re: Crossing the Canadian border for a day

Don't bring any work related items if you aren't there for work. They don't like Americans coming for work. If you are there for work, make sure you are considered a "business visitor" (their language, look it up at CBP).

If you are there for leisure and happen to have plans evidenced in writing, print it up or bring your phone (remember they have different cell networks that get funny at the border, just print something). Show them you have dinner reservations or musuem tickets.

CBP does not play. I had a buddy who worked for a Canadian company with a roll of blueprints (long time ago eh) he was returning to the Canadian office. The prints showed a machine they were selling to Americans. CBP spot-valued them at $20,000 and demanded import duty. My friend showed them the Canadian company info and told them he was returning them. Nope, CBP didnt' care. My friend threw them in the trash and went on his way.

If you are there for work and do not have things lined up properly (IE not considered a business visitor nor have the proper permits) they can and will toss your arse in a holding cell. I know guys its happened to.

Also if you have a DUI, forget about it. Canada does not play with DUI's. You have to hire a lawyer and pay some serious coin to get it expunged.

Finally if you lie about any of this and they find out (I know another guy who CBP exposed his lie) they will toss you out and make it very hard to ever come back.

My Sales territory included all of Canada.

Got the typical “Taking jobs from Canadians?”

“No, expanding Canadian Electric Power and making the system more secure.”

No one messed with us.

Fruit and wood is a no go.

You can take bear spray if you tell them the purpose of your trip is to hike, but personal pepper spray for protection from other humans isn’t allowed (that’s what the agent told me last year).

I crossed on the east side of glacier and that was my experience.

I had left the bear spray at the hotel in Montana because I didn’t know.

The Canadian female agent was very friendly. Coming back into America the guy was more stern.

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believe they will check your criminal history. If you've ever had a DUI expect to be denied entry.

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This is not necessarily true despite what the internet tells you. 7 years ago my wife and I flew to Toronto and I never had any issues with that process despite having a DUI in college. Last year we were in Detroit and drove across the border into Windsor and again no issues at all. The border crossing at Windsor was very easy simple and only took a minute.

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what typically do border agents look for? Fairly quick and simple process since I won't have any luggage with me?

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A couple tips:

Don't try to be funny and crack a stupid joke about drugs up your butt or smuggling maple syrup or anything. They turn off their sense of humor when on duty.

Definitely ask stupid questions about a good place to eat up ahead or if there is somewhere to watch a hockey game in whatever town you are going to. They'll relax and just want to get you as far away from them as soon as possible.

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Since I've never crossed any border by car, what typically do border agents look for?

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Depends on the agent. Some will literally wave you through, others will give you a hard time.

Some of them have a massive burr up their arse.

I've been through the Buffalo/Niagara crossing 4 times. Each time in rental cars. Never been asked anything more than if I was bringing any controlled items into Canada. Politely answered nope, just up here to enjoy the falls for a couple days. Was waved through each time.

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slip a 50 in with it

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USD, just to be clear.

Not the funny money they print in CAN.

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Also if you have a DUI, forget about it. Canada does not play with DUI's. You have to hire a lawyer and pay some serious coin to get it expunged.

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I have crossed the border (at Detroit/Windsor) with a friend who had a DUI conviction. He was freaking out before our trip (had alternative plans if not let in) but they didn't say a word about it.

We flew into Saskatoon last year to duck hunt and the border agent asked me if I had been arrested before. I had a Simple Battery from a bar fight about 30 years ago and I literally would have forgot about that except I had to provide details on it for a security clearance about 3 years ago so it was somewhat fresh on my mind. My buddy behind me in line to clear is DEA and was kinda looking at the screen the border guy was staring at since he had an angle to the monitor and he said that my arrest was on his screen. I was kinda glad I remembered it because I felt they would have made a deal of it because the border agents that have to deal with the multitude of duck hunters in the Fall can become very agitated dealing with everything we bring.