| Pages:
1
2 |
CatCrazyJulie
Junior Nomad
Posts: 57
Registered: 10-7-2006
Location: Morro Bay, CA
Member Is Offline
|
|
How to avoid "secondary inspection" at U.S. border when pulling a trailer?
Hi - Does anyone have suggestions/hints as to the magic answer to give the border crossing guard so that they don't send you to "secondary inspection"
when you're coming back into the U.S. from Baja, pulling a trailer? This last time we had carefully gotten rid of all our produce and eggs, so there
wasn't anything agriculture-wise to worry about. This time we decided to cross at San Ysidro, because last time Tecate had a long back-up; seemed
like San Ysidro wasn't much worse. Yep, about 1.5 hours stop-and-go to get to the crossing (we don't have any of the magic passes yet). The border
guard asked us, "So whaddaya got?" And we said, "Nothing." (thinking "nothing to declare"). And he said, with a smile, "nothing, completely empty,
truck and trailer?" And we said, smiling, knowing that he knew that, of course, it's not going to be completely empty, "yes, nothing."
So he stuck the orange piece of paper under our windshield wiper and sent us to secondary...where we waited...and waited...and waited... watching
what seemed like dozens of government employees standing around doing not very much. We finally had to ask if we could leave the vehicle to use the
restroom (because there are signs saying "do not exit your vehicle until approached by official") (along with the signs saying "everything you say and
do is being recorded"). The guy said, "Is there anything in your pockets?" And watched while we patted all of our pockets, theoretically
demonstrating there wasn't any contraband in them that we were going to dispose in the bathroom. Then we came back to our truck and waited some more.
Anyway, it was another 20-25 minutes before we were out of there (they actually had to take the *padlock* off of a set of gates to let us out).
So....what is the magic answer for the border guard when we are asked, "whaddaya got?" Do we give them an exhaustive list of everything we purchased
in Mexico that we are bringing back: "3 shirts, 3 cans of beer, 2 cans of cola, 1 package of crackers, ......." What? What are we supposed to say?
Or if you have a trailer are you automatically sentenced to secondary inspection purgatory?
The Mexican Army inspections are heavenly compared to the U.S. border secondary inspection station for trailers, simply because they seem to forget
that they have sent you there, and you have to sit, and sit, and sit.....
Can anyone out there save us?:-)
|
|
|
Maron
Nomad
Posts: 458
Registered: 4-14-2014
Member Is Offline
|
|
Have crossed many time in an RV. Secondary each and every time. Would also love a "Majic" answer.
|
|
|
bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
|
|
After years of not being searched, and the last 4 or so of being sent to secondary, I flat-out asked (time before last) what was up with it, because I
purposefully empty my fridge to the bone, etc.... I was told that all RV trailer rigs were now automatically sent there because too many people
'thought' they knew what was and wasn't legal, and it was now blanket policy because of Dept. of Agriculture. And, even though I had told the first
officer it was empty, he gave me the answer anyway. This was in Tecate a few years back; so us RV pullers just have to get used to it, unless you get
lucky and find a 'lapse' in enforcement, according to our wonderful Protectors Of The Realm.
I feel so much safer knowing they're really doing it in the name of protecting me from myself. At least I'm not a black in Ferguson or a resident
American from Hispanic descent living in Phoenix; that'd just be hassling me for no reason. So, we just put our feet in the stirrups and TRY to
relax. The price we pay for freedom.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
|
|
|
mikeymarlin
Junior Nomad
Posts: 94
Registered: 3-17-2014
Member Is Offline
|
|
well, you know what-----your answer of "nothing " was not the truth--
you knew it and so did border agent--- sooooo , next time probably
better to tell ALL that's in the trailer such as dirty clothes, extra gas,
week old tortillas or what you are carrying---lol
|
|
|
55steve
Senior Nomad
Posts: 857
Registered: 4-24-2006
Location: Warner Springs, CA
Member Is Offline
|
|
Towing my boat....yep, EVERY time.
|
|
|
AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6025
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retireded
|
|
Eye contact is important!
This is a small thing, but it may make a difference!
You are going to be profiled at any inspection, US or Mexican. If you are wearing sunglasses, remove them, or switch to clear if they are
prescription. If they can't read your eyes, they may think you are hiding something from them.
Even when I was doing ski patrol first aid and assistance, I could see an immediate improvement in communication with people that needed my help, once
I raised my goggles or sun glasses.
I have never been sent to secondary, or had to open suitcases or ice chests or anything out of reach of my drivers seat.
Edit; This last trip, I was towing a utility trailer. Only once was I asked to remove the tarp, again nothing was gone through. I must have an
honest face, or appear too simple to smuggle anything!
[Edited on 5-27-2015 by AKgringo]
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
|
|
|
Pompano
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8194
Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
Member Is Offline
Mood: Optimistic
|
|
I've lost count long ago of all the trips I've made returning through US customs with trailers, boats, or RV's..certainly in the hundreds. When asked
what's in my rigs, I answer as completely and honestly as I can and thus my crossing is always made much easier. Never a problem...like mikeymarlin
said..better to tell ALL.
We are living in very dangerous times. Does anyone think the border should be just a quick stop 'n go?
Well, you live and learn. Something for you to remember the next time?
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
|
|
|
woody with a view
PITA Nomad
Posts: 15939
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
Member Is Offline
Mood: Everchangin'
|
|
make a list of everything you have. you said you sat in line for over an hour?
amazing that wouldn't be long enough to think it over and generate the list! get up to the gate and hand it to the guy.
|
|
|
Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
|
|
For the first time in countless times of crossing with my truck camper on, I did NOT get a secondary inspection. But it was a very remote border
crossing; at Sonoyta/Lukeville. This was 10 days ago.
I am also a believer in being upfront, COMPLETELY, about what you are carrying and I am a believer in looking them straight in the eye. It's easy to
do if you aren't guilty of anything. We make a list.
And, get this. This last crossing where I didnt get secondario-ed, I declared about two kilos of heirloom tomatoes that I had grown. I was taking them
up to friends on my recent trip north. The CBP website says they can be brought north, AFTER AN INSPECTION OF THEM. I declared them as tomatoes I grow
and said they are "ready for inspection". He said, no problem, keep moving. There was no one in line ahead of me, nor behind me at that location.
I was stunned. It was the first time I hadn't been secondario-ed in my rig in YEARS.
I would say just accept that you will be sent to secondary inspection if you are in anything other than a conventional vehicle.
I will say that once I am in secondary inspection, I get out, open all doors and invite them in. I dont wait for them to come to me, when the
secondary area is crowded with vehicles. Engage them, get them dealing with you. It gets you on your way faster. There doesnt appear to be any
protocol on the order they inspect vehicles, so get yourself to the front of the line.
|
|
|
Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
If you don't have any agri/food, then you can tell: "Nothing but camping stuff that I brought when going in". This is what I'm telling when not
towing or when going through bus/ped line with 2 or 3 big bags.
I agree with others that there is no magic answer when towing something. It appears that most rigs are being send to secondary, no matter what.
[Edited on 5-28-2015 by Alm]
|
|
|
AKgringo
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6025
Registered: 9-20-2014
Location: Anchorage, AK (no mas!)
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retireded
|
|
One more suggestion, don't volunteer information they have not asked for. You are going to be asked a certain amount of questions to gauge your
demeanor. If you have already supplied a lot of info they will just ask for more.
Beside possibly extending the time to get through the gate, they might ask something you didn't think of and may not have an answer for, prompting
more questions.
I try to keep it simple, aboveboard, and truthful with great results so far.
If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!
"Could do better if he tried!" Report card comments from most of my grade school teachers. Sadly, still true!
|
|
|
danaeb
Senior Nomad
Posts: 991
Registered: 11-13-2006
Location: San Diego; El Centenario
Member Is Offline
Mood: groovy
|
|
Just think of the crossing as a lie detector test. They're a lot more experienced than you.
Experience enables you to recognize a mistake every time you repeat it.
|
|
|
Howard
Super Nomad
Posts: 2353
Registered: 11-13-2007
Location: Loreto/Manhattan Beach/Kona
Member Is Offline
Mood: I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.
|
|
Last Saturday I crossed at San Ysidro with a F350 dually with a 11.5 foot cab over and towing a car. I pulled all the way over to the left lanes.
Just as every time before, I expected to go to secondary. Just as I got about 6 cars from the booth some U.S. agents came over to my car (we
apparently were in U.S. turf) and very nicely asked me questions that the agent at the booth would normally ask. He was really interested in what dog
food I had and I told him I had around 1 1/2 days worth so I wouldn't have to go to the store before I got home. He asked if he could go into the
camper, I said no problem but I would have to open one of the slides and he said never mind. I got to the booth was asked a few questions and was
told to go. I was flabbergasted, thank him for not pulling me into secondary and went on my way. I even had South Dakota plates on the truck and
California plates on the tow car.
I was and still amazed as this was a first.
We don't stop playing because we grow old;
we grow old because we stop playing
George Bernard Shaw
|
|
|
ncampion
Super Nomad
Posts: 1238
Registered: 4-15-2006
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
Mood: Retired and Loving it
|
|
Quote: Originally posted by Howard  | Last Saturday I crossed at San Ysidro with a F350 dually with a 11.5 foot cab over and towing a car. I pulled all the way over to the left lanes.
Just as every time before, I expected to go to secondary. Just as I got about 6 cars from the booth some U.S. agents came over to my car (we
apparently were in U.S. turf) and very nicely asked me questions that the agent at the booth would normally ask. He was really interested in what dog
food I had and I told him I had around 1 1/2 days worth so I wouldn't have to go to the store before I got home. He asked if he could go into the
camper, I said no problem but I would have to open one of the slides and he said never mind. I got to the booth was asked a few questions and was
told to go. I was flabbergasted, thank him for not pulling me into secondary and went on my way. I even had South Dakota plates on the truck and
California plates on the tow car.
I was and still amazed as this was a first. |
Howard, I know your are a frequent "crosser" as am I. I also know they have a record of all your crossings on their screen when you pull up to the
gate. I bet you got profiled as a "Low risk" traveler. I'm sometimes amazed at how easy our crossings are probably for the same reason.
Living Large in Loreto. Off-grid and happy.
|
|
|
Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
One other thing - beside being honest, obviously.
Did you say 1.5 hours to get to the border at SY? Sounds almost like old times. Was it a weekend, a Saturday morning maybe?
|
|
|
AndyP
Nomad
Posts: 116
Registered: 12-8-2009
Location: Eugene, OR
Member Is Offline
|
|
At Tecate a few years ago I was driving an overloaded station wagon packed with kayaking and camping gear- I could barely see out the rear view
mirror. The agent asked me if I had anything in the back; I turned around to look and started laughing, and said yeah, I have all kinds of stuff back
there. The guy told me to go on through!
Still not sure what the lesson was there...
|
|
|
CatCrazyJulie
Junior Nomad
Posts: 57
Registered: 10-7-2006
Location: Morro Bay, CA
Member Is Offline
|
|
Thanks, everyone, for all the quick replies! Some additional info in answer to a few of your questions:
- I took my sunglasses off to talk to the border guard; however, Mark forgot to take his off (we'll remember this for the future!). I agree, this is
an important point when first meeting anyone, but especially any kind of law enforcement person.
- Suggestion to make a list ahead of time while waiting in line noted! Actually, we joked about this, and should have gone ahead and done it. The
one item we had a bit of a question about was frozen beef and chicken that was still in the Costco wrapper, unopened, originally purchased in the
U.S., that had made the trip all the way to the East Cape and back.
- We could break the list down by food items, camping items brought from U.S., and "other items purchased in Mexico".
- We made the crossing at San Ysidro on a Tuesday at about 11:00 a.m. (Seriously, last year we were backed up at Tecate for at least an hour; not sure
what day of the week that was.)
- Light bulb going on: this was our first crossing in a new (to us) truck and new trailer! In fact, our trailer still had the sticker, and didn't
even have plates. So the border crossing guard may not have been able to pull up a list of past crossings for us, unless he could cross-reference
with our previous vehicle, in which case our record goes back to 2000, with about one trip per year.
- I'd be hesitant about exiting the vehicle and opening the doors at San Ysidro secondary prior to getting permission, since the signs specifically
say, "Don't exit your vehicle unless...." However, henceforth I think we're going to cross back to the U.S. at Tecate. While we went through
secondary inspection there last year, it's a much smaller area, and less intimidating.
- While we may have had to go through secondary in any case, probably at least part of our mistake was thinking it was okay to go along with what
appeared to be the border guard's "joke" about the empty trailer. I mean, of *course* it wouldn't be empty! So no more joking, play it completely
straight.
- While crossing the border, would it help for Mark to sport something showing his military background? (He retired from a military career last year,
and now has hair grown long enough to wear in a ponytail, has a beard, and wears only Hawaiian shirts.)
Julie
|
|
|
bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
|
|
IT DOESN'T MATTER !!
If you're towing an RV with a fridge, you're going to secondary, folks.
Glasses, confessions, all useless. Tell 'em the truth, and go to secondary, and have a nice wait. Stay in your vehicle, have a snack (legal) and
drink (legal) and expect to be searched.
Welcome back to America.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
|
|
|
Alm
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2729
Registered: 5-10-2011
Member Is Offline
|
|
I'm pretty sure Woody was joking too - led by your "1.5 hour waiting".
|
|
|
monoloco
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6667
Registered: 7-13-2009
Location: Pescadero BCS
Member Is Offline
|
|
Maybe you could try the time honored Mexican way and put a C-note in your passport.
"The future ain't what it used to be"
|
|
|
| Pages:
1
2 |
![[*]](images/xmbforum/default_icon.gif){kind=icon}
