Nexus pass and declaring goods at border

[GTT1]

Yesterday we went for our Nexus interviews.

Two interviews really one by a Canadian officer and another by a US officer. Each gave us a bunch of material.

Using Nexus entering US by car seems fairly straightforward you use the lane and let your card get read and then make sure if you have anything to declare (ie: liquor from the duty free 1l. per traveler) that you do so. Was told onus is on the traveler to tell the booth officer whether asked or not by them.

Using Nexus to return however seems a chore according to the written material provided by Canada. The material which I assume is up to date states that all returning travelers bringing back goods must fill out and deposit a completed TDC (travellers declaration card) My neighbour has a relative that indicates that at the Niagara area crossings people using the Nexus lines can make a verbal declaration just like at the non nexus booths so maybe the documentation is to cover of entry points where nexus return is not staffed.

Anyone know what is the correct way to cross and is it better to just use Nexus lanes going and regular declaration booths when returning if you have anything to declare.

[jerryhung]

I'd say Verbal declaration as well

FlyerTalk thread has more info, or even the RFD own NEXUS thread

[GTT1]

I'd say Verbal declaration as well

FlyerTalk thread has more info, or even the RFD own NEXUS thread

Not sure what you mean "I'd say Verbal declaration as well" Are you saying use the regular slower lanes and make a verbal declaration or try to use a verbal declaration in the Nexus lanes?

Thanks for the heads up on the FlyerTalk threads mainly deals with people flying but haven't tried to read it all yet.

I am sure there are lots on RFD that are regular users of the Niagara area nexus lanes and I hope some will offer their experience

[ABDAWG]

Make a verbal declaration in the Nexus lane. I've done it many times. Depending on the goods and $ amount, they either: (1) waive you through (2) send you to the office to pay duty/taxes.

If don't want to be bothered to go into the office, just have the form ready to hand to the booth officer only if they ask you to pay.

[death_hawk]

The verbal in a Nexus must be new. When I signed up years ago I was told that you MUST fill in a TDC using nexus lanes.
If you wanted to "gamble" you'd go through the regular lanes.

Honestly, for something as strict as this, I'd call in to confirm with someone real.

[Poindexter2]

Here's the scoop.
The current legislation was found to be unclear as to whether a verbal declaration was "not acceptable" so the CBSA has been allowing verbal declarations ONLY until such time as the legislation is re-written stating clearly that verbal declarations are not allowed. So you're good for now. No time frame on when it will change.

[Phils]

I went to my Nexus interview on Canada Day. We specifically discussed that verbal is the new system. It also used to be that youd to have a credit card number on file but that has changed as you have to go to the office for inspection or to pay.

[Poindexter2]

I'm only going by what I was told at the CBSA office this morning. It's only a few blocks from my house so after reading this I dropped in to ask. However who knows what the final outcome will be regardless of what I was told since anything can change between now and then.

[boyoflondon]

Few times I crossed through Sarnia, I did verbal declaration and never had issues.

[GTT1]

Here's the scoop.
The current legislation was found to be unclear as to whether a verbal declaration was "not acceptable" so the CBSA has been allowing verbal declarations ONLY until such time as the legislation is re-written stating clearly that verbal declarations are not allowed. So you're good for now. No time frame on when it will change.

I believe what you are saying is correct. They would not be still handing out a pamphlet and a specific 1 page sheet which indicates all persons using Nexus must complete the TDC if this was not the defining rule. I do believe though that for whatever reason based on current info from here and my neighbour that if you go through the Nexus lane at least in Niagara area where there is someone in the booth that you will be able to make a verbal declaration.
My neighbour who travels a lot also said on a return overseas trip recently through Pearson he used the Nexus lanes (I understand these are where the crew leaves) with iris scan and the machine asks questions as to whether you are over your limit. When leaving at the exit he gave the print out and the TDC he completed on the plane and was told he didn't need the TDC.
I just wish the Gov't would make all of this totally clear with proper detailed instructions especially for new persons to Nexus on the interview.

Once we get our cards we will make a trial run buying gas and groceries and see what happens when we return through the Nexus line and ask the person in the booth what is the expected procedure.

One of my big concerns is we were told on the interview that CBSA uses a random computer check which picks out people for a full inspection. I don't want to be in the position of some officer quoting me the book and saying I should have had a TDC when crossing even if I had purchased items that even on a day trip you can return with such as groceries.

This is typical Gov't of Canada nonsense where the right hand has no clue what the left is doing.

[Poindexter2]

It can be just as confusing entering the US. One day I was crossing over and there were a number of cars in the Nexus lanes and one of the regular lanes was clear so I went thru that one. Handed the US agent my Nexus card (which is good for all lanes btw) and she asked for my passport as well. I told her that with the Nexus card you do not need a passport but she was adamant about it and told me next time I had to bring both along and sent me on my way. .I went into the US side office to ask about this and they told me she was wrong. So hopefully someone pulled her aside and edumacated her. And yes you do get randomly selected for a full inspection in both directions (called a compliance check). On one return trip into Canada at the Nexus lane I pulled up ( I had nothing to declare) I said hello to the woman and she just sat their stone faced saying nothing but looking at me for perhaps 30 seconds when she piped up in a school marmish snotty way.. "Do you have anything to declare?" . I said " no, nothing to declare." Whereupon again in that somewhat snotty tone she says "When you pull up to the booth the first thing you're supposed to say is whether you have anything to declare or not!. To which I replied that in all my crossings it has always been the agent who first asks questions,, like where do you live, how long away, or anything to declare etc.. She went on and on like she was on a mission or something the same as the woman on the US side. Good grief. Other than those two particular woman on both sides I've never had an impolite agent.

[gq_fuzion]

the Traveler Declaration Form (TDC) is something that must be filled in at every time of entry into the country

When you fly into the country, this is the form that flight attendants provide to all passengers to declare purchased merchandise
This form must be filled in by all citizen re-entering Canada

This is no different from a land port of entry, however when you drive, it is done verbally

For those with a NEXUS Pass, you have the ability to pre-fill a TDC (downloadable online) to expedite the process
The TDC available to Nexus owners allows you to provide a credit card number to charge the appropriate taxes so you don't have the visit a cashier... Therefore expediting your entry into Canada

When crossing by land, this TDC can be placed in the black box just before the booth with the CBSA agent (Referencing Queenston bridge).

If you haven't pre-filled a TDC, you are then required to "fill" a TDC verbally with the CBSA agent. If required to pay duties/taxes, you will then have to visit a cashier.


For all my entries @ queenston, I have pre-filled a TDC and have never had to visit the cashier since
My visa gets charged within 24 hours, and it saves me plenty of time which is the purpose of the NEXUS program

hope this helps

[iamnotamerican.com]

If I've done a grocery run, I do a verbal declaration only since it's non-taxable.
If I buy anything else, pick up a package, etc, I fill out the TDC and have it available for the border guard when I make my verbal declaration.

They can take the form if they want, they can waive me through if they want. It's their call and I'm happy with that process.

So far I'm ahead. :-)

[GTT1]

If I've done a grocery run, I do a verbal declaration only since it's non-taxable.
If I buy anything else, pick up a package, etc, I fill out the TDC and have it available for the border guard when I make my verbal declaration.

They can take the form if they want, they can waive me through if they want. It's their call and I'm happy with that process.

So far I'm ahead. :-)

Well if you have filled out the form it seems pointless to waste your time the CBSA officers time and those behind you in line. Why not just do as the system was set up for and put it in the box.

After reading here and other boards plus speaking with users of Nexus it would appear that the official rules which states that all using the Nexus pass on reentry to Canada are to provide a declaration is it seems with the okay of CBSA officers being dropped and allowing for verbal approval. This suits me fine as I don't want to carry and fill out the form making sure you have a black pen to do it with.

I suspect this is the CBSA officers way of reducing work as each form has to be dealt with and placed on file.

p.s. On another note you are to be commended for your efforts and fund raising for Cancer research. My wife has had Cancer twice (over 5 years clear on both)We have already made our main donations for this year. We give to Cancer Care Ontario and the Juravinski Cancer Centre but will make a donation to this fund (which I note is for the 2014 year) and would urge other RFD members to also support this worthy cause

[iamnotamerican.com]

Well if you have filled out the form it seems pointless to waste your time the CBSA officers time and those behind you in line. Why not just do as the system was set up for and put it in the box.

In BC (and I suspect other provinces) the boxes have been removed, at least for the time being. The forms are handed to the CBSA officer. By making it available to the guard but not immediately handing it to them, the CBSA officer is the one who decides if I'm going to pay tax on that $300 purchase I made. If they want me to pay tax, they take the form. If they don't particularly care, they tell me to have a nice day and I keep the form and drive on. I've fulfilled my obligations by making a full declaration on the form, and that's the most important when it comes to keeping your Nexus pass. :-)

After reading here and other boards plus speaking with users of Nexus it would appear that the official rules which states that all using the Nexus pass on reentry to Canada are to provide a declaration is it seems with the okay of CBSA officers being dropped and allowing for verbal approval. This suits me fine as I don't want to carry and fill out the form making sure you have a black pen to do it with.

I prefer the verbal declaration, but I also don't mind the form. I always have a pen in the car anyway, and I keep a few pre-filled copies of the form in the glove box so if I go down and do a non-grocery purchase it only takes a minute to complete the form and sign.

I suspect this is the CBSA officers way of reducing work as each form has to be dealt with and placed on file.

The form method was a good way of getting more tax on non-exempt purchases though. Because everything had to be declared on the form, taxes were paid on everything that wasn't exempt. With the verbal declaration, it's up to the border guard to decide, so government revenues are down. You can tell how disappointed I am by that. :-)

p.s. On another note you are to be commended for your efforts and fund raising for Cancer research. My wife has had Cancer twice (over 5 years clear on both)We have already made our main donations for this year. We give to Cancer Care Ontario and the Juravinski Cancer Centre but will make a donation to this fund (which I note is for the 2014 year) and would urge other RFD members to also support this worthy cause

Thank you for your kind words and support. I agree it's an important cause and I feel obliged to keep doing something in memory of my little friend. As the 2013 Ride is complete, I have started my fundraising for the 2014 Ride - I have to raise at least $2500. However, no matter when a donation is made, the money is released to the BC Cancer Foundation straight away so they can put it to use immediately. Feel free to share the link with your friends and family. :-) Of course, best wishes to your wife also.