BajaNomad - Sentri - Adding a vehicle

Sentri - Adding a vehicle

Bluto - 3-8-2016 at 11:20 AM

Has anyone added a vehicle recently in Sentri?

I just entered my new vehicle information today in Goes but was curious to know if the processing time had improved since they changed the vehicle inspection to no longer required.

willardguy - 3-8-2016 at 11:25 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bluto

Has anyone added a vehicle recently in Sentri?

I just entered my new vehicle information today in Goes but was curious to know if the processing time had improved since they changed the vehicle inspection to no longer required.

you still get a vehicle inspection, they'll just pull you over to the side and do it on one of first few crossings.

Bluto - 3-8-2016 at 01:44 PM

Thanks for the reply, hopefully it's not months...

villafontana - 3-9-2016 at 04:09 PM

Willardguy, i add my vehicle thru the goes system, and i receive a letter this morning that ive been approve to use sentri program. Ive been a member for the 15 years, but it doesnt say anything about my vehicle. Do u have an insight abouth this? did they send me the wrong letter of approval? thanx in advance.

BigBearRider - 3-9-2016 at 04:13 PM

I got the same letter when I added a second vehicle late last year.

villafontana - 3-9-2016 at 04:38 PM

But it doesnt say much. What should i do next? In the past they required you to take your car to the inspection, and then they install the transponder. But now its not necesary to take it so they say. What do i do next?

willardguy - 3-9-2016 at 04:57 PM

'you still get a vehicle inspection, they'll just pull you over to the side and do it on one of first few crossings.'

well I may have misspoke, I do know this is true of first time sentri users, told to my daughter 3 weeks ago at interview......it may be different for users just ADDING a vehicle?

villafontana - 3-9-2016 at 05:24 PM

yeah, my letter doesnt say if i can already use the sentri lane without the transponder, or if i can take it thru with out any problems. I dont want to use the lane and when i reach the booth agents will welcome me with their guns drawn! lol

Bluto - 3-10-2016 at 09:33 AM

Quote: Originally posted by villafontana

Willardguy, i add my vehicle thru the goes system, and i receive a letter this morning that ive been approve to use sentri program. Ive been a member for the 15 years, but it doesnt say anything about my vehicle. Do u have an insight abouth this? did they send me the wrong letter of approval? thanx in advance.

How long did it take from when you entered your vehicle into goes to get that letter?

My understanding is that once your vehicle is approved then you can drive it thru the sentri lanes. This is when you will be sent secondary inspection and your vehicle will get the inspection at that point.

BigBearRider - 3-10-2016 at 10:22 AM

There is another thread on here about how the pre-approval inspections were abolished in November. At that time, CBP sent out a letter about the change. It didn't say anything about an inspection occurring at secondary at some point in the future. However, such an inspection would make some sense.

I think it took me about 2 to 4 weeks to get my second vehicle approved after I entered it into GOES.

villafontana - 3-10-2016 at 04:19 PM

Hi Bluto. It took 2 weeks to approve my car. But i dunno if can drive thru sentri lanes without a transponder. The letter of approval doesnt say anything about using the sentrin lane without a transponder.

Hi BigbearRider, did u add your vehicle after such notice that the CBP let know about?

willardguy - 3-10-2016 at 04:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by villafontana

Hi Bluto. It took 2 weeks to approve my car. But i dunno if can drive thru sentri lanes without a transponder. The letter of approval doesnt say anything about using the sentrin lane without a transponder.

Hi BigbearRider, did u add your vehicle after such notice that the CBP let know about?

hmmm, now im confused, I just asked my daughter, she know nothing about a transponder, she just got her card a couple weeks ago. so at what juncture did you get the transponder, at the vehicle inspection??

villafontana - 3-10-2016 at 04:55 PM

Before that notice that BigbearRider talked about, every vehicle that was added to the sentri program it would have to had a transponder before we could use the sentri lanes. That was done in the vehicle pre-inspection appointment. But now they cancelled that inspection, so i dunno if they no longer add that transponder to the vehicle. Now i dunno how does it work. Im confused. I know i can go to the sentri office and ask for advice but right now im busy all day long. Thats why ask u guys for some insight about these new sentri rules concerning the vehicle adding.

BigBearRider - 3-10-2016 at 05:03 PM

Actually, I had my first vehicle inspected a couple of days before they issued the notice stopped doing the pre-inspection appointments. I did not get a transponder. I have used SENTRI without issue.

I added a second vehicle a couple of weeks later. I got approved within a couple of weeks.

I think I called the Otay Mesa SENTRI office and they said the approval notice (which contained the same cryptic approval language re SENTRI generally) I received re my second vehicle was enough and to go ahead and use the SENTRI lane. I have not yet used that vehicle though.

Edit: I just checked my approval notices. Both said "We are pleased to inform you that your U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), SENTRI program membership has been approved. You may use the program as soon as you receive and activate your new SENTRI card."

I was already a Global Entry member, and had that Card. I never received a separate card. I have used SENTRI with the first vehicle I registered without problems.

[Edited on 3-11-2016 by BigBearRider]

willardguy - 3-10-2016 at 05:06 PM

so maybe they did away with transponders??

is it a deal where you hold your card to a reader, like the readylane?

[Edited on 3-11-2016 by willardguy]

villafontana - 3-10-2016 at 05:21 PM

yep. thats the exact letter i got yesterdary. So that means i can use the sentri lane immediately with my new car? who hooo...lol. So no transponders like in the past. They still charge me 42 bucks. Back in the day those 42 dlls were suppose to finance those shiny new transponders. But now where do they go?

haha Thanx guys.

BigBearRider - 3-10-2016 at 05:54 PM

I hold my Global Entry card up to a reader in the SENTRI lane. From what I understand, it never reads. My passport card reads though.

I vaguely remember seeing a white transponder in my buddy's car around 2000. If I recall correctly, his SENTRI had expired and he had a crack in the windshield so he wouldn't pass the inspection. When I had my car inspected, I asked the CBP officer why he was looking for cracks in the windshield but he refused to answer suggesting it was a stupid question.

villafontana - 3-10-2016 at 08:56 PM

I called the Sentri Office. Indeed i can now use the sentri lane. No transponders, no decals, no nothing! yuppie!! thank u all for your help. :bounce:

willardguy - 3-10-2016 at 09:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by villafontana

I called the Sentri Office. Indeed i can now use the sentri lane. No transponders, no decals, no nothing! yuppie!! thank u all for your help. :bounce:

sweet! I wonder what will happen to those with transponders, is there a new card with a chip that will replace em?

villafontana - 3-10-2016 at 09:17 PM

good question Willardguy. Ill let u know my experience tomorrow when i use the sentri lane with these new rules. I think ill be heading to the secondary inspection without any doubt. Hopefully it will be good. I havent been to secondary in a very long time!

gsbotanico - 3-11-2016 at 01:03 PM

Transponders are no longer issued. I still have a decal on my windshield, but I've been told I can take it off. I renewed my Sentri late last year. I just hold the card up to the reader. My previous one worked the same way.

It used to be if you replaced your windshield you had to go in for a new decal. This is no longer necessary. Transponders haven't been issued in a long time. Everyone should have a card with a chip by this time.

More please

paul r - 3-12-2016 at 09:57 PM

Vehicle approved today

Bluto - 4-1-2016 at 08:35 AM

Just wanted to update anyone curious on how long it was taking to add a second vehicle to sentri right now... Almost 4 weeks.

I added the vehicle in GOES on 3/8/16 and it was approved today.

BajaMama - 4-4-2016 at 06:34 AM

We just had our Sentri interviews 4/1. Enrolled my car at the interview, was told that when I cross the border, I can expect to be pulled over to secondary for vehicle inspection. Not necessarily the next time; could happen any random crossing. Stickers or transponders are no longer required. Can't wait to NOT spend hours crossing.....

gsbotanico - 4-4-2016 at 07:16 AM

I keep track of the dates when I get sent into secondary inspection. It turns out that it's about once in two years. I'm always told I've been randomly selected by the computer. Last time I waited almost an hour to clear secondary. There were a lot of Sentri vehicles waiting for inspection and not too many inspectors.

You don't want to get caught with anything illegal. Know the rules, especially concerning alcohol, and declare anything that is legal to cross, even if it means paying duty.

trying to add vehicle

akshadow - 4-4-2016 at 01:59 PM

Was trying to help a friend add a replacement vehicle to sentri. Got into the information, has pass ID ?membership number showing, data shows old velicle, but not a place to add vehicle. What are we missing?
also how to delete old vehicle?
he also now has a passport card in place of a passport.
how to make those changes.

thanks.

tecatero - 4-6-2016 at 04:58 AM

can you add a vehicle with Baja plates ? I have a CA vehicle in Sentri but want to travel nob in my Mexican plated toyota truck...thanks

BigBearRider - 4-6-2016 at 05:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by akshadow

Was trying to help a friend add a replacement vehicle to sentri. Got into the information, has pass ID ?membership number showing, data shows old velicle, but not a place to add vehicle. What are we missing?
also how to delete old vehicle?
he also now has a passport card in place of a passport.
how to make those changes.

thanks.

On the main GOES screen, click "Manage Membership" to go to the next screen to add a vehicle. There, click on the "US Programs" pull down menu and select "Add Vehicle" or "Remove Vehicle" as you wish.

BigBearRider - 4-6-2016 at 05:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by tecatero

can you add a vehicle with Baja plates ? I have a CA vehicle in Sentri but want to travel nob in my Mexican plated toyota truck...thanks

The computer system allows you to identify vehicles registered in Mexico, so I assume you can.

Waiting 6+ Weeks So Far

unomos - 6-30-2016 at 09:03 AM

I had my SENTRI pass, and removed a vehicle then added a new one that I just bought. I submitted May 16th, and still haven't been approved. I've called multiple times, but they say there is nothing they can do and that the application is "processed in Washington". This is extremely frustrating. Anyone know how I can get my application pushed through faster? What does it take 6 weeks for? Especially since they aren't actually inspecting it until I drive across the first time.

Just thought I would share how long it might take. The lady on the phone even slipped saying "up to 12 weeks currently". I'm guessing whoever does the approvals is on a long vacation.

BigBearRider - 6-30-2016 at 03:15 PM

I submitted a third vehicle application on May 3rd. I spoke to Otay Mesa SENTRI this week, and based on the timing info I was given I suspect it will take another couple of weeks for me.

Bluto - 6-30-2016 at 04:29 PM

I think it's just a roll of the dice when it comes to how long it will take. Hopefully it will not be much longer

SFandH - 6-30-2016 at 05:37 PM

DHS is busy these days, San Bernadino, Orlando, etc. Perhaps employees who process SENTRI passes have been reassigned to more important tasks. 4th of July coming up, keep your fingers crossed all goes well.

paul r - 7-1-2016 at 04:30 PM

approved may 3rd, yet no card in the mail yet... no big deal!??!I'll post when it arrives...

paul r - 7-20-2016 at 11:09 AM

... had it wrong... no new card, they update new vehicle info on current card,... we used it yesterday, otay, 20 seconds, in line, 1-2 seconds in booth, off to the races!!!...

12 weeks and STILL waiting

gschroder - 7-30-2016 at 12:51 PM

I submitted my application for a new vehicle to my Sentri account at the end of April and it is still shows as "pending review." I called the Sentri office in SY earlier this month and they said it was taking longer than usual due to a rash of new Sentri applications and that reapplications for Sentri are taking the longest - up to 6 months from the date of submission. Very frustrating!

Finally!

gschroder - 7-30-2016 at 08:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by gschroder

I submitted my application for a new vehicle to my Sentri account at the end of April and it is still shows as "pending review." I called the Sentri office in SY earlier this month and they said it was taking longer than usual due to a rash of new Sentri applications and that reapplications for Sentri are taking the longest - up to 6 months from the date of submission. Very frustrating!

And of course, almost as soon I post this note... I am now as of today approved! I also got the "your Sentri application has been approved" letter so it sounds like starting tomorrow I can start to bring the new car along. But man, 12 weeks?

tecatero - 7-31-2016 at 07:16 AM

Has anyone here on Nomad added a mexican plated vehicle to their Sentri ?? I have my CA truck on there but want to cross on my BCS plated truck , I have see vehicles cross in Sentri with Baja plates before ,,,,,,I think.

Udo - 7-31-2016 at 07:36 AM

Yes, there have been lots of people who have added Mexican plated vehicles to Sentri.

BigBearRider - 8-3-2016 at 08:51 PM

My vehicle add was just approved. 3 months to the day.

koko - 8-10-2016 at 07:02 AM

Just got mine 3 months and 6 days

Ateo - 8-10-2016 at 08:00 AM

And no more vehicle inspections when applying......

koko - 8-24-2016 at 12:35 AM

No inspection, but I did get sent to secondary the first time through. The only question they asked if this the first time through with my new truck

MICK - 8-24-2016 at 07:36 AM

They now just read your licence plate as you go thru. I added my new truck last year. Took about two weeks to get approved then I got a letter saying I can use the sentri lane. No longer using transponders. I have driven thru 20-30 times and have not been pulled into secondary yet, knock on wood, of course I am a very honest looking guy.
Good luck
Mick