bordercrosser

Is there a fine for accidentally using the land Nexus lane if you do not have Nexus?

Finkface

Yes. I crossed today and there were signs all along the length of the Nexus lane saying it was a $186 fine (I think, could have been $136) for Nexus lane violation - using the Nexus lane without Nexus. I would expect you would also get a nice, long, invasive secondary inspection as well.

And considering the signage all along the Nexus lane as well as huge white letters in the lane marking it as Nexus, how could you possibly use it “accidentally”?

dash1729

This raises an interesting question re the Ready Lane at locations like the Peace Arch for those of us who have a Ready Lane document (eg an Enhanced Driver's License) but not NEXUS.

The Ready Lane is only open at specific hours, but yesterday during the hours it was open at the Peace Arch, the arrangement was the regular lanes to the left, a Ready Lane in the middle, and the NEXUS lanes to the right. Approaching the checkpoint there are only regular lanes and a NEXUS lane. Then when you get close to the actual checkpoint, there is an opportunity to merge from the left regular lanes into the Ready Lane or from the right NEXUS lanes into the Ready Lane.

So my question is: is it possible/legal, if one has a Ready Lane document but not NEXUS, to approach the checkpoint using the NEXUS lane, but then merge into the Ready Lane as one gets close. It looked like this would be possible, but one doesn't want to take many risks at the border. I ended up approaching using a regular lane and then merging into the Ready Lane. This saved me a bit of time, as the Ready Lane was moving faster than the regular lane. But far more time would have[img][/img] been saved had I approached using the NEXUS lane and then switched over to the Ready Lane as I got close.

Approach lanes to the regular, Ready, and NEXUS lanes at the Peace Arch. The question is whether it is legal to use the rightmost lane--which is marked only "NEXUS"--to approach the Ready Lane.

Kate2015

I hope this isn't obvious, but I can't find the answer anywhere. If I'm returning to the US and have activated my Global Entry card to be used via land, can I use the Nexus lanes if not everyone in the car has GE?

s0ssos

From my understanding you cannot use Nexus, as you don't have Nexus?

Never mind, you can use GE for Nexus lanes coming into US

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/det...picCo0bw%3D%3D

Kate2015

You can use the Nexus lanes when returning to the US - or could at one time.

Kate2015

I finally found something that suggests everyone must have GE/Nexus to use the Nexus lanes southbound. That doesn't quite make sense, since I assume as a GE holder, I'm still liable for any customs violations by anyone in the car?

arttravel

That is a big no -- just like you cannot take non Global Entry members through the GE lines and "be liable for customs violations."

If you are travelling into Canada or the United States (U.S.) with non-NEXUS members, you must use the regular lanes. The driver is responsible for ensuring that all travellers in the vehicle are NEXUS members. If there is a non-NEXUS member in the vehicle, regardless of his/her age, it will result in the loss of the driver's NEXUS membership.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nex...terre-eng.html

pa3lsvt

If you take any non-members (of GE or NEXUS) through the NEXUS lane in either direction, you stand to lose your TT privileges for a few years. Even dropping off a non-member to walk through and then taking your car through the vehicle lanes is in violation and you risk suspension.

So, unless every person in the car has TT card (and yes, you can use GE in the NEXUS lanes for entering the US only) you must use the normal lanes. Don't risk your new GE to save a little time.

1KChinito

Kate2015

Fair enough on the lines. But how can I not be held liable, though? It's my car, registered in my name. If my husband or kids sneaks something in and I don't know about it, doesn't that fall on me? I'm actually becoming very uncomfortable with this...

TWA884

There are additional type of RFID's that can be used in the Ready Lanes:

arttravel

How many people are going with you in the car. You are responsible for what is in the car, so if your kids left a citrus fruit or something that would be a problem. But isn't that the same issue using global entry, in that someone we live with could slip something into our baggage?

I believe that there are people that have tried to claim that they were duped into carrying illicit/illegal substances when they crossed the border (not just Canada/US, worldwide), and I think the people caught were held legally liable.

I am not sure how big the car is, but is it hard to look under seats, etc, for food items and such? I would always do a quick check before crossing the border in my car, and when I went with friends hey were people that I trusted, so I knew that there were no bad things. The last time I went was with a friend who does not have GE and it was her car, so we took the regular lane.

I could see the driver of the car getting into trouble if some illicit substance was found in the car and everyone denied it.

Kate2015

No, it's not the same issue with GE (unless you leave your luggage lying around the airport, I suppose). It's a large SUV and my husband isn't used to be checked closely by customs. He knows what's at risk for me, but all of the liability and none of the benefits of GE at a land crossing seems like a great way to screw people over. Like, if he lies and have something not permitted in his luggage, how would I know? And if I'm not going through trusted traveler screening, it's a little frightening to realize they can still use tt status against me.

TWA884

If you don't trust your husband, don't use the Ready Lanes.