The Ease of Crossing

Many stories drift through the network of human relationships and social media both good and bad regarding vehicular crossings into Canada or for that matter any Port of Entry where driving or riding across in a vehicle is the means. The Panhandle has two such border crossings into Canada: Eastport which operates round the clock all year long and Port Hill (Kingsgate on the Canadian side) open seven days a week between 7am and 11pm only. The stories are mostly good, no problem; but some are negative, expressing a wear on nerves or frustrations of untimely or ill-thought encounters.

I visited Port Director, Jeffrey Lisius, at East Port recently to clarify what one should know for a smoother border crossing without undue hassle.

There is a Difference

Just to clarify, the good folks working the Ports of Entry are not Border Patrol agents. They are U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel. Both agencies work for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, but their responsibilities are not the same.

Border Patrol monitors, observes and handles illegal crossings outside the Ports of Entry, to be clear: these would be people who for one reason or another try to circumvent customs. They may be carrying contraband, drugs or anything illegal on foot, by ATV, or in a boat, on horseback or by air. They may be individuals trying to slip across the border to avoid arrest or for some other ill-intended reason want to avoid detection. Not a good idea. This article is not for them; this is for the general, law-abiding public who just wants to go in and come back out on a business trip, for a visit, a vacation or a weekend experience.

To Take or Not to Take

Crossing the border should pose no real problem nor give rise to any undue stress or concern. Just know what you can do, what you can carry and how you should respond when border personnel ask questions. It’s that simple. Don’t try to hide anything; it’s not a game. Likewise, look over everything you are carrying in your vehicle when you intend to cross over. Don’t carry anything you don’t plan on using or need, including people you don’t know.

With a little digging, you can gain accurate understanding by looking through all related points and tabs on the Ports of Entry website: www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/id. The “id” is for Idaho. If you want to know another state’s ports, just slip the appropriate abbreviation into that slot.

Here’s another site where you can find rather thorough explanations of dos and don’ts: www.ezbordercrossing.com/. But for facts and/or solutions posed on any privately run site, including that of Bonners Ferry Living Local or any other media outlet where this information is presented. You are better off getting it straight from the horse’s mouth. For that, go to the government’s website.

The Basics

You are better off having a passport, complete with all the current information about where you reside, who you are, and so forth. Visit your post office for that and allow a little time in the processing. Your spouse and your kids, anyone in your family should have one. If you are carrying passengers or especially children of another family, be sure they are clearly documented as to who they are, why they are with you, where you are taking them as well as where and when you expect to return to the United States.

Answer every question truthfully. You can trust that border personnel on both sides of the border share databases containing just about everything known about you. Yup! Don’t try to cover up. Get caught lying and you’re likely going to be turned back or charged with a crime. And because those databases keep a record of each time you cross the border and are turned back, a lie will make it tougher to cross on another occasion, if not impossible.

This applies to minors as well. If you or one of your passengers has a pending warrant, is in a criminal trial or otherwise carrying any record of a criminal conviction, you will want to check out current border regulations BEFORE you get to the checkpoint. And be thorough. EasyBorderCrossing.com has adequate information for you under “Prior Criminal Offenses.”

This is hard for some folks, but be courteous. The person addressing you has the responsibility to observe rightly who you are and what your intentions might be. Courtesy is a good thing. The golden rule applies. Sarcastic remarks and/or political comments thrown off the cuff can significantly delay your time in front of a port official. It’s not the time or the place to exhibit a privately held bias or testy attitude.

Always answer only the questions you are asked. It’s not the place to be witty. Remember, the person in front of you has a responsibility to safeguard other citizens. Don’t test them. Just be clear and answer what you are asked as truthfully as you can. Give them reason to suspect something and they can ask as many questions as they want to ask. Just be forthright.

Remove sunglasses so they can see your eyes. Don’t drink before crossing. Any signs of being drunk or drugged will end your trip. Be sure you’re buckled up (everyone in the car). Have proper ID’s for everyone with current addresses. If transporting a pet or animals, have the correct documents with you, ready to show. Your vet can advise the proper documentation necessary. Take only what you need, even in your trunk and don’t, please don’t try to take fruit or produce across in a cooler. You may have to eat it right there! Or give it away.

That’s just a summary, but it should be enough to help you enjoy your experience. Please explore the websites for more information. Those who work the ports of entry are there on your behalf. They are good people whose job is to protect us all. Treat them well, respect them, give them what they need to know, and you’ll be on your way.

Dwayne Parsons is a Realtor with Century 21 Beutler & Associates in Coeur d’Alene working primarily in Boundary County. He can be reached through his mobile number 208.290.2300.

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