Sounds like they are doing a crackdown on cross border sales. They probably though you were going to the US to sell it.

Did they eventually let you pass or did they turn you around?

[bobbo]

This is one more reason why I married a customs officer!!!

[dah_hunter]

Those Crazy US border guards..

[pmdawg]

It MAY have been more to it then just that, Tell me did the border agents attitude change as soon as he swiped your passport into the system or was it as soon as you pulled up? Any previous tickets/arrests/criminal history will also flag you to them regardless how old you are now. I went to WoodWard, cruised 13 miles enjoyed every moment of it and came back without any issues.

I'm not saying your a criminal, I'm just saying that there might've been more to your situation.

[DreadedFist]

Better put on your tinfoil helmet tonight, mate... they'll be watching you!

Hey man this **** is stylish.

[Dilyri]

Nope, No criminal history, he barely had time to swipe the passport by the time he said that. They are cracking down on the cross boarder sales where canadians drive them over sell them for cash and find another way back into the country. Thats why they had me initial next to the line on the customs form that stated I know it is an offense to sell the car in the states. If I go again I will let you know if it happens again.

[starboy869]

however one thing to remember if you get bitchy with a customs agent when they refuse you there's a good chance the rest of your day is going to suck. ie. jail

[MaxGTST]

Last year me and 2 friends went to the US in a skyline .. 3 19yo and they didn't do anything, hope this year will stay the same, I want to go to Formula D without any hassle.

[Chewy]

for christ's sake, it's "BORDER".