I came into YYZ the other night, and the FA had a curious message as part of the arrival message.
"We have heard rumors that customs is seizing cellphones if they are on while you go through customs. Please ensure your phones are off, so that they don't ring."
This was supposedly for coming into Canadian customs.
Two questions:
1. Has anyone else heard this?
2. What possible legal right would they have to confiscate someones phone? I've seen signs not to use them, but nothing about confiscatory powers...
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Hmm this is weird.
a little while ago I had a YVR-LAX and had to clear US customs in YVR and there was a young woman in front of me that was talking on the phone the whole time in the line, and when it was her turn the US customs agent called her over and she still continued to talk. He gave her the death glare, and she went over and they both were laughing when she hung up...
Never seen a US customs agent be that friendly/humerous in my whole life... Definitely needs to be noted that she was well dressed, about 24-25 and was yup, very good looking. I was tripping because I thought she was going to get in pretty big trouble because of the signs everywhere that says no cellphones allowed... haha
Definitely needs to be noted that she was well dressed, about 24-25 and was yup, very good looking. I was tripping because I thought she was going to get in pretty big trouble because of the signs everywhere that says no cellphones allowed... haha
On the USA side of the house, I have, on numerous occasions, seen the transborder US CBP @ YVR get VERY angry & shout if they see anyone with a mobile phone out - Either talking on it, texting or surfing. Apparently it's OK to chat with others in line, but not say goodbye to your kids. Never seen a confiscation though, and never seen same with CBSA although I'm rarely in a long line at CBSA.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gglave
On the USA side of the house, I have, on numerous occasions, seen the transborder US CBP @ YVR get VERY angry & shout if they see anyone with a mobile phone out - Either talking on it, texting or surfing. Apparently it's OK to chat with others in line, but not say goodbye to your kids. Never seen a confiscation though, and never seen same with CBSA although I'm rarely in a long line at CBSA.
Did see a denied entry in the US secondary holding area @YYZ. The individual was warned at least twice and when caught a third time they threw him out and I believe threatened to take his phone, not sure if they did or not.
Never seen anything close to the same vigilance with Canada Immigration and do often text on my way through the hall as I was unaware of the same prohibition that the US has.
I have heard the exact same announcement arriving YQB from the Caribbeans with Canjet last winter, passengers were looking at each other wondering whether this was some kind of joke. Like, what next?
I don't think there is justification if your phone were simply turned on (as opposed to using it after passing a sign that says no cell phone use, having seen both signs at US and Chinese customs, or is Chinese just cameras?)
My solution is simple, I keep my phone on vibrate, and nobody calls me anyway.
On the USA side of the house, I have, on numerous occasions, seen the transborder US CBP @ YVR get VERY angry & shout if they see anyone with a mobile phone out - Either talking on it, texting or surfing. Apparently it's OK to chat with others in line, but not say goodbye to your kids. Never seen a confiscation though, and never seen same with CBSA although I'm rarely in a long line at CBSA.
The issue, as I understand it, is pretty much 100% about pictures being taken, which is strictly forbidden at any customs post I can think of in the US or the UK (and probably most other places in the world including Canada, though I've never taken notice of any signs at CBSA either).
Most phones have cameras. So I think they've put this blanket "no mobiles in the customs line" rule in place precisely so they can avoid having a hundred arguments at once with mobile users holding their phones and saying, "but I wasn't taking pictures, I was talking to my kids!" It's much simpler and much more effective just to forbid the use of the phones altogether.
While waiting in secondary screening and T3 line up, I've seen customs agents take phones from ppl who were either talking or texting
Seen same by UKBA agents at MAN, immediately after an incoming foreign student was upbraided for actually taking a picture of the UKBA post from the line-up.
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Customs can seize anything they figure is an issue, you can argue and they will then remove you. At some point you might get your stuff back, but the point is turn off your phone or they will.
The issue, as I understand it, is pretty much 100% about pictures being taken, which is strictly forbidden at any customs post I can think of in the US or the UK (and probably most other places in the world including Canada, though I've never taken notice of any signs at CBSA either).
...it's a pity that borders are such a consitutional rights wasteland.
In a western democracy, why should you not have the right to record your interaction with a government representative?
