BajaNomad

SENTRI, can I have a mini propane tank in my car?

bajalearner - 4-16-2014 at 08:24 AM

Passed through SY SENTRI yesterday and asked if I can bring a mini propane tank (5 gal) through SENTRI and the officer said he's not sure but check the SENTRI list.

I don't have the list any longer, so I am asking if someone knows the answer.

David K - 4-16-2014 at 08:33 AM

It's not a fruit, vegetable or booze (or illegal drug)... Why would it be prohibited? Let us know!

bajalearner - 4-16-2014 at 09:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
It's not a fruit, vegetable or booze (or illegal drug)... Why would it be prohibited? Let us know!


No it's not, but neither are 9 empty aluminum cans, which I was written up for, by a female officer in secondary.

I learned this is prohitbited contraband and so serious a violation, it doesn't warrant issuing me the rule and a warning.

bajalearner - 4-16-2014 at 09:36 AM

I think that particular female officer should be paid 65% of what the men in her job classification are paid because her judgement is 65% of good judgement .

Kgryfon - 4-16-2014 at 05:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalearner
I think that particular female officer should be paid 65% of what the men in her job classification are paid because her judgement is 65% of good judgement .


That assumes that all of the men in the job have 100% good judgment...which is highly questionable...but your idea of merit-based pay rather than gender-based pay is a good one. Any two people doing the same job equally well should be paid equally. Glad we agree on that! ;D

DENNIS - 4-16-2014 at 05:42 PM

Propane powered vehicles have propane tanks.

fandango - 4-16-2014 at 07:49 PM

I have taken a 20 gallon propane take north through sentri a couple times and never thought about it. Nothing was said at the border but I wasn't sent to secondary and the agent didn't look in the truck.

I looked on the cbp website and tanks are not mentioned BUT in 2012 October, they found over 100# of cocaine in a propane tank after they sent the car through the "X-ray".

I'm leaving my tank in Mexico. ; ^ )

elgatoloco - 4-16-2014 at 08:12 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalearner
Quote:
Originally posted by David K
It's not a fruit, vegetable or booze (or illegal drug)... Why would it be prohibited? Let us know!


No it's not, but neither are 9 empty aluminum cans, which I was written up for, by a female officer in secondary.

I learned this is prohitbited contraband and so serious a violation, it doesn't warrant issuing me the rule and a warning.


Never crossed Sentri with a gas bottle.

For 5 decades my family brought home all the recyclable cans, plastic and glass from our casa so it would not end up in the arroyo. When we got Sentri that all had to change. Zero tolerance. The only consumables I cross north with are Tequila and pan dulce. :saint:

DENNIS - 4-16-2014 at 08:24 PM

I wonder what they think of pressure cookers these days? Probably no more than a twenty year prison sentence.

MMc - 4-16-2014 at 09:09 PM

I have a friend that tried to bring back 2 and the radio active alarms went off. One is not a issue. This was the sentri lane.

bajalearner - 4-17-2014 at 06:37 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by MMc
I have a friend that tried to bring back 2 and the radio active alarms went off. One is not a issue. This was the sentri lane.


Do you know if the tanks are a crossing violation other than setting off the radio active alarm (and shutting down the entire border crossing)? hahaha

durrelllrobert - 4-17-2014 at 08:07 AM

I think the extra restrictions placed on "trusted travelers" in the SENTRI lanes are ridiculous. Anyone crossing in the regular lanes can bring those same items if they are not on the restricted list. :?::?:

durrelllrobert - 4-17-2014 at 08:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Propane powered vehicles have propane tanks.

In fact gasoline powered vehicles have gas tanks that are much more dangerous than propane tanks. Also can pack more drugs in a gas tank than a propane tank.

Ateo - 4-17-2014 at 08:21 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I think the extra restrictions placed on "trusted travelers" in the SENTRI lanes are ridiculous. Anyone crossing in the regular lanes can bring those same items if they are not on the restricted list. :?::?:


What extra restrictions? I'm ignorant of this and I have Sentri.

durrelllrobert - 4-17-2014 at 09:02 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Ateo
Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I think the extra restrictions placed on "trusted travelers" in the SENTRI lanes are ridiculous. Anyone crossing in the regular lanes can bring those same items if they are not on the restricted list. :?::?:


What extra restrictions? I'm ignorant of this and I have Sentri.

Here's a few that don't apply to regular lanes:
1. Nothing in bed of pickup truck
2. No damaged windshields
3. No infants(or anyone else) without SENTRI
4.No empty beverage containers???

bajaguy - 4-17-2014 at 09:14 AM

We cross N/B every April with two pick-up trucks.

Plenty of "stuff" in the back seat and the beds are usually 1/2 full, plus a dog and a cat. Never had a problem. CBP are usually interested in petting the dog and scratching the cat's ears.

Usual question is.......was that your wife in the red truck??
Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Here's a few that don't apply to regular lanes:
1. Nothing in bed of pickup truck

dasubergeek - 4-17-2014 at 09:45 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I think the extra restrictions placed on "trusted travelers" in the SENTRI lanes are ridiculous. Anyone crossing in the regular lanes can bring those same items if they are not on the restricted list. :?::?:


The point is to be able to clear you through quickly. If they have to stop and look at all the stuff everyone is bringing back, there's no point in the SENTRI line.

Any SENTRI holder who's got too much stuff for SENTRI can use the Ready Lane. That's what I do when I have a bunch of stuff I'm bringing home.

bajalearner - 4-17-2014 at 09:58 AM

I was told by an officer that on the third "write up", a person's SENTRI is revoked, so it is important to know the rules, even if the officers don't. Such as a propane tank in the car, or a few empty cans, or???

tjsue - 4-17-2014 at 10:31 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by dasubergeek
Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
I think the extra restrictions placed on "trusted travelers" in the SENTRI lanes are ridiculous. Anyone crossing in the regular lanes can bring those same items if they are not on the restricted list. :?::?:


The point is to be able to clear you through quickly. If they have to stop and look at all the stuff everyone is bringing back, there's no point in the SENTRI line.

Any SENTRI holder who's got too much stuff for SENTRI can use the Ready Lane. That's what I do when I have a bunch of stuff I'm bringing home.


This is good to know, since I'll be moving back to San Diego next month, and plan to load my minivan up to the top of the inside with my stuff. I have Sentri now, but will leave very early and go through the regular lanes.

bajalearner - 4-17-2014 at 10:45 AM

Leaving very early on a weekday may not be good. On Sat or Sunday early might be good.

tjsue - 4-17-2014 at 10:51 AM

After I get loaded, I'll be checking the border traffic website for times. Before I had my Sentri, there were times that I had to leave at 3am to get where I needed to go. There are no good times to leave early taking the regular lanes, so I'll be loaded as loaded as I can get it, to make as few trips as possible.

When I moved to Tijuana, I made three trips per week for a month with everything that I could carry myself, plus a trip with the movers. I've downsized quite a bit, and am hoping to find some help to load and unload my couch and freezer, so I don't have to hire movers this time.

elgatoloco - 4-17-2014 at 10:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by tjsue
After I get loaded, I'll be checking the border traffic website for times. Before I had my Sentri, there were times that I had to leave at 3am to get where I needed to go. There are no good times to leave early taking the regular lanes, so I'll be loaded as loaded as I can get it, to make as few trips as possible.

When I moved to Tijuana, I made three trips per week for a month with everything that I could carry myself, plus a trip with the movers. I've downsized quite a bit, and am hoping to find some help to load and unload my couch and freezer, so I don't have to hire movers this time.


Use the Ready Lanes with your Sentri card. :saint::dudette:

tjsue - 4-17-2014 at 11:26 AM

I have no idea how to get to the Ready Lanes, I just found out how to get to the Sentri Lanes. If I leave after rush hour, I probably won't have to wait more than an hour in line, plus going through the X-ray machine in secondary.

dasubergeek - 4-17-2014 at 01:40 PM

Last I checked, the way to the Ready Lanes at SY was by going up the Vía Rápida Oriente all the way past the Pueblo Amigo Hotel. Anyone have recent updates?

bajachris - 4-20-2014 at 12:08 AM

We always bring 5 gallon propane tanks back and forth through Sentri. You have to refill them.. Never had a problem. We also have been brining home recyclables because we don't want them to end up in an arroyo. Figured it was the responsible thing to do. Never knew it would be a problem. US companies have to bring their waste home. Seems like the right thing to do.

SlyOnce - 4-22-2014 at 09:48 AM

Just this morning I crossed SENTRI with 3 x 5 gallon gas cans and 1 x 5 gallon water can in the back of my pickup. I also cross and fill up my 30 lb propane tank for the barbeque on the US side. No questions, no problems. I carry fishing gear, sailing gear, over night bags, and so on. Never any problems.

No fruits, vegetables, or pork products! No bananas, not even just the skin in the car.

I cross every day. You get sent to secondary once in a while for a
"compliance check" its not a big deal, it adds about 30 minutes to your day.

All that said, when ever possible, I carry items INSIDE the truck in the jump seat instead of the bed. Don't invite problems.

tjsue - 4-22-2014 at 12:20 PM

I'll be taking the contents of my freezer and refrigerator back with me, but no fruits, vegetables or propane.