Originally Posted by
Wpgjetse
Never use your nexus card at customs if you are over your duty free amount. Always go to a agent. I find the agent usually waves the duty amount, unless you are crazy over your duty free amount. Nexus, I find you always pay.
Boy did I ever learn that lesson the hard way.
Two weeks ago I flew SFO-YUL and brought home 4 pounds of See's Candies (2 pounds dark and 2 pounds milk chocolate for those of you who are curious - but I digress) in my carry-on. On the declaration card, after careful deliberation, I answered YES to the "Do you have food question" (chocolate is a dairy product after all).
It was my first time using my NEXUS card in arrival at a Canadian airport so I understandably wanted to use it. The system works amazing unless you need to go see an agent. Because of my YES answer about the food, I was sent to secondary and its very long line (I did however get the see one of the border guards who is regularly on Border Security - but I digress again).
After 45 minutes, I made it to a customs agent (not the TV celebrity much to my utter disappointment) who was perplexed by why I was in secondary in the first place. She spied my carry-on and said "Is that the only baggage you have? - and waved me out and on my way.
Next time I will stand in line to see an agent and not use my NEXUS card - or I will forget about the chocolate.