Some experiences I have made with the declaration cards:

- if I declare about $50 or less on a short, no allowance trip, I have never been charged anything

- basic groceries (category 3), even over any limits, carry a 0% tax and duty rate, so these have always been additional to the $50 soft limit

That used to be required but is being phased out. When I used the box at the Whirlpool Bridge Nexus, the CBSA agent asked me what I had written on the card. The only thing the card does for you is link your declaration to your credit card for payment. I assume if you are over the tax-free amount, turning in the card avoids a trip to secondary. Under the present system, it seems better to give the card to the agent than to put it in the slot and be tested for no reason.

At the Peace Arch, it's verbal declaration now. You'd take the same 20 secs but also save yourself the hassle of filling out a form. Just did it this weekend and was through in less than 5 secs.

We'll be using the Whirlpool bridge for the first time this weekend.

Is it fully automated or is there an agent on both sides?

Is the Kiosk to link Nexus to the toll at the bridge on the Canadian side?

Thanks

Interesting..that may explain what happened to me on last trip at the Whirpool..I put it in the box, they ran and pulled it out, and sniffed through the trunk to verify what I had written (and 2 of them at that). Made me feel special that my $50 of groceries provided employment opportunity for 2 inspectors.

my driver's license and passport are expiring soon.

Once i receive the new documents, do I have to book a appointment with the local nexus office? or do i just visit the office and they can take care of me without an appointment?

thanks.

No. Yes.

Just go to the reception desk and the agent there will make photocopies of the two documents and that's it. This information will then be entered into the system.

So these information can't be updated online ?

There's an agent.

Kiosk on the US side ,toll is paid coming back into Canada.

Just to elaborate a little on the other reply:

When you go over to the US, you'll need to flash your Nexus card at an RFID reader on the Canadian side in order to lift the arm that lets you onto the bridge. On the US side, you flash it again at an RFID reader, making sure everyone in your car has their card flashed before you drive up to the agent in the kiosk.

Coming back, you'll first have to put some money "on the card" by parking beside the bridge entrance, and going into a small brick building about the size of Dr Who's Tardis. Place your card on the ledge, and insert a bill (once you choose which currency you're going to use, you'll be using that currency forever to top up your card). The screen will show you your balance.

Circle around and flash your card at the RFID reader that deducts the bridge toll, and the barrier will open. Drive back to Canada and flash your card again at the Canadian side (everyone in the car must have their card flashed) then drive up to the agent and tell them a reasonable approximation of the truth...

Declaration forms are no longer mandatory: I have given verbal declarations for 2+ years now, with no problems.

Yes, it can be updated online. In fact, that's the only way I've done it.

Interesting - so everybody's card needs to be flashed at the RFID reader? Ie my SO and I are driving across a bridge at niagara falls this wknd(not sure which one - queenston Lewiston?) and if I'm driving, I have to flash my card, presumably hear some sort of beep or something, then repeat with hers?

Queenston Lewiston doesn't have Nexus going into the US (or rather it didn't last month), though it does have it on the way back into Canada. Use the whirlpool bridge if everyone has Nexus (no lines there).

On your way into the US there's a counter that shows you how many of the cards have been read by the RFID reader. Going into Canada there isn't, so you flash them and hope for the best; the CBSA agent will ask you for all the cards if they don't read properly.

Usually you can hold the cards in a fan like manner or two at a time and the RFID reader will get them.

Video on how to use if multiple passengers.

http://www.getyouhome.gov/html/rfid/rfid_how_to.html