Immigration: Secret Code
Feb 14, 2008 | 7:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 190
Immigration: Secret Code
Anyone wise in the ways of deciphering the red number
the Canadian immigration officer writes on the customs form?
I assume the 'R' stands for resident, but what does
the number mean...it seems different every time?
What number would indicate that I'll be directed
to secondary screening?
the Canadian immigration officer writes on the customs form?
I assume the 'R' stands for resident, but what does
the number mean...it seems different every time?
What number would indicate that I'll be directed
to secondary screening?
Feb 14, 2008 | 7:57 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YUL, BKK, VLC
Programs: Aeroplan E75
Posts: 617
Anyone wise in the ways of deciphering the red number
the Canadian immigration officer writes on the customs form?
I assume the 'R' stands for resident, but what does
the number mean...it seems different every time?
What number would indicate that I'll be directed
to secondary screening?
the Canadian immigration officer writes on the customs form?
I assume the 'R' stands for resident, but what does
the number mean...it seems different every time?
What number would indicate that I'll be directed
to secondary screening?
The officer?
Feb 14, 2008 | 8:09 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Charlottetown, PE YYG
Programs: AC*SE, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 303
Anyone wise in the ways of deciphering the red number
the Canadian immigration officer writes on the customs form?
I assume the 'R' stands for resident, but what does
the number mean...it seems different every time?
What number would indicate that I'll be directed
to secondary screening?
the Canadian immigration officer writes on the customs form?
I assume the 'R' stands for resident, but what does
the number mean...it seems different every time?
What number would indicate that I'll be directed
to secondary screening?
If you have Nexus and go to the US... if you get V-RR you will be pulled aside for a secondary search...
Feb 14, 2008 | 8:41 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: YYZ/DLC
Programs: AP, HHonours Diamond
Posts: 3,724
I think the number has to do with the type of goods you carry and/or if you get a secondary. R34 is the most common one I get on mine which is usually when I tell them I've bought just a few pieces of clothing.
Feb 14, 2008 | 10:58 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: YWG
Programs: AC Elite, SPG Plat
Posts: 643
Feb 14, 2008 | 11:04 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,103
1) Have 3 or 4 people arrive at say YYZ same day prior to your flight. They relay back what code they got and if they were sent to secondary.
2) Bad-guy 1 shows up with Bad-guy 2.
3) If Bad-guy 1 ones get code for secondary he lets Bad-guy 2 exit with the bag or vice-versa.
Feb 14, 2008 | 11:59 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YUL, BKK, VLC
Programs: Aeroplan E75
Posts: 617
I would think that an organized group of travelers armed with blackberries could circumvent this security measure if they were trying to smuggle some items in thier luggage.
1) Have 3 or 4 people arrive at say YYZ same day prior to your flight. They relay back what code they got and if they were sent to secondary.
2) Bad-guy 1 shows up with Bad-guy 2.
3) If Bad-guy 1 ones get code for secondary he lets Bad-guy 2 exit with the bag or vice-versa.
1) Have 3 or 4 people arrive at say YYZ same day prior to your flight. They relay back what code they got and if they were sent to secondary.
2) Bad-guy 1 shows up with Bad-guy 2.
3) If Bad-guy 1 ones get code for secondary he lets Bad-guy 2 exit with the bag or vice-versa.
If it changes everyday, they certainly do mistakes.
They would simply have to had 2-d barcode on each card and relay the information from the immigration officer to the custom officer.
Last edited by ulyparis; Feb 14, 2008 at 1:06 pm
Feb 14, 2008 | 3:47 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: NZ Silver, AC SE100K, Westjet, Marriott, Global Entry
Posts: 6,844
As someone who is always sent to secondary screening by CBSA, I can attest that the numbers/codes always change. Sometimes the number by name is circled, sometimes it is a written number.
Question. If your family is travelling with you, do they have to appear on the same customs card as you? Can they be on one card go through initial immigration, me on another card and pay my visit to secondary? We are all Canadian citizens.
Question. If your family is travelling with you, do they have to appear on the same customs card as you? Can they be on one card go through initial immigration, me on another card and pay my visit to secondary? We are all Canadian citizens.
Feb 14, 2008 | 4:20 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Thanks for the Memories !!!
Posts: 10,735