Mar 3, 2013, 10:24 pm
Last edit by: TWA884
Current NEXUS Information messages can be found in the following thread:
The NEXUS Information Thread
The NEXUS Information Thread
Welcome to the Travel Safety/Security Trusted Travelers Forum Nexus Information Wiki! This resource will appear at the top of every page within this thread to help users learn more about this program.
About NEXUS
NEXUS is designed to expedite the border clearance process for low-risk, pre-approved travellers into Canada and the United States.
The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs & Border Patrol (CBP) are cooperating in this joint venture to simplify border crossing for members while enhancing security.
Program benefits
If you are approved to participate in NEXUS, you will receive a membership identification card to use when entering Canada or the United States at all designated NEXUS air, land and marine ports of entry.
Membership will enable airline passengers to save time by:
- using automated self-serve kiosks in dedicated areas at designated international airports;
- using NEXUS/SENTRI lanes at land crossings when/where available. NEXUS lanes entering Canada will likely have a constant red traffic signal. This is to discourage non-NEXUS members from using the lane. Canada-bound NEXUS land crossing operating hours. All occupants must have NEXUS cards when using NEXUS lane entering Canada. At some locations, the NEXUS lane, the inspection booth is not staffed but there should be a call button. When entering US in a NEXUS/SENTRI lane, all occupants must carry either NEXUS, Global Entry, or SENTRI cards (or any combination thereof). Notable exception is Whirlpool Bridge which requires a NEXUS card to open the toll gate on the Canadian side to cross to the US..
- As of 17 MAY 2017 - NEXUS members no longer need to complete a paper CBSA Declaration Card (Form E311) when using a NEXUS self-serve kiosk at any Canadian airport where NEXUS is available. (Refer to post #10421)
- using the Trusted Traveller Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) Security Line at major and select medium-sized Canadian airports to expedite airport pre boarding security screening. For detailed information, please visit the CATSA Web site.
Join NEXUS
Here are the steps for becoming a member. There is a non-refundable processing fee of CAN$50 or US$50 per applicant for a five-year membership card.
About NEXUS
Eligibility
How to apply
Enrolment process
Key points about the program as found by forum members:
- NEXUS cardholders must advise of ANY changes to their vital information such as passport numbers/validity, visa status, legal names, primary residence, criminal convictions, and employment if it impacts your eligibility in the program.
- It's normal to find the first in-person NEXUS interview to be months into the future, but a little patience and regular checks on the TTP website almost always yields an interview date much sooner.
- Each person who wants to participate in the NEXUS program must fill out a separate application form. There is no fee for applicants under the age of 18.
- If traveling with non-NEXUS family members NEXUS cardholders are required to use the regular customs lines.
- There is a zero tolerance policy and membership can be terminated for infractions including not having your NEXUS card on you and using the NEXUS lane and not declaring items on your customs declaration card, though members have reported some leniency being granted for such infractions in the past.
- Private companies may offer services for submitting your application and charge an additional processing fee but these extra charges are not part of the official NEXUS application fee. Expedited services offered by such companies will not assist in speeding up the application process.
Updating Passport with Canada for NEXUS
As per CBSA website, updates to passport information can be handled on TTP.
Please note that NEXUS members are not required to report to an Enrolment Centre to update or change their passport information with the CBSA.
Some FT members don't trust instructions provided by CBSA and recommend the following:
Call the Canadian Processing Centre with responsibility for residents of the United States:
After going through the phone tree to reach a Nexus representative, advise them that you need to update your US passport with Canada.
The representative will give you an email address and instructions to scan your updated passport picture page (include your trusted traveler number on the scan) and then email it to a particular email address. I was advised to put the representative's name in the email message so that he could process the update on the Canadian side. He confirmed that any passport update in TTP does not reach Canada. NOTE: FT members have been able to enter Canada without any issues by updating passport online only.
He specifically requested that only the telephone number be posted (and not the email address).
In case the telephone number doesn't work, here's the webpage where the phone number is posted: Canada Border Services Agency - NEXUS - General Information
- 800-842-7647 --- Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Eastern Time)
After going through the phone tree to reach a Nexus representative, advise them that you need to update your US passport with Canada.
The representative will give you an email address and instructions to scan your updated passport picture page (include your trusted traveler number on the scan) and then email it to a particular email address. I was advised to put the representative's name in the email message so that he could process the update on the Canadian side. He confirmed that any passport update in TTP does not reach Canada. NOTE: FT members have been able to enter Canada without any issues by updating passport online only.
He specifically requested that only the telephone number be posted (and not the email address).
In case the telephone number doesn't work, here's the webpage where the phone number is posted: Canada Border Services Agency - NEXUS - General Information
US citizens/residents who have both Global Entry and NEXUS cards and who renew the Global Entry membership whilst their NEXUS card is active, will not be able to renew the NEXUS card until after it expires. The option to do so disappears from the TTP website.
Dear mxzblftspk,
Your NEXUS membership is not set to expire until July 11 2016.
As an approved NEXUS member, you added Global Entry for an additional $100. When you completed your Global Entry application, you received a Global Entry card. When you activated the Global Entry Card, your NEXUS Card was deactivated and the option to renew NEXUS was removed from your account.
If you wish to renew NEXUS, you will have to wait for your NEXUS membership to expire. Once it expires, you will have the option within your TTP online account to renew NEXUS. After you follow all of the steps to become a NEXUS member again, including the completion of an interview at a NEXUS Enrollment Center near the Canadian border, you will receive a new NEXUS card and will have Global Entry benefits at no additional cost.
When your Global Entry account expires 5 years after your application, do not renew it. Global Entry benefits are included with your NEXUS membership.
It is our goal to provide you the best information we have in response to your question. If you follow the information provided in our response, and still need assistance, please reply to this email and we will investigate how we may further assist you.
Thank you again for contacting the CBP INFO Center.
Sincerely,
CBP INFO Center
Your NEXUS membership is not set to expire until July 11 2016.
As an approved NEXUS member, you added Global Entry for an additional $100. When you completed your Global Entry application, you received a Global Entry card. When you activated the Global Entry Card, your NEXUS Card was deactivated and the option to renew NEXUS was removed from your account.
If you wish to renew NEXUS, you will have to wait for your NEXUS membership to expire. Once it expires, you will have the option within your TTP online account to renew NEXUS. After you follow all of the steps to become a NEXUS member again, including the completion of an interview at a NEXUS Enrollment Center near the Canadian border, you will receive a new NEXUS card and will have Global Entry benefits at no additional cost.
When your Global Entry account expires 5 years after your application, do not renew it. Global Entry benefits are included with your NEXUS membership.
It is our goal to provide you the best information we have in response to your question. If you follow the information provided in our response, and still need assistance, please reply to this email and we will investigate how we may further assist you.
Thank you again for contacting the CBP INFO Center.
Sincerely,
CBP INFO Center
Archived: The NEXUS Information Thread
Nov 1, 2008, 2:11 pm
#526
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Southern Alberta
Posts: 20,550
If what the linked article suggests that some Nexus users have been abusing the card, one can expect that there will be a bureaucratic overreaction.
Off to secondary more and more users will go for spot checks....
Too bad that 99% of honest users will be penalized for the 1% of cheaters.....
Off to secondary more and more users will go for spot checks....
Too bad that 99% of honest users will be penalized for the 1% of cheaters.....
Nov 1, 2008, 2:37 pm
#527
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,884
If what the linked article suggests that some Nexus users have been abusing the card, one can expect that there will be a bureaucratic overreaction.
Off to secondary more and more users will go for spot checks....
Too bad that 99% of honest users will be penalized for the 1% of cheaters.....
Off to secondary more and more users will go for spot checks....
Too bad that 99% of honest users will be penalized for the 1% of cheaters.....
I'm not sure about others, but I was honest before the card, and after it. If for no other reason, you think Nexus members would be honest so they didn't lose their cards - I can not afford to have this happen - and will not let it happen. But as I commented at the G+M site, I don't mind being sent to secondary every so often (and this does happen, mostly into the US for me). If they search my bags (happened before once or twice, but mostly they doesn't), I have nothing to hide anyway.
Nov 1, 2008, 3:48 pm
#528
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Toronto, NYC, somewhere on planet Earth
Programs: UA 1K, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 8,289
Part of the article notes the lack of safety checks by the government, such as address information, or convictions. That certainly would be more of a concern than not declaring items acquired abroad. Surprised that the US does a check every 24hrs, though if nothing else, the system was thorough as I discovered when I did my Nexus interview (was asked why the FBI already had my fingerprints on file 
)1
)1
Nov 1, 2008, 4:05 pm
#529
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,103
I'd say that people who fear being replaced by a NEXUS card are not the best people to offer an opinion of the effectiveness of the program. I'm not really interested in how the BSO "feel" about the program. It is normal human behavior to feel that you could do a job better than a computer.
The only thing that should matter is impartial proper statistical analysis, which according to the article can not be done.
"Incomplete data meant the evaluation was not able to determine how often card-carrying travelers might be cheating."
The only thing that should matter is impartial proper statistical analysis, which according to the article can not be done.
"Incomplete data meant the evaluation was not able to determine how often card-carrying travelers might be cheating."
Nov 1, 2008, 5:04 pm
#530
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K MM * DL MM * HH Diamond * Marriott Lifetime Titanium * Queen's '92
Posts: 5,950
Quelle surprise.
fly-yul has it bang on.
Too bad for the BSO. If so many of them weren't such intrusive, nasty SOBs, perhaps people would actually choose to go see them when the line is totally empty.
As I've said before - with a UK passport going into any EU country, there are no questions asked. As a Canadian citizen coming into Canada, it's the third degree.
But as that BSO who was on FT a while back said - they're just trying to assess whether you have customs violations by asking you inane questions that are none of their business.
They should bump the 48-hour allowance up to $2000 as the Kinney committee recommended, or remove it entirely, and they'd stop having so many people "smuggling"
consumer goods in.
US purpose for entry checks: stop the bad guys.
Canadian purpose for entry checks: seize bottles of wine or tax, tax, tax.
Simon
fly-yul has it bang on.
Too bad for the BSO. If so many of them weren't such intrusive, nasty SOBs, perhaps people would actually choose to go see them when the line is totally empty.
As I've said before - with a UK passport going into any EU country, there are no questions asked. As a Canadian citizen coming into Canada, it's the third degree.
But as that BSO who was on FT a while back said - they're just trying to assess whether you have customs violations by asking you inane questions that are none of their business.
They should bump the 48-hour allowance up to $2000 as the Kinney committee recommended, or remove it entirely, and they'd stop having so many people "smuggling"
consumer goods in.US purpose for entry checks: stop the bad guys.
Canadian purpose for entry checks: seize bottles of wine or tax, tax, tax.
Simon
Nov 1, 2008, 6:43 pm
#531
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: YYC - soon to be 東京
Programs: AC Prestige, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Gold, Hertz #1 Gold, Radisson Gold Elite, HHonors
Posts: 1,830
Simon,
Why do you only presume that Canada Customs is only looking for those who under-declare their wine allowances on their exemption forms? To me that sounds a little narrow minded in your presumption of Canada Customs' official duties. If CBSAguy is still around, lets page him and let him at this!
Sanosuke!
Why do you only presume that Canada Customs is only looking for those who under-declare their wine allowances on their exemption forms? To me that sounds a little narrow minded in your presumption of Canada Customs' official duties. If CBSAguy is still around, lets page him and let him at this!
Sanosuke!
Nov 1, 2008, 6:51 pm
#532
Join Date: Oct 2008
Programs: AC*SE HHgold
Posts: 167
I agree completely - I hate the fact that I am penalized for being honest based on the very small percentage of rotten apples.
I'm not sure about others, but I was honest before the card, and after it. If for no other reason, you think Nexus members would be honest so they didn't lose their cards - I can not afford to have this happen - and will not let it happen. But as I commented at the G+M site, I don't mind being sent to secondary every so often (and this does happen, mostly into the US for me). If they search my bags (happened before once or twice, but mostly they doesn't), I have nothing to hide anyway.
I'm not sure about others, but I was honest before the card, and after it. If for no other reason, you think Nexus members would be honest so they didn't lose their cards - I can not afford to have this happen - and will not let it happen. But as I commented at the G+M site, I don't mind being sent to secondary every so often (and this does happen, mostly into the US for me). If they search my bags (happened before once or twice, but mostly they doesn't), I have nothing to hide anyway.
Nov 1, 2008, 7:41 pm
#533
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,849
Solution (I'm talking Nexus only here and, specifically, airports):
1. Correct the deficiencies with the programme. Update databases, ensure the initial screening is done properly with a focus on security, keep everything current. The way the article describes the current situation is a disgrace.
2. Expand the programme, encouraging more people to join, thus freeing up a number of officers from their duties of processing travellers on the Primary Inspection Line.
3. Redeploy these resources more effectively: working with detector dogs, conducting more random and targeted examinations, x-raying more bags, roving the baggage hall, etc.
If done properly, this would result in a quicker Customs/Immigration experience for many Canadians; an increase in drug, weapons, child porn, and big-ticket commodity seizures; and an increased focus on higher-risk travellers. All this with no job losses.
1. Correct the deficiencies with the programme. Update databases, ensure the initial screening is done properly with a focus on security, keep everything current. The way the article describes the current situation is a disgrace.
2. Expand the programme, encouraging more people to join, thus freeing up a number of officers from their duties of processing travellers on the Primary Inspection Line.
3. Redeploy these resources more effectively: working with detector dogs, conducting more random and targeted examinations, x-raying more bags, roving the baggage hall, etc.
If done properly, this would result in a quicker Customs/Immigration experience for many Canadians; an increase in drug, weapons, child porn, and big-ticket commodity seizures; and an increased focus on higher-risk travellers. All this with no job losses.
Nov 1, 2008, 8:03 pm
#534
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Iqaluit
Programs: Programs? I don't need no stinking programs
Posts: 1,194
I think the term 'narrow-minded' is more appropriately applied to people who operate on the principle that 'if your reason for travelling + demographic profile do not appear to correspond with one of our three approved narratives for international travel, you must be a criminal.'
The fact is that the CBSA are obsessed with catching people who might be trying to dodge customs duties on personal shopping. The concerns raised by officers in the G&M article seemed to refer exclusively to this kind of violation. To be fair, I do not know whether or not they apply the same level of diligence to detecting more serious violations. I certainly hope they do.
Last edited by nolens volans; Nov 1, 2008 at 9:03 pm Reason: ooh aar ooh aar ... dysgraphia strikes again
Nov 2, 2008, 8:38 am
#535
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K MM * DL MM * HH Diamond * Marriott Lifetime Titanium * Queen's '92
Posts: 5,950
Simon,
Why do you only presume that Canada Customs is only looking for those who under-declare their wine allowances on their exemption forms? To me that sounds a little narrow minded in your presumption of Canada Customs' official duties. If CBSAguy is still around, lets page him and let him at this!
Sanosuke!
Why do you only presume that Canada Customs is only looking for those who under-declare their wine allowances on their exemption forms? To me that sounds a little narrow minded in your presumption of Canada Customs' official duties. If CBSAguy is still around, lets page him and let him at this!
Sanosuke!
Tax, tax, tax. That's our mantra, yes it is.
Whilst entering UK: "welcome home, sir."
Simon
Nov 2, 2008, 10:01 am
#536
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Sun Peaks, Taupo.
Programs: NZ Elite, AC SE100K, Westjet Teal, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 6,130
My cynicism had a hunch where the report came from. It proved correct.
Whining from the union to try and create/protect more jobs in order to boost the union's fee base.
Officials with the border guards union were not immediately available for comment on the report
Nov 2, 2008, 6:25 pm
#537
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,849
They should bump the 48-hour allowance up to $2000 as the Kinney committee recommended, or remove it entirely, and they'd stop having so many people "smuggling" consumer goods in.
US purpose for entry checks: stop the bad guys.
Canadian purpose for entry checks: seize bottles of wine or tax, tax, tax.
consumer goods in.US purpose for entry checks: stop the bad guys.
Canadian purpose for entry checks: seize bottles of wine or tax, tax, tax.
I think they (BSOs themselves; perhaps not their employer) have moved quickly away from the old Revenue Canada taxation mentality and more toward a public safety mentality. Though I know horror stories do exist, I think the majority of Border Services Officers are anything but interested in charging duty on a couple hundred dollar overage (except possibly during work-to-rule action or if the traveller is acting like an idiot).
Nov 2, 2008, 7:03 pm
#538
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K MM * DL MM * HH Diamond * Marriott Lifetime Titanium * Queen's '92
Posts: 5,950
Then that begs the question: why so many inane questions vs. those of us who hold dual citizenship in EU countries and the smile/welcome back we get on our way in there?
nolens volans' example above is VERY typical.
Simon
nolens volans' example above is VERY typical.
Simon
Nov 2, 2008, 8:51 pm
#539
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: YYC - soon to be 東京
Programs: AC Prestige, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Gold, Hertz #1 Gold, Radisson Gold Elite, HHonors
Posts: 1,830
Simon,
They should pay the inspectors better wages so they don't have to ask so many questions to get paid at the end of the month.
The answer would be in the country-of-passport acquisition. The smile you might get when you go to Europe, might be based on the fact that you hold an EU or equalivent passport that allows you access to an non-EU country.
To say that every EU immigration inspector should smile and pat you on the back while saying "Welcome home", is akin to saying that CBSA should pat you on the _BUTT_ and say "good trip ? SECONDARY!"
Sorry, but that response of yours wasn't what most of us were looking for.
Honesty in your RESPONSE to the customs officer is _WHAT_ they want to hear more than your condricatory statements in reply to the questions. Maybe you hadn't thought about that, Simon.
Sanosuke!
They should pay the inspectors better wages so they don't have to ask so many questions to get paid at the end of the month.
The answer would be in the country-of-passport acquisition. The smile you might get when you go to Europe, might be based on the fact that you hold an EU or equalivent passport that allows you access to an non-EU country.
To say that every EU immigration inspector should smile and pat you on the back while saying "Welcome home", is akin to saying that CBSA should pat you on the _BUTT_ and say "good trip ? SECONDARY!"
Sorry, but that response of yours wasn't what most of us were looking for.
Honesty in your RESPONSE to the customs officer is _WHAT_ they want to hear more than your condricatory statements in reply to the questions. Maybe you hadn't thought about that, Simon.
Sanosuke!
Nov 2, 2008, 9:27 pm
#540
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: Air Canada
Posts: 16
Advice- A twist on the one family, one declaration???
Our situation. We are a family of four (hence the login name). Our youngest (4) was too young for a retinal scan. She needs to be processed physically (we can use the crew line). At our interview, we were told to split up. One adult, one child do retina scans and walk through. Other adult and little one do the crew line up and skip retina scans. Do we fill out two declaration cards? This has implications for ensuring that our declared items (such as duty free alcohol) are in seperate bags as half the party may have to go through secondary..... It really would make more sense to have all of us do manual screening, but that isn't what we were told........