FlyerTalk Forums - Archived: The NEXUS Information Thread

Anybody else being harassed by the custom hall guard to take the US declaration card on their way in the US custom hall? I cross each week at YUL and in the last few weeks they have become very insistent on the matter.

Last Monday, I was told it was a new policy and that I absolutely had to take the declaration card. Took the card, used GE and threw the card away as I exited the custom hall... I wonder what their motivation is.

I got that from the YYZ transborder too but I don't think they're proper guards. I think they're very low-level people who probably have no idea what is going on in the room they are guarding. I usually don't have my hearing aid on at that point, and I sometimes get confused what they are hooting at me about, but then I figured they were calling my attention to my "forgetting" to pick up the unnecessary card. If they are insistent, I take it and then leave it at the machine or toss it (blank) after turning in the GE card to the real guard.

ffsim

Jul 30, 2013 9:34 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by yultraveler (Post 21186876)

They're blindly following rules. Which drives me absolutely crazy. Especially since I get chewed out by the CBP agents when I show up with a declaration card in hand. "You don't need those!!!!! Why don't you know the rules of GE?????????" "I'm aware of the program, officer. It would be helpful if someone would explain it to the gatekeepers." Then they takes the declaration card and trash it for me. Incredible.

gglave

Jul 30, 2013 10:35 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ffsim (Post 21187212)

Especially since I get chewed out by the CBP agents when I show up with a declaration card in hand

I have a stack of blue cards at my desk and I always fill out one out a day or two before the flight. It's in my bag. That way if the GE machine is broken I can slide over and use Nexus instead. If GE's not broken the card stays in my bag.

canadiancow

Jul 31, 2013 12:32 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by gglave (Post 21187475)

I tried that, but it resulted in me throwing them out every time. Now, I just keep a couple blank ones, so if GE's down, I can pull one out and quickly fill it out.

kaiotes

Jul 31, 2013 12:46 am

I'll be using the Nexus lane for the first time at yyz.
I will be having food with me, candy, chocolates and such. There will be a gift < $60.
I 'm a uS citizen and CDn citizen but consider myself a US resident as I reside in the US.
I will need to declare my food, what about the gift? The TDC form wont apply to me as i'm not a CDN resident right? Then what do i use to declare my food and gift?
Thx

ffsim

Jul 31, 2013 6:22 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by canadiancow (Post 21187864)

I tried that, but it resulted in me throwing them out every time. Now, I just keep a couple blank ones, so if GE's down, I can pull one out and quickly fill it out.

This.

I'm not the world's biggest treehugger, but I can't stand having to fill out that card knowing full well it's going to get trashed.

SYM	Jul 31, 2013 6:57 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiotes (Post 21187897)

Unless the lines are terrible, I suggest you don't use nexus. You will automatically get sent to secondary, where the waits can be very long. If you explain the situation to the primary, s/he will likely wave you through.

gglave

Jul 31, 2013 9:34 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by SYM (Post 21189052)

Exactly right - If you think you're going to answer 'yes' to any of the questions, don't use Nexus.

B1	Jul 31, 2013 10:54 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiotes (Post 21187897)

The GE machine does not ask about ordinary food (don't bring fruit or plants). The printed card for the regular line does ask (in mid-sentence) and you must answer that you have it and you will often be sent for a secondary if you do. If the gifts are within your allowance, there is no issue either way but if they are over your limit you have to declare them and you should check the GE rules to see if you are allowed to use GE in that case. My opinion is that you should not bring food unless you have the time to deal with an inspection, no matter which way you choose. Not only do they check the food, they inspect your luggage and your passport and frown a lot.

emcampbe

Jul 31, 2013 11:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by B1 (Post 21190508)

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiotes

I'll be using the Nexus lane for the first time at yyz.
I will be having food with me, candy, chocolates and such. There will be a gift < $60.
I 'm a uS citizen and CDn citizen but consider myself a US resident as I reside in the US.
I will need to declare my food, what about the gift? The TDC form wont apply to me as i'm not a CDN resident right? Then what do i use to declare my food and gift?
Thx

The GE machine does not ask about ordinary food (don't bring fruit or plants). The printed card for the regular line does ask (in mid-sentence) and you must answer that you have it and you will often be sent for a secondary if you do. If the gifts are within your allowance, there is no issue either way but if they are over your limit you have to declare them and you should check the GE rules to see if you are allowed to use GE in that case. My opinion is that you should not bring food unless you have the time to deal with an inspection, no matter which way you choose. Not only do they check the food, they inspect your luggage and your passport and frown a lot.

Based on the fact OP is a US resident and speaks of a gift <$60, my guess is they are talking about entering Canada, not the US. In which case, my guess is the kind of food they are talking about wouldn't require answering yes. I suppose it depends on what exactly it is. The Canadian form doesn't ask about "food" in general - only about specific types such as meats, dairy, seeds, etc. OP only has to declare if they have those specific kinds (and I don't consider chocolate counting as dairy). If they don't have to declare - can just use Nexus as normal.

gglave

Jul 31, 2013 1:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by B1 (Post 21190508)

The GE machine does not ask about ordinary food

There is no GE machine for Canada entry at YYZ - Only Nexus of course.

kaiotes

Jul 31, 2013 4:34 pm

I am entering YYZ from US.

so if I had say a gift > 60, i'd have to declare and i cant use the nexus lane and would have to use the regular lane? If it was >60 I dont need to even declare it?

And if i had say one of their listed foods I also cant use nexus lane?

How's the line at say 6 and 9AM Saturday mornings?

gglave

Jul 31, 2013 5:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaiotes (Post 21192587)

When you enter Canada you have to fill out a customs declaration form. If you have gifts worth more than $60 then you have to answer "yes" to the "do you exceed your exemption question" on the form.

If you have Meat / Dairy / Nuts / Fruits / Vegetables / Plants - Then you need to check "yes" on the form when it asks about these items.

The Nexus machine will ask you something like "Did you answer 'yes' to any of the questions?" and if you have, it will automatically second you to secondary.

If you talk with an officer instead of using the Nexus machine, he'll ask you some questions and likely just wave you through.

So if you have have to answer yes don't use Nexus.

TST550

Aug 1, 2013 2:15 am

I applied for Nexus in late may and my status is still "pending review"! Does anyone have any idea why it has taken so long?
Also is there a way to contact them and inquire about my application? I couldnt find any contact info on the website.

dustman81

Aug 1, 2013 5:23 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by TST550 (Post 21194721)

I applied May 20th and got conditional approval two days ago.

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