BajaNomad

SENTRI Hassle?

cwsMTK - 12-29-2024 at 05:39 PM

I just crossed back into the US at San Ysidro, after not being in Baja for a year (life comes at ya fast, was great to be back).

The Agent at the border when he took my cards gave me a hard time saying that SENTRI is only for commuters and that you can't have stuff in the back of your car? (I had surfboards and the usual camping stuff). Did some policy change? I've been using SENTRI for camping and surfing trips pretty heavily in the 4 years leading up to this and NEVER been told that (and I've been sent to secondary once BC a friend hadn't activated his Sentri Card).

I was apologetic and didn't argue but he said a less "understanding" agent would send me to secondary and I could lose my Global Entry/Sentri??

Has anyone heard this before or did I just get some guy having a bad day? He told me that I was supposed to use the Ready Lane instead or General Traffic :no:

Also I had been planning to ask the agent about if motrcycle hitch carriers are allowed in Sentri but since this guy was giving me a hard time I passed. Has anyone done that before?

Thanks

[Edited on 12-30-2024 by cwsMTK]

[Edited on 12-30-2024 by cwsMTK]

mtgoat666 - 12-29-2024 at 06:31 PM

If i am packed to gills with toys and camping gear, i use readi or regular lane. Having a full vehicle is a gray area, agents sometimes frown on it.

mjs - 12-29-2024 at 08:07 PM

I've gotten so many different answers from sentri agents about was allowed/ not allowed that I don't think they even know their own rules.

I cross on a regular basis with a roof top tent and have never been questioned about it. Last week with a motorcycle on a hitch carrier, no issue waived right through. Used to cross regularly with motos and gear in the truck.

surabi - 12-29-2024 at 08:45 PM

Sounds like the guy's hemorrhoids were bothering him or he's just one of those officious azzholes who like to hassle you because they can.

"Yes, you are generally allowed to have camping gear when using the SENTRI lane, as long as it is properly packed and doesn't significantly obstruct the view of your vehicle's interior, allowing for a quick inspection by customs officials; however, individual border agents may still ask to check your gear depending on the situation.
Key points to remember:
No specific restrictions:
There are no official rules explicitly stating you can't bring camping gear through SENTRI."

So maybe you got hassled if your vehicle was packed to the gills with stuff- seems they want the vehicle to be easily searchable when using Sentri, as opposed to it looking like a hoarder's home on wheels.

Prohibited items are the same whether using Sentri or not- all the stuff we already know about- fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, firearms and ammunition, hazardous chemicals, etc., etc.

[Edited on 12-30-2024 by surabi]

Tioloco - 12-29-2024 at 08:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mjs  
I've gotten so many different answers from sentri agents about was allowed/ not allowed that I don't think they even know their own rules.


That is the real life standard- Inconsistency.
Definitely depends on the day and which agent you talk to/ which POE you are at.

Maderita - 12-29-2024 at 09:11 PM

In November, I went through the SENTRI lane with my van. There was camping gear strewn about in the back. The CBP agent didn't like it, saying that the visual inspection should be able to be conducted in x number of seconds. I don't recall the number of seconds; less than a minute. Perhaps it was 30 or 40 seconds. She appeared irritated as she said that she was entering the warning on the computer and that I could lose my SENTRI card if it happens again.

I've made 100-200 SENTRI crossings with similar disorganized gear in the van. This is the first time I've been warned. Perhaps CBP is tightening up on the rules?
CBP seems to have 3 sets of rules:
1. The official rules, which are made available to the public.
2. Their rules, only known to the CBP, which the public can learn about through trial and error, scoldings by the agents, or reading online forums.
3. The agent's subjective interpretation of rules, or the rules which the individual agent decides to enforce that day/hour/minute.

surabi - 12-29-2024 at 09:57 PM

That could pretty much be said about most bureaucratic entities, in most countries. Luck of the draw as far as encountering an official who glories in making things difficult or one who doesn't seem to be interested in throwing their weight around, as long as you haven't done anything wrong. Some countries seem to require some basic level of never-crack-a-smile, hard-azzness from their officials, while others don't appear to require their officials to completely hide any semblance of being a normal human.

BooJumMan - 12-30-2024 at 08:04 AM

This happened to me out of the blue about 8 years ago, I think I wrote about it on here somewhere. Crossed several times for roughly 5 years prior with Sentri, packed with camping gear. Never an issue, and never heard of there being a limit or rule against it.

Then crossing back north in SY, a very aggressive border agent ripped me a new one for having too many things and he was unable to search my vehicle in x seconds / x minutes. I tried to complain to CBP, crossing my entire life, I have never dealt with someone so aggressive and unpleasant. I also reached out to CBP for a listing of rules, and specifically asked about loaded vehicles. Never got a a reply or found a rule.

Been using Sentri now for close to 15 years and still have not had any other encounters like that one, but it goes through my mind everytime. I have a friend who will only take READY lane now because of a similar encounter.

Tioloco - 12-30-2024 at 10:30 AM

BooJumMan-

Is an unfortunate reality that CBP doesn't respond to complaints about their employees. That fosters more bad encounters with the public.

Udo - 12-31-2024 at 04:16 PM

I found out the hard way that it does not pay to argue with the SENTRI CBP agents, even when you are correct.
I showed them (on their own web page) what a rule is as printed by Homeland Security on a CBP bulletin.
I was told that the rule is a matter of interpretation...

And I still lost my SENTRI PASS 4 years ago.

Tioloco - 12-31-2024 at 07:52 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Udo  
I found out the hard way that it does not pay to argue with the SENTRI CBP agents, even when you are correct.
I showed them (on their own web page) what a rule is as printed by Homeland Security on a CBP bulletin.
I was told that the rule is a matter of interpretation...

And I still lost my SENTRI PASS 4 years ago.


Yep and ouch. Is indicative of any government agency with no accountability or oversight. And the fanboys will claim it is all in keeping the country safe. Sad to see

thebajarunner - 1-1-2025 at 11:59 AM

Made my first SENTRI crossing two days ago (after a 19 month wait for the card) Mexicali West, long line but moved right along and was only about 10 minute total time
Buit, at the final dozen cars the guy never really even stopped the, just a quick glace at cards and go
We had two small pots and a small yard statue in back of SUV along with a large plastic container full of canned grocery stuff
Guy had me foll down windows, tapped on the pots, asked where we had been, etc.
He was extremely pleasant, so we exchanged a few nice words on the visit, etc
But, still was surprised that I held up a never stopping line for a couple minutes due to a couple pots.
No, the back was not jammed to the ceiling and just a cooler, small suitcases and coooler alongside the box of groceri3es.

mtgoat666 - 1-1-2025 at 12:47 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco  
Quote: Originally posted by Udo  
I found out the hard way that it does not pay to argue with the SENTRI CBP agents, even when you are correct.
I showed them (on their own web page) what a rule is as printed by Homeland Security on a CBP bulletin.
I was told that the rule is a matter of interpretation...

And I still lost my SENTRI PASS 4 years ago.


Yep and ouch. Is indicative of any government agency with no accountability or oversight. And the fanboys will claim it is all in keeping the country safe. Sad to see


I know you campers are harmless and you feel you should sail through sentri with your truck packed to the gills,… but smugglers look just like you. CBP has a job to do, you asked your government to stop the smuggling, this is what you get, so dont complain!

I am amused that some people take offense at CBP doing their job when they cross the border and are offended when get thoroughly inspected,…while those same people loudly demand their govt increase the border enforcement, and scream loudly for govt to stop the drug smuggling.

If the new admin does what it says it will do, the border inspection inconvenience will grow exponentially. Get ready for border gridlock, it is likely coming!


P.s. i am more concerned about those border xing xray machines. I suspect they are maintained by lowest bid govt contractor, paying maintenance workers minimum wage,…. I wonder how much cancer risk is driving through malfunctioning xray machines.





[Edited on 1-1-2025 by mtgoat666]

surabi - 1-1-2025 at 01:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  


I am amused that some people take offense at CBP doing their job when they cross the border and are offended when get thoroughly inspected,…while those same people loudly demand their govt increase the border enforcement, and scream loudly for govt to stop the drug smuggling.



Oh, but it's only the brown people they think should be thoroughly vetted, not good ole' white boys and girls.

Tioloco - 1-1-2025 at 03:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  


I am amused that some people take offense at CBP doing their job when they cross the border and are offended when get thoroughly inspected,…while those same people loudly demand their govt increase the border enforcement, and scream loudly for govt to stop the drug smuggling.



Oh, but it's only the brown people they think should be thoroughly vetted, not good ole' white boys and girls.


Is there a moderator available to stop this racial hatred? Please take your NEGATIVITY to the OFF TOPIC.

Lee - 1-1-2025 at 04:11 PM

Quote: Originally posted by thebajarunner  

He was extremely pleasant, so we exchanged a few nice words on the visit, etc
But, still was surprised that I held up a never stopping line for a couple minutes due to a couple pots.


You were being profiled. Prob liked you too. Taking a mental break?

Happend to me Mex East. MX looking guy asked routine question, I responded and joked, he joked back, we laughed, it was great and atypical. I was being profiled and connecting. Fine with me.

Lee - 1-1-2025 at 04:30 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Tioloco  
Quote: Originally posted by Udo  
I found out the hard way that it does not pay to argue with the SENTRI CBP agents, even when you are correct.
I showed them (on their own web page) what a rule is as printed by Homeland Security on a CBP bulletin.
I was told that the rule is a matter of interpretation...

And I still lost my SENTRI PASS 4 years ago.


Yep and ouch. Is indicative of any government agency with no accountability or oversight. And the fanboys will claim it is all in keeping the country safe. Sad to see


CBP might have thought showing the bulletin made him wrong and probably considered disrespectful. Big lesson for nomads.

Tioloco - 1-1-2025 at 04:43 PM

Lee- Maybe so? But it is never good when a government agency gets to a point where they no longer answer to the public.

elgatoloco - 1-2-2025 at 12:39 PM

Bottom line is the 'interpretation' is at the discretion of the officer.

Years before Sentri I had printed out all 44 pages of what was legal to bring back and what was not. At the time 'well corked pork' was legal. We would often stop at Flor de Michoacán for carnitas dinner on way home and bring back leftovers. I would declare and never had a problem but one time we got called out and I showed the guys in secondary my list from the Customs website. One newer looking guy was going to let us go. A veteran came over and saw what we had in container. His eyes got big and I could see his pavlovian response kick in. He said he would have to confiscate and despite what was written it was always 'at the discretion of the officer'. We were standing out side our rig and I said I would throw it in trash. He said no problem he would do it. As he walked away I asked if he wanted the tortillas too.

We saved thousands of dollars on avocados because you could bring them across if there were no seeds or skin. We would buy kilos of them and cut them up and put them in large zip locs. Good times.

One time in early days of Sentri wife had one tomato in the cooler that I had not noticed. We got sent to secondary and they were going to take our cards. They gave us a warning but since then the only thing we bring back is booze.

Last August we crossed Sentri in my F-250 and the booth officer told me he was going to take my card away because I did not have a front license plate. I told him I had no idea and it must have fallen off on the trip, south. He ended up giving me a warning and told me to replace it our else. I said I would. Ordered the plates and in meantime took my other rig down. When crossing north we were sent to Secondary and they took my card away and would not say why only to contact Otay office. They told me I needed to bring truck to office along with paperwork and photos of front and back plates. Got new plates, made an appointment and went in last month and told them what had happened and they gave me my card back. Never asked to look at photos, registration or truck. Officer told me to make sure that my vehicles fully confirmed with California DMV rules.

Viva Sentri! Viva Mexico!

Happy New Year!

YMMV

dutra - 1-3-2025 at 11:57 AM

You guys just have the best luck i love it. Crossed using sentri 3 times last year coming home from bola. I like mexicali east better. Truck with a chest freezer, fishing gear, coolers, clothes, and fireworks from the cartel controlled San Felipe. Never more than 5-10 minute wait. One guy in the party doesn’t have sentri. He gets out of line right at the fence and walks over. We have to wait longer for him