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Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site oliveb.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!pesnta!hplabs!oliveb!gnome
From: gnome@oliveb.UUCP (Gary Traveis)
Newsgroups: net.travel
Subject: Re: Re: US/Canada Customs
Message-ID: <316@oliveb.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 13-Mar-85 17:27:19 EST
Article-I.D.: oliveb.316
Posted: Wed Mar 13 17:27:19 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 17-Mar-85 00:03:28 EST
References: <853@decwrl.UUCP> <1508@ihuxl.UUCP>
Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino, Ca
Lines: 44

...
> > have never been asked to open my trunk, have never even been asked
> > for a driver's license or other proof of residence...
> > 
> >     				Vick Bennison
> 
...
> check up on us.  After a 15 minute delay, we were allowed to leave after
> paying a stiff $1.50 duty, making it a very expensive six-pack.  And I
> don't even drink beer!
> 				Dave Newkirk, ihnp4!ihuxl!dcn
> -- 

When I went into Canada a year or so ago, I made the mistake of bringing
a portable VCR and camera with me.  Not wanting a hassle from US customs
on my return, I pre-registered the equipment with them.  Little did I know
that the Canadian customs people are known to be some of the worst in the
world!

In order to bring my equipment across the border I had to pay 15% in taxes
JUST IN CASE I decide to sell it while I'm in Canada.  If I bring everything
back out when I leave, I get my money back!

So, after an hour and 45 minutes in customs (they had to look up everything
in a set of six loose-leaf binders and ask their supervisor regarding  the
estimated value, taxation catagory, and tariff catagory) I was on my way -
minus about $175 dollars.  Luckily the people that came to pick me up waited
for me to show up.

On the way out, I expected them to give me my taxes back in cash -- no such
luck, I had to wait 3 weeks while they cut a check for me and mailed it
to the US.  Fine, except that all of the banks in this area charge about
$8-$14 to cash a foreign check.


DON'T GET SCREWED BY CANADIAN CUSTOMS!  Bring nothing but the shirt on
your back and be careful what you buy while you are over there! They
are truly assholes!

POST NOTE:  The rock group Loverboy (Canadian) had just finished the first
part of their US tour when they started across the Canadian border with
their road-equipment.  When the customs people tried the same crap with
them, they cancelled the Canadian part of their tour and left the equipment
in the US.