Crossing Border at Fort Francis Update

Just posted from Slate Falls Outfitters:

Slate Falls Outposts just posted this on their Facebook:

Slate Falls Outposts Fly-In Fishing
13h ·
We have some great news!!
NOTO was pleased to confirm this afternoon with the Director General of CBSA through TIAC and CBSA at the Fort Frances border that tariffs will NOT be applied to personal items including consumable items brought into Canada by non-resident visitors. As long as the amount of grocery items is “appropriate for their needs and consistent with the purpose, nature and duration of their intended stay in Canada” no tariffs will be applied on USA products.
See https://inspection.canada.ca/…/personal-use-exemption for specific details.
Food limits will continue to apply as always for dairy and meat products as set out by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Limits can be found here: https://inspection.canada.ca/…/personal-use-exemption

That’s great news. I saw that Info. as well. I kind of thought it was going to all blow over and get revised quickly. Glad calmer heads prevailed

Yeah, other than the guy who’s business up there relies on us being able to cross easily, it wasn’t to over blown.

big_g wrote:

Yeah, other than the guy who’s business up there relies on us being able to cross easily, it wasn’t to over blown

Was that guys business ever effected by this? What was said to be going to happen never did according to the people who crossed the border since the original Information was posted. Now had all the hassle that was talked about ever really happened, I’d agree it wasn’t to over blown, but it never happened that I’m aware of.

fishthumper wrote:

Now had all the hassle that was talked about ever really happened, I’d agree it wasn’t to over blown, but it never happened that I’m aware of.

I dont know anyone personally that it happened to, but I read claims and third hand stories of people claiming it did. I am beginning to doubt that it ever happened in the first place. Who would ever think that a fisherman would exaggerate anything?

CaptainMusky wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>
Now had all the hassle that was talked about ever really happened, I’d agree it wasn’t to over blown, but it never happened that I’m aware of.

I dont know anyone personally that it happened to, but I read claims and third hand stories of people claiming it did. I am beginning to doubt that it ever happened in the first place. Who would ever think that a fisherman would exaggerate anything?

got that right!!

So, my friend got back last Friday from Ontario. Crossed at Fort Frances on the way into Ontario.
He had a truck and open trailer w two snowmobiles. The usual questions, waved them through.
Their companions, next truck back, closed snowmobile trailer, searched completely, paid duty on some groceries and gas they had brought with them.

I just got back last nite. Went across Monday morning. Usual questions, did not ask about the tubs in the bed of the truck, no duty on the food stuffs we said we had ( we indicated we were still headed to the grocery store so……)
My friend had no passport, just his Wisconsin enhanced ID ( the one with the star in the upper right corner – same on I have but I had my passport)
My sister and husband ( whose place it is and they are there at least once or twice per month all year) got stopped, searched and paid duty of $125.00

My thoughts, random actions depending on mood or some other factor we are not aware of. My vehicle and the one that my sister was in both talked to the same agent about 3 hours apart.

Fishing was decent. Lots of big walleyes – my biggest was 28″ . North Arm of Rainy. Crappie bite was slow for us. Walleyes, white jig heads with red eye seemed most attractive and I had a small blade with treble hook trailer and white skirt with the little bb’s in it. THis one only mine has a white skirt.
16 FOW About 6oo yards from the river outlet. They were heading up into it.

Did not attach the first time
Northland buckshot BRFS2 – 20 Flutter spoon

Image address below

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Umy wrote:

My thoughts, random actions depending on mood or some other factor we are not aware of. My vehicle and the one that my sister was in both talked to the same agent about 3 hours apart.

Nothing new on this. We’ve had the same thing happen in the 10-12 years I’ve been going to Canada. Canadian friends say its the same on the US border side. Both sides have always did random stops and search.

We’ve noticed this too. In all the years we’ve been going up there we’ve only had to go in to pay duty on our extra beer once. Many times we’ve far exceeded the 1 case per person rule and we’re yo front and honest about it and they usually just say thinks, have a good trip.

I have been going to Ontario thru Ft Francis since 1970s and cannot recall a single time being searched. Going back thru US customs a different story.

We use the Pembina / Emerson crossing on our trips. The last few years we’ve had to do the boat livewell inspection most every crossing. If they are set up, all boats are being inspected. A few times we have been required to stop inside. Usually just a few questions to see if our stories match and we are on our way. To be honest I’m not sure we have ever had a auto or boat search done. Never had to pay Duty on anything. Had a few others who have been following us had a quick search done. I’m a bit surprised they don’t stop and search more people than they do.

Sylvanboat wrote:

I have been going to Ontario thru Ft Francis since 1970s and cannot recall a single time being searched. Going back thru US customs a different story.

My experience as well coming into the U.S. And, it’s been dozens of entry points from Washington to Minnesota. I can always expect a more thorough interrogation coming into the U.S. It even predated 9/11 for me.

AK GUy – that’s funny – my experiences have been EXACTLY the opposite. But my only experience here is in Minnesota, not as broad as yours.

AK Guy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Sylvanboat wrote:</div>
I have been going to Ontario thru Ft Francis since 1970s and cannot recall a single time being searched. Going back thru US customs a different story.

My experience as well coming into the U.S. And, it’s been dozens of entry points from Washington to Minnesota. I can always expect a more thorough interrogation coming into the U.S. It even predated 9/11 for me.

I’ve always gotten the “Show me your papers!” treatment on the American side. Going to Canada has typically been a “Where are you from, have any guns, booze or smokes?” type of deal.

AK Guy wrote:

My experience as well coming into the U.S. And, it’s been dozens of entry points from Washington to Minnesota. I can always expect a more thorough interrogation coming into the U.S. It even predated 9/11 for me.

blackbay wrote:

I’ve always gotten the “Show me your papers!” treatment on the American side. Going to Canada has typically been a “Where are you from, have any guns, booze or smokes?” type of deal.

sounds like our border security is exactly where it needs to be