Border Patrol Stops on the Canadian Border?

Question

At the border patrol stops at the US/Canadian Border do they search every vehicle that is trying to cross the border to and from the US/Canadian Border?

I have never been outside the US before and I would like to visit Canada one day.

Also how long does it take for you to get across the border while waiting in line to get across?

Answer 1

They do not stop all cars at the border. They often do random checks, and they will check your car if they are suspicious. If they searched every vehicle, it would take way too long. The only times they may search every vehicle, is when the National Threat Advisory is at the Severe (red) level, or their is a major event happening like national elections. Your car is more likely to be searched when returning to the US.

Wait times at the border really depends on a number of things. If there is some big sporting event or attraction happening in one of the cities near the border (say Toronto or Buffalo) then there may be a long line up. The best time to get to the border is early in the morning, around 8 - 9am. We travel to Canada often to visit some relatives, and we usually drive through the night and get to the Canadian border for about 8 in the morning, and we have never had a delay at that time.

To make sure you have no problems at the border make sure you have all your ID with you. To enter Canada from a land crossing you need one of the following IDs (you don't need all of them, atleast one):

US passport
OR
Birth certificate
OR
Certificate of citizenship or naturalization
You also MUST have photo ID ... drivers license is fine.

Starting June 1, 2009 you must have a passport to enter Canada and vice versa. It's a new measure for increased security, but it's very controversial since many people on either side of the border don't have passports.

As long as you have all your ID with you, it will be very easy. It usually takes no longer than 3 minutes once you get to the booth. They just ask your citizenship, ask for your ID, they ask where you are going (sometimes they let you go from there), and sometimes they may ask the address of where you are staying. If you are traveling on the 401 (a major highway in Canada, like I95) make sure you are not speeding, because they have those undercover police cars all over the place.

Here are some links for more information:
Canada for visitors from about.com:
http://gocanada.about.com/od/canadatraveloverview/qt/uscitizenborder.htm
Border wait times:
http://apps.cbp.gov/bwt/
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA):
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-e.html
Department of Homeland Security:
http://www.dhs.gov/index.shtm

- Hope this helps!

Answer 2

There are Minutemen on the Canadian border, just not as many as on the Mexican border for the simple fact that the problem is not anywhere near as severe with illegals from Canada as from Mexico and Central America. However, you should also be aware that the US has been beefing up the Canadian border this past year as I was reading about it in the local paper a couple weeks ago. There is more of a high tech fence at the Canadian border and I read that the average response time to someone being detected crossing the border is about 4 minutes, at least in the area of British Columbia. There are also those robotic drone aircraft that regularly patrol the northern border. You are right in that the US needs to gain control of both borders and also learn how to detect and deport illegals who actually enter the country legally on visas and then overstay to become illegal. Also, just a note; there are likely about as many illegal Americans in Canada as there are illegal Canadians in the USA. I don't think you can say the same about the illegal ratios between Mexico and the USA.

Answer 3

It is US customs on your way home that is more likely to search.

They (Canada & US) randomly search and are more likely in certain circumstances, such as:

1) You look or act suspicious. I noticed as my car got older and older they started to check me out more and more. Same thing when I was between jobs. I was financially secure and took the time to slip in a couple of vacations. That was mostly by air, but a road trip too. They would ask more questions. Basically you could see they were thinking, if you are not working, how can you afford the trip?
2) They aren't busy
3) You go to a more remote secondary crossing (see 2)
4) You get a hot shot rookie trying to save the world

The only time my car has been seriously searched was when I had a rookie at a secondary crossing. They looked like no one had crossed in an hour or so, whereas major crossing usually have a huge line up.

Other times it is usually 1 minute of questions, then at most a 1 minute search of the trunk and you are on your way. (Unless see 1)

Wait times vary. It's like a rush hour. If you go peak tourist season, time when there are bargains to be had either side of the boarder, weekends, LONG weekends, etc, etc. The wait can be an hour- hour and a half. Or if you luck out it can be 5 minutes.

Answer 4

not every veh. is searched. You may just get the luck of the draw. I go back and forth a lot and very time it is different. It all depends on how you answer the questions that they ask you but usually it is very fast. It depends on the line up. It also depends on where you are crossing. Make sure that you have the right ID's or passport and if you have ever had a DUI you will have to have had it pardoned. Canada is a beautiful county. I do hope that you enjoy your visit here with us... East to West there is so much to see....

Answer 5

No, they couldn't possible search every vehicle. It really depends on what crossing you are using and what time of year how long you have to wait. You might be hours at the Peace Bridge during summer holidays, or you could be waved right through some lonely crossing on the praries. Often border-town radio stations have reports on the wait times along with the weather and news.

Answer 6

They do not search every car, and going into/out of Canada will be a lot easier if you have your information ready:

Passport and/or drivers license
Luggage that is easy to remove and sort/clean car
Reason for travel
Length of time there

We drove through Canada to get to Boston for our honeymoon (we live in Michigan so driving through Ontario was fastest). We had no trouble and everyone was super friendly.

My husband's grandparents said that the worst thing you can do timewise is to get in the truck lane!!

Also, passports are preferred to just license. Make sure to have your toll handy, too!

Also, be prepared to read your speedometer in KPH (kilometers per hour) and remember that the right hand lane on Canadian highways often turns directly into an exit only lane. Avoid going during rush hour if you can.

Answer 7

they search some cars and anyone who gives them cause. but that's the search -- they will also look you in the eye as you sit there and ask you about your citizenship and plans.

if you've never left your country before, be sure that US laws do not apply abroad. if you try to cross the border with something and get caught, you'd face the Canadian legal and prison system.

Answer 8

yes

Answer 9

no not everyone but what you got to hide?