You didn't receive any violation notice or fine, so it doesn't sound like your NEXUS is in jeopardy. Secondary searches are not unusual, even for NEXUS members, since you didn't have all your receipts on point.

The key is that you were honest, declared everything to the best of your knowledge, and were not in violation as it seems. If you had appeared to be negligent or unaware of your responsibilities (or in actual violation of program of customs rules), then you may have received some sort of sanction.

However, you should expect a higher probability of secondary inspection on upcoming trips in the near future. Just plan accordingly for a little extra time during crossing (and have receipts in order when you get to primary inspection) and you'll be fine.

I suspect, since you declared everything (merely stating you would need to get another receipt out of the trunk), it's very unlikely that was recorded as an infraction. It's likely the officer simply thought it was time for semi-random secondary inspection and since you had something minor amiss figured, well, may as well have a look through. I have had a couple trunk checks (in both directions) when using Nexus as well, seems like that's all you were subject to, which is fairly routine. Officers often use their discretion and don't bother with the collection of taxes (which makes a lot of sense to me anyway because it costs about as much to process the paperwork as they collect in HST). Sometimes they still send you in to pay, but often not.

It is of course faster for everyone if you have everything handy right at the get go, so for sure be as prepared as you can be.

Anyway, of course it's impossible to know for sure but I would suspect as well if they were marking down an infraction they'd similarly advise you.

Applied: Dec 22, 2016
Conditional Approval: March 23, 2017
Interview: April 4, 2017
Approval: April 4, 2017
Card Arrived: Did not arrive
Denial: April 4, 2017

I attended my interview, and nothing "bad" happened during my discussion with the U.S and Canadian agents (they interviewed me more or less jointly). The Canadian agent seemed concerned that I might possibly attempt to work illegally in her country. Her suspicions arose because I have an elderly friend who I visit in British Colombia from time to time, and in the U.S. I work as a home care aide to a (non-elderly) disabled individual. The agent expressed concern that I might be tempted to help my elderly Canadian friend in exchange for money, but since I stated that I had no intention of doing so, my Nexus application was approved. I was given information sheets about how the program works, and told that my card would be arriving by mail in an unmarked envelope. I was told where to go for my retina scan. Everything was good.

My card never arrived, and now that I finally got around to exploring that, I've logged into my account to find a denial letter dated on the same day as my interview. Interesting. The reason for denial is stated as "Other." I have no undisclosed arrests, dismissed, expunged, or otherwise.

I do not intend to appeal the decision, because from what I've read the process is lengthy, tedious, and people only get a response if they are persistent in badgering the ombudsman. I'm in no position to even begin appealing my case, because I was not told the reason for denial. It might take me months to first find out that information, so I can even attempt a reversal of the decision.

Also, I have read that people denied Nexus are very unlikely to win an appeal because they do not know if they were rejected by the US or by Canada. Additionally, I have decided that having Nexus/Global Entry will do me less good, since I most often travel with friends/family who would not have the clearance. TSA pre-check would be nice, though.

I'm very curious about why I was denied, so I might attempt to figure it out. If I learn the answer, I'll report back here.

Readers of this thread, be aware that "passing" your interview might mean nothing. I've read other accounts from people who were told that they'd passed only to find the approval had been revoked. However, odds are that you're safe. I guess only 3-5% of applicants are turned down. Hooray, I'm special!

Moderator's Note:
 

[MENTION=484931]MackAttack33[/MENTION];

Since the focus of your post appears to be more on the denial aspect than the timeline, I moved it to The NEXUS Information Thread.

TWA884
Travel Safety/Security co-moderator

I would call the enrollment center that you visited for clarification. It could be something as simple as them clicking the wrong button in the back end system while they meant to approve you.

Anyone know if there's been a change to the requirement to schedule an interview within 30 days of receiving your approval?

I just got approved for my renewal, though still need to do an interview. I recall it used to be you had to schedule an interview, at least initially, within 30 days of receiving the approval letter (i.e. actually get a time in, not necessarily complete it). I noticed my renewal notice didn't specify anything about scheduling within a certain amount of days.

I ask as I live in the midwest US. I suppose I could do a 4-hour drive to Detroit, but would prefer to do it when I am in YYZ next. Between only being there for a few days every couple of months, and the fact that its hard to get an appointment to begin with, not sure i can necessarily get one when I will be there. I know i could schedule a time whenver, then change it, but since I noticed the lack of the timeframe, was wondering if others knew if this piece has gone away.

Do not know if there has been a change in requirement to schedule an interview within 30 days of receiving approval.

As far as I know, you just need to make an appointment for any date within 30 days from conditional approval. Then you can change your appointment to any date as often as you wish. NEXUS appointments are much easier to obtain than Global Entry.

I was approved a couple of weeks ago and scheduled my interview for late July and the system didn't balk.

It is challenging to find a time slot available in the next 30 days at all, so if the rule was that your interview would need to be within the next 30 days, it would make it practically impossible.

Also, there would be no reason for them to take appointments months into the future if you have to have your interview within 30 days of approval.

To clarify, the requirement is to SCHEDULE an appointment, for any date available, within 30 days of Conditional Approval. The appointment can be for any date in the scheduling system, and can be changed at any time to any other available date.

You do NOT have to find an appointment DATE within 30 days, you must take the action to schedule something (anything) within 30 days of Conditional Approval.

And it can be for any location. Several locations have nearly wide-open availability, so worst case book an appointment for, say, Pembina as far out as possible, and then reschedule to a better time/location when your travel plans are more firm.

That is inaccurate. The correct requirement concerning the scheduling of interview is as follows:

That was what I tried to say. mnbp's clarification makes it perfectly clear.

Sorry if I was unclear, but yes, I meant having to schedule within 30 days.

My point was, IIRC, it used to be stated in the letter that you needed to schedule within 30 days, and I don't see that any longer. So that's why i was asking if that is still the case.

My process
 

I applied in January, 2016 and was conditionally approved soon there after. I have been putting off the interview since then as I haven't really been near the border. I was in Seattle recently and decided to take care of it.

I was able to secure an interview at the Blaine, WA enrollment center quickly. They have just opened a new enrollment center that has TONS of appointments available everyday. You can schedule an appointment the next day from every time I checked.

I arrived about 10 minutes early for my appointment. You take a number and are called to a reception window where your Conditional Approval letter, passport, GE or NEXUS card (if you have one), and other documents are collected. They asked if I had a copy of my birth certificate. I did not and they said no problem.

I was called to a booth right on time. There is a CBP officer and a CBSA officer at each both and present for the entire interview. The CBP officer and I spoke first. He reviewed my application, all the information on it and asked if there were changes. He asked why I was interested in NEXUS since I had GE. I explained that I wanted similar benefits in Canada. He asked about my reasons for travelling, if I had family or friends in Canada, and if I did business in Canada.

He informed me that they saw an arrest on my record. I said I did and provided paperwork showing that all charges were dropped (the arrest was in 2001). He tok the documents, reviewed them along with the CBSA officer, made copies, and then told me I was approved.

I then moved over to the CBSA officer's side of the booth. She reviewed some information, asked if I had any other run-ins with police including DUI or reckless driving. She reviewed how to use the NEXUS card, that everyone in a vehicle must have NEXUS and that you can't drop someone off to cross as a pedestrian while you use the NEXUS lane.

I asked about getting an iris scan. She gave me information and sent me on my way. Total time talking to officers: 6 minutes. I received my approval while I was in the parking lot.

After you are approved, you can leave the Blaine enrollment center and enter Canada at the Pacific Crossing/Truck Crossing. There is a CBSA office directly inside Canada after you are admitted (with INCREDIBLY limited parking). You don't need an appointment there. You just walk in, go to the first window, present your passport and they will get your iris scan done quickly. That entire process took maybe 10 minutes. After that, you are already admitted into Canada, so if you want to go and get some Tim's you are good to go!

Received the following email this morning: