Sometimes I believe folks make things harder on themselves than need be .... it's all about attitude.
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Hit the nail on the head with that one!!
I cross weekly and the CBSA agents are really not that bad. You gotta remember they are protecting there country, just like the CBP agents are protecting ours.
I guess when you cross often it makes it easier, I usually cross with only 2 or 3 questions at most on my way into Canada.
Here's how I do it:
Say 1 PARS (hand agent passport card and fast card and pro forma invoice, that's it). No hello, how are ya. NO SMALL TALK!
State I am a U.S. Citizen
Declare tobacco (1 pouch chew, 10 cigars) (customs law no more than 20 cigars)
say nothing else to declare
Agent: where ya going
Me: I only give them the city and providence on the invoice, no where else
Agent: what do you have
Me: tell them only what is on the invoice, i.e. Transmissions, etc.
Agent: how long in Canada
Me: give real answer
wait for custom stamp.............
get handed I.D. and stamped invoice, window shut in face
Drive away
This is 9 out of 10 border crossings for me. Every once in awhile they want to do a inspection. Inspections usually are random and if you are hauling for a first time importer, or you can cause them to inspect you, by your body language.
This is only for inbound to Canada, Heading into the U.S. all bets are off they usually do something different every time. Worst border crossing for me personally is Champlain, NY. when I am empty, when loaded they are not so bad.