I read somewhere in a newspaper ("news in brief" Van Sun I think) that the RFID chip is being redesigned to work 2 meters from the reader rather than 4 meters to combat identity theft where criminals have some kind of RFID readers in their pocket and pick up the information on your card as they walk by you. They also said that the land border readers previously could only read 2 cards at a time and they are being upgraded so that they can read 4 cards at a time. So it's not just a new paint job and hologram.

Got a letter from Nexus today indicate a new membership card to all NEXUS members with enhanced security features. Need to call 1-88-281-5778, or go to enrolment centre, or go online to confirm address. http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexu...nnees-eng.html

I think this applies to newer U.S. passports which do broadcast all the relevant passport information (and, probably, then some). Supposedly, Nexus cards just broadcast a unique Nexus identifier which will pull up the pictures and relevant info at the CBP's or CBSA's agent's screen. The identifier is essentially useless unless one can hack into the Nexus database to alter the information (or the agents are lazy).

howto iris scan
 

I got NEXUS a while ago but haven't used it at airports much. When I last tried it the kiosk didn't recognize me. I don't remember exactly how I am supposed to line up my eye with the single oval drawn on the mirror. Do I:

1 - Line up one of the eyes (any eye)

2 - Look closely into the mirror so that I somehow get "double vision" of the oval line and line up both eyes?

on the machines which are fitted with dual iris scan you position the oval over your nose, not sure if there are any single eye scanners left - in addition to that there are clear instructions posted on the machine, and the machine will offer voice prompts to help direct you if you're "off"

ah, I see, thanks. So how do I know if it is a dual- or single- scanner? I guess I try to line up with my nose and if I start seeing the oval in double than it I line up both eyes, and otherwise just one?

Last time I tried it was about 6 months ago going into the US, so maybe it was still one of the old machines. I flew into YVR from europe two days ago but there was no line up for the non-nexus people so I didn't bother using the nexus kiosk.

I also just found some instructions here for those of you who may be as clueless as I am.

Trust me, you'll be able to tell. However, I haven't seen a single eye scanner for a long time, so my guess is you won't see it either.

Actually, they should have a book like this (in fact, a couple of times when I've tried to use my NEXUS card for the TSA at EWR, they've offered to get it, but I didn't want to wait for all that, but maybe I will next time just to see it!). Even grocery stores that sell booze are supposed to have a book of the state DL's so that someone doesn't pull a fake licence from an obscure state to get booze.

When I got my card at the YVR office back in May, I was told that when crossing at a land crossing, I could stack up to seven cards and hold them up to the reader.

I use the Nexus kiosk just to avoid having to deal with CBSA - even if there is no line up ;-)

Exactly ;) Thats why I got Nexus. Eliminates some of the stress of dealing with a customs guy/gal.

Next week will be my first time going through "regular" customs voluntarily - I'm bringing back a case of wine on my next trip which means I can't use the NEXUS line - at least that's what the Montreal staff told me when I called. Silly really, seeing as they have provisions there for you to declare overages.

This is gonna be painful. The customs line at YUL ALWAYS sucks on Thursday evenings.

So another clueless question (yeah, I know, I should be stripped of my NEXUS for not knowing this stuff). Do you need to fill out a customs declaration card if you are using NEXUS entering canada by plane? I'm guessing yes. And what if you are crossing with your spouse who also has NEXUS, do you fill out a single declaration card as non-NEXUS people do, or do you fill out two since you'll be using the kiosk seperately?

And second question (that doesn't really belong in this thread): Has anyone decoded the "score" that you get at YVR written on your customs declaration card by the CBSA agent (non-nexus)? I think the second digit might be the duty exemption you are entitled to and the first digit is some kind of sketchiness score? I had "17" on my flight in from europe earlier this week. I'm guessing the 7 is because I was gone longer than a week, and the 1 is...? Any CBSA agents in the crowd caring to violate our national security by revealing the secret code?! I'm willing to let the terrorists win if it means I can satisfy my curiosity.

You still need to fill out the customs declaration form. When I enter the country with my partner, we just fill out one card. Upon exit, we hand the agent the customs form and our two Nexus printouts and have had no problem.

I'm not sure about entering the US though. (For sure you need to fill out the customs form, but my partner and I always fill out separate ones since the US government does not recognize our "family" :td: )

I was under the impression that as long as they're not commercial goods, and you declare it, you can bring back whatever you want....