At 03:43 5/8/99 , Tom Trottier wrote:
>As a fairly frequent traveller between the US & Canada over the years,
>I'd like to state that the customs & immigration officials are fairly
>inconsistent, Usually I breeze by, but sometimes they are big
>sticklers.
>
>I think they do this partly on a random basis (how?) and partly they
>see something "suspicious" or "contrary" and then they poke & prod to
>see how you react, confirming or denying their suspicions or punishing
>your contrariness.
>
>So be friendly, open (but not too open, that's suspicious) and if
>you're ever in some hurry, tell them why. (good luck...)
>
>If you're afraid of them, act *very* meek & mild rather than abrupt.
>
>Tom
Similar experience at U.S. and Mexico border which I've been crossing quite
frequently on business lately (which requires an FMN [Mexican business
visa]). The Mexico customs are interested in preventing import of weapons
or ammunition, and goods without duties. Coming back into the U.S. gets
all manner of greeting depending on who you encounter and whether or not he
(she) is having a "bad hair" day. Last week I had to answer "NO" over a
half dozen times to repeated variations of whether I was bringing anything
back with me from Mexico in rapid succession. During this, the guy was
pulling the rear seat up to look under it and pawing through my briefcase.
This was not the normal treatment. Looking alert, responding directly to
questions quickly, and answering *only* what is asked (but not abruptly)
usually helps. I think the randomness is deliberate . . . at least to keep
basically honest people honest.
It is rare indeed if I bring anything back, and then it is always declared
even if it is not subject to import duty. The U.S. customs people where I
cross in Brownsville are typically humorless, probably because of enough
locals on both sides (along with some idiot U.S. tourists) try to slip
things (mostly consumer goods and liquor) past customs. The Mexico customs
people have always been courteous, but all business because they are busy.
You *don't* want to get caught trying to slip something past going either
direction.
-- John
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