Originally Posted by Simon (Post 9579788)

Then let them. Let them stop with the inane questions, let someone look at the goods, and be done with it.

Your line is basically: trust what the customs authorities say, because they say it. Total parallel with my example.

Originally Posted by Simon (Post 9579811)

Broken record.

Why shouldn't you question authority if it makes no sense, is different than any other authority of the same type and how they deal with their citizens, or if the manner of performing their tasks is not reasonable.

Government says they must establish citizenship and goods held.

Government says they must do so by asking inane questions and being unpleasant?

Simon

Originally Posted by naplesyrupeater (Post 9579761)

why are the cbsa agents in YUL so strict and use 0 discretion with regards to limits ?

Originally Posted by okazon69 (Post 9579822)

I've had exactly the opposite experience in YUL two out of two times. Once I had $130 worth of goods after < 24 hours, and was let go after secondary. Another time I had $1500 worth of goods after 7 days, and was only charged GST and PST on $500. And to top it off, in both cases, the agent was kinda cute. ^:D

Originally Posted by why fly (Post 9579837)

If more people would get NEXUS this Thread would be a non issue.:)

Originally Posted by CBSAguy (Post 9578876)

Sounds like you want the exemptions raised. That's fair, but do not complain to me about having to pay duty/tax that is lawfully owing. Complain to your MP. He/she will certainly have more clout in that regard than I do.

Originally Posted by Sanosuke (Post 9579842)

If they could relax some of the requirements for getting NEXUS, I would have had my NEXUS card a long time ago!

Sanosuke!

Originally Posted by Denizen (Post 9579464)

I see, so questions such as " Who my wife went to Mexico with 4 mths ago" (as I mentioned last week) is an appropriate question to ask? No, it is not. If I have filled out the Customs form and stated that I don't have drugs, weapons etc then you may ask me verbally again "Do you have any drugs, weapons etc." but you can just take your nose out of our personal affairs - that is 'FISHING' and as you can see by all the people writing and reading this thread (I may be wrong but is this not the fastest growing thread?) a lot of Canadians don't like what you are doing.

Of course, we support stopping the entry of illegal drugs, weapons etc but the people doing that are a tiny proportion of travellers whereas the CBSA people treat ALL travellers as if we were criminals. Is this a misguided effort to treat all people equally? CBSA behaviour is actually WORSE than authoritarian states I have been to and most people on this thread agree - I keep on asking you, CBSAguy but you don't answer my simple question - Why are Canadian Customs DIFFERENT ( ie WORSE) than most other civilized countries?

Originally Posted by Denizen (Post 9579879)

You just do not understand a FREE SOCIETY that encourages DISSENT.

Originally Posted by plangis (Post 9579910)

Totally agree with you... I don't usually participate actively on FT but I just wanted to add my voice to yours... I'm an honest 25 years old student and more than 1\2 times when I cross Canadian customs and immigration, I get secondary check... I just give them my bags and tell them to enjoy the search... Most times when I go back home I feel unwelcome, this is not normal. I only have one question... What particular reasons Canadian immigration officers have that any other country around the globe do not have to ask questions about your personal life? What makes Canada so special?

Originally Posted by YOWkid (Post 9580016)

I must confess that when I studied abroad and travelled back and forth once every few months, I didn't have any problems with CBSA. In fact, the first time I got secondary was when I started to work for a living.

Originally Posted by ylwae (Post 9579858)

I do, but that's a separate issue. What I'm saying here is that I want to pay my tax / duty and get out of the airport or to my next flight. Why do I have to have every piece of clothing and item I own scrutinized and accusatory questions asked when I truthfully declare an overage?