US Customs Raises Rates

Turtle · Aug 26, 2007

RE: RE%3A US Customs Raises Rates

Even when empty, I always cross in the commercial truck lanes. I may be empty, but from the outside I definitely look like a commercial vehicle. If I were to cross in the passenger car lanes, and stick out like a sore thumb.... you get the idea.

I've always got money to pay the fees in my left hand, generally out of sight. If they ask me for it, they get it immediately. If they don't ask for it, I don't show them my left hand.

When I arrive at the booth I put the van in park, and hand them my ACE cover sheet, which has all my load, truck and personal information on it, as well as the three copies of the Inbound Manifest (tso they can ensure that it matches what has been electronically cleared), and my FAST card. They scan the FAST card that brings up all the information on me (including any and all prior border crossings, BTW, so if they ask you the last time you crossed, they already know the answer

), and the ACE cover sheet has my plate on it so they can bring up the cleared load info. It's usually less than 30 seconds from the time I get to the booth and leave it.

Slow and steady, even in expediting, wins the race - Aesop

slfisher45 · Aug 26, 2007

RE: RE%3A US Customs Raises Rates

Ontariovan,

"There lies part of the problem..NO CONFORMITY! Across the system...one gives paperwork back one does not and so on and so on......No one knows the rules...A driver doesn't know the policy of the day at that particular crossing."

Before reentering the USA I have to fax paperwork to Viasafe, for the purposes of the "Electronic Manifest", and they handle the paperwork. After I receive permission to cross with a permit number, I write the number across the top of the coversheet I faxed to Viasafe. When I do reach the border I hand the passport and other ID to the guard along with the cover sheet containing all the pertinent information on my load. The guard either returns it to me or keeps it. I don't care.

I had another situation at the US border Turtle described several months ago. I had a replacement plate on my truck. The guard said "I have a different plate number ". I rfesponded that it was different because the original was lost. I could see me losing serveral hours,, but I was surprised. He said $5.50 please. I paid and he said good-bye..........