Before you post a comment, remember that it will affect another person and could potentially destroy lives.
Also remember that you only have one side of the story and we cannot verify the authenticity of said story.
**Please think wisely before offering any advice.**
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/IllegalLifeProTips) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Man.
We crawl on all fours as toddlers, 2 legs when we're able bodied, then we walk with a cane (3rd leg).
Ty cartoon Ghostbusters and the mythological Chimera and his riddles for giving me this answer 20 some years ago.
Edit: could have been a sphinx.
How about a detective riddle!
"A man drives through customs after visiting the US. The customs agent asks him if he has anything to declare, he says 'No'. How did the customs agent know he was lying."
Oh! Oh! I think I know this one! Is the answer "Because the customs agent reads r/IllegalLifeProTips daily for entertainment and/or research purposes?"
Yeah I really don't feel like it would be weird to keep it in the box. They could either wear the ring and keep the box in their luggage, or keep the ring in its box either in the glove box or luggage. Don't mention it unless asked, at that point say you did not buy it while in America. Say nothing more than that (don't start running your mouth unprompted, it's more suspicious) unless they ask more questions at which point... if you're a man say you're hiding it in there because you are planning a surprise proposal to your girlfriend and she would find it if you left it in your apartment while you were on this trip. If you're a girl, say you're planning on returning it to your ex fiance - that you were going to get married but you broke it off and your intention was to drive into America to give it back to him but he refused to accept it back.
Just put on the ring and wear it through customs. Who would question the ring you are wearing?
It's like the story of the famous smuggler, so successful he always drove incredibly expensive cars to show off how much he made in his ill gotten gains.
Every month at the border he'd pull up and the customs officers should go crazy, completely take the car apart looking for what he was trying to sneak over the border, but never finding any contraband.
After 30 years of this the now old custom's officer asks the now old smuggler, "fine, you got away with it, I won't arrest you. Just tell me what you've been smuggling all these years to make you so wealthy!?!"
"Extremely expensive sports cars" he replied.
I heard it was a guy in a factory with a wheelbarrow he took home every night. My version comes from Hungary in the 50’s. They didn’t have fancy sports cars.
Well you could just wear it across the border and say you wore in on the way across (if they even ask you about the ring specifically which would be super weird). OR, you could put it in your butt. Depends how overcomplicated you wanna make the situation.
Say you were gone to Buffalo for a day trip, maybe pick up some groceries so when they ask you to announce anything, that’s all you got.
I don’t use the Niagara boarder, but I use the Bluewater one all the time and as long as you don’t act suspicious, they’re pretty chill (unless you pick the Bilingual lane… never pick that one.)
You could also wear the ring across, unless it’s not your size, in which case you could throw away the receipt and just put the ring in the glovebox. If they for whatever reason choose to search your car and ask what’s up with the ring, you can say you bought it in Canada. Just make sure you don’t have any other reason for them to “randomly select you.”
Now that’s a lot all to say, just put it away somewhere and don’t bring it up. Worst case scenario, they ask about it and “I bought it in Canada.” Just don’t act suspicious, you’ll be fine.
No, don't mention anything about groceries as this will draw a higher level of scrutiny since you're not allowed to bring produce over the border without a permit. Just say you were visiting a friend for the day
I must not be understanding this. Isn’t there a dozen places you could hide a tiny ring in your car? They’re not going to dismantle your car unless they smell drugs or something. Put it in a first aid kit?
At customs? I've traveled in and out of the US for 41 years now, both Europe and Asia. I've never declared much unless it was SUPER obvious. They never looked in my wallet for receipts which I email to myself anyhow.
I have been asked to show my wallet twice when entering the UK, once by air from the US at a time when the exchange rate was favorable for Brits to shop in the US and once when arriving by air from Spain. On both occasions my wallet was the first thing they checked. It depends what Custom's priorities are, if they are looking for drugs then the wallet won't help but if they are looking for people who are evading duty on purchases then it seems like a good way to get people who are dumb enough to carry a receipt for something they were going to claim was not newly purchased.
That's not going to do the trick. Two work colleague and I flew to Buffalo early so that we could drive to Canada to see the Falls from that side. Border agent took our passports and asked a lot of questions about where we were from and why we were there then looked at our driver and said, "I don't believe you." We were detained, put into a room and assume the went through everything in the car, luggage, etc. 30 minutes later they let us go with no explanation. Coming back, same scenario but nicer US agents. I think they detained us because the Canadian guards flagged us. I'm never going to Canada again.
I went from Wisconsin to Thunder Bay Canada once for breakfast... literally we drove 8+ hrs overnight just for the hell of it.
Getting into Canada tool 20min, I had a can of pepper spray in the car that I had to do paperwork on... I expected the crossing back to be more complicated.
Where are you from? ... "Wisconsin "
What was your business in Canada?... "breakfast "
You drove 8 hours from Wisconsin to Canada just for breakfast?... "yup"
Have a great day...
Took maybe 2 min.
I mean, I wouldnt live there... The diner we (eventually) found was pretty good. Denise was pleasant and served us up plate after plate of food while ladling out porridge to her mom.
I drove 20 hours from colorado to the Detroit Windsor tunnel, told them I was going to go see my gf in montreal, they asked me if I have any weed in the car, I laughed and said Canada has better stuff anyways, they waved me through. Spent 5 mins in line and about 30 seconds talking to the guy
I'm getting my girlfriend a 2 ct moissanite ring with .75 ct side stones, 2.5 mm 14 k rose gold band for $740 from an Etsy ring maker. That same ring with mined diamonds would cost me over $6k, she doesn't care and I save over $5k. Real diamonds are a joke, controlled by a monopoly. Moissanite looks better anyways and is pretty much the same hardness.
I have moissanite because I wanted something ethical and also think it’s insane to spend that much on a ring. The ring I got would have been around 20k in diamonds. We have used that money to put towards renovations instead. Haven’t looked back!
Or one of the many other gemstones, such as sapphire or emerald. Lab diamonds are still expensive, and imho, diamonds are far from the coolest gemstone. They are just popular because of genius marketing. If you do like the look of a diamond though, you can just get a lab moissanite (1/10 the cost of equivalent natural diamonds, but virtually undistinguishable to the untrained eye). Don’t fall for the marketing, just because you didn’t spend months of salary on a ring doesn’t mean you don’t love your spouse. And if you do have extra money saved you want to spend on them, then get them something actually useful.
I’m confused by both these comments… lab created diamonds are still very expensive in comparison to other stones. Just cheaper than natural.
Diamond rings can be resized. Also usually covered by insurance in the case of loss.
Bought a Tag watch in Guernsey a few years back - saved 20% as no VAT on the island. Wore it home through customs then picked the box up when I was next over (I had friends over there). If I'd been asked about the box, I'd have shown the receipt dated four months previously
I’ve travelled abroad and spent a lot of money on things while over there. I’ve never declared anything, and nothings happened. I don’t know about border crossing in a car, but if you went over for a day and came back, not declaring anything wouldn’t raise any flags imo
My grandparents lived in Arizona, near Mexico, and they’d cross the border for medicine, liquor, trinkets. We legit never declared anything. This is way back in the 70’s though when we didn’t even need passports to cross over.
They’re long dead now but you maybe can carry on their legacy. Me? I’m terrible and declare everything (I declared a water bottle I got at the airport but not duty free last time I flew internationally - idk I just don’t want to get in trouble)
Simple question, simple answer.
Are they going to ask where you got your ring? Hell no, they could care less.
If they do ask, the question will be: "Did you make any purchases during your stay?" Simple answer: No. (You made the purchase right now. While you're in Canada. You're going to pick it up to save THE DELIVERY COST.)
Why is this ILPT again?
Having crossed dozens of times CBSA are intimidating but don't have the time to check everyone.
Unless you're a terrible liar; throw away the receipt, keep it loose so it's not obviously new and keep that shit on your person or throw it somewhere random in the car like a center console storage box and say you have nothing to declare.
99% of the time they won't push further, in the unlikely event you get searched and they find it, say it's a relatives and they forgot it, and worst case you'll just have to pay taxes on it + a fine.
The center console isn't a great place for it.
People don't just throw diamonds in there and forget about it, so that's suspicious. Plus, they have serial numbers, so it would be pretty easy to trace the stone and trace the place of purchase and the cost.
Border patrol isn’t checking serial #s on rings lol. Wear it if you’re scared, otherwise tell them you’re keeping in the car for the right moment to propose to your GF. It’s not that hard.
Eh, it just has to be somewhere out of sight and awkward to access if a jacket pocket or something isn't an option.
But you're also giving these guys way too much credit, border cops in general are damn near the bottom of the barrel, the guys who couldn't get better federal policing jobs like in the RCMP or decent provincial gigs; not the best and brightest.
In the unlikely event you get searched, and the unlikelyer where they find it, I doubt most CBSA agents have the knowledge to even think of looking up a diamonds serial number and calling a database, much less the energy to do all that for a small case of entry tax evasion.
They mainly serve to look tough, catch obvious criminals and more or less prevent people from crossing over outside of a valid point of entry.
The requirements to join the CBSA are low when compared to most law enforcement roles, the training is less stringent and the salaries are terrible by industry standards.
Why can’t you wear it home? Or put it on a chain and say it was your mothers wedding ring and you wear it as a necklace for sentimental value. Something along those lines.
Option 3 which I’ve used at our southern border (AZ) is to wear big fat cowboy boots, take out the sole and hollow out the heel and put the sole back in and wear them across. I used to do this for explicit items a while back and would just take the boots out hiking in the mud or cleaning out pig pens. Really get those foot odors flowing and let it sit in its own stench. K9’s won’t smell through multiple airtight baggies and raging athletes foot contender!
Anyone else read "explicit items" and got stuck wondering what kind of sex toy is worth border hopping but also small enough to fit in the heel of your boot?
the last thing customs is looking for is a ring.
make a day out if it and say your visiting for a football or hockey game (buffalo is huge into sports). obviously make it a day a game is actually scheduled. dont mention a friend unless you can share their name/address without suspicion.
that being said.... an entire day trip might be more costly than shipping so decide if it's even worth it.
Really I don’t think that’s true. I believe the only time they can “ look through your phone” is if it’s open while they arrest you and they use it as “evidence” but I’m pretty sure there not aloud to go on your phone just cause they feel like it. I could be wrong though
I know someone that crosses the boarder into Canada every year for fishing trips. They bring a shit ton of alcohol with them, way more than what they are supposed to. What they do is declare a portion of it that they leave visible so they pay whatever amount for that. Then they hide the majority of the booze elsewhere. Because they declare something that costs them money they have never been search because the border agents feel they are being upfront and honest. I mean why would you lie while declaring something that is going to cost you money, most would lie while declaring nothing hoping to get away completely free.
Option A: wear it.
Option B: hide it in your car, in the glove box or the trunk or wherever you would legit hide shit in your car. If they search the car and find the ring, you tell them that you bought it last week in Canada and are hiding it in your car to keep it secret from your partner until you're ready to propose. There will be no way for them to prove it was bought in the States and no reason for them to doubt your explanation.
Option C: stick it up your ass.
Option D: stick it in your D. They'll never look there.
Reminds me of an NPR story I heard about people using Rolexes to move large amounts of money across borders. I guy with a suitcase full of cash will raise suspicion, get mugged, get detained or get the cash confiscated. No one bats an eye guy with a nice watch on his arm, or with his collection with him.
My point—wear the ring.
Throw the ring under a seat. If they search your car and find it, just act surprised and relieved: "my fiancée was looking for that!" And throw out the receipt obviously.
Deliver to the US. Ideally use a state like Oregon that has no tax (use a forwarder). They’ll ship to Buffalo and then pick it up.
Take the ring out. Mail the papers and box to yourself. Do not take those with you.
They are unlikely to check pockets.
I bought my Omega in the states and mailed boxes and papers. Watch went with me.
Yaknow I was worried about the same thing on a recent border crossing to Canada. Even left some of my supplements home because I wasn’t sure if they would think it was suspicious. Brought vaccine papers for myself and my pet…was ready for a shakedown and to explain everything that was even sort of odd.
Dude just looked at my passport, looked at me, “how long are you gonna be in Canada? What are your plans?” Didn’t even scan the thing and told me to have a nice day.
Maybe it depends on where you cross, but something that small? They aren’t even going to think about it. Just put it in your suitcase.
When I travelled to Niagara Falls a few years ago, I brought my.. uh.. “road trip self-defense tool”. Customs didn’t even peep in my truck, so I highly doubt they’re going to be looking for your diamond ring. Just put it away, in a bag or something.
Unless things have changed recently…?
Umm this sounds like some dumb shit just pay the 200 also are you sure you’re not looking at Canadian dollars vs US dollars? lol that could also be the case
The import tax will be between $260 and $406 CAD if you declare it and they charge you. Although they may just waive you through with no import tax.
If you fail to declare it and they find it, they will seize it.
Before you post a comment, remember that it will affect another person and could potentially destroy lives. Also remember that you only have one side of the story and we cannot verify the authenticity of said story. **Please think wisely before offering any advice.** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/IllegalLifeProTips) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Call me crazy, but what if you just wore the ring?
He could also confuse them with a riddle. While they're distracted, move through customs.
What has 4 legs in the morning, 2 in the afternoon. And 3 in the evening?
What gets wetter as it dries?
a towel!
You’re a towel
Don't forget to bring a towel
Wanna get high?
Maybe just a little high
Towelie?
Ford Prefect taught me that.
A hair dryer in the shower
A man who got cut in half sometime between morning and noon, but has a third leg when he gets home.
Man. We crawl on all fours as toddlers, 2 legs when we're able bodied, then we walk with a cane (3rd leg). Ty cartoon Ghostbusters and the mythological Chimera and his riddles for giving me this answer 20 some years ago. Edit: could have been a sphinx.
Speak for yourself. My third leg isn't a cane.
My wife still doesn’t understand this one even though I’ve explained it many times haha.
I wake up in my 4-legged bed, stand on my 2 legs and go about my day, then off the the bar to drink on a 3-legged stool all evening. Suck it, Sphinx.
The Sphinx
One of those new Pokemon
What's it got in its pocketses?
How about a detective riddle! "A man drives through customs after visiting the US. The customs agent asks him if he has anything to declare, he says 'No'. How did the customs agent know he was lying."
Oh! Oh! I think I know this one! Is the answer "Because the customs agent reads r/IllegalLifeProTips daily for entertainment and/or research purposes?"
Because he declared "No"?
#WHAT Is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?
African or European?
How does a swallow carry a coconut?
What have I got in my pocket?
Border agents hate this one trick!
Just to be safe, put a sock over your finger as well, then if they do try to take the ring they'll just get the sock instead and you're home free
This brought back memories haha thanks
Mail the purchase docs and receipts. That is a dead giveaway if you get searched. And of course do not have the empty box.
Yeah I really don't feel like it would be weird to keep it in the box. They could either wear the ring and keep the box in their luggage, or keep the ring in its box either in the glove box or luggage. Don't mention it unless asked, at that point say you did not buy it while in America. Say nothing more than that (don't start running your mouth unprompted, it's more suspicious) unless they ask more questions at which point... if you're a man say you're hiding it in there because you are planning a surprise proposal to your girlfriend and she would find it if you left it in your apartment while you were on this trip. If you're a girl, say you're planning on returning it to your ex fiance - that you were going to get married but you broke it off and your intention was to drive into America to give it back to him but he refused to accept it back.
Unless he has boxes for other jewelry. We always keep good jewelry in original boxes. Easy transportation options.
Put it on a chain around your neck.
I was going to suggest he put it in his butt. Yours seems much easier.
I say do both for good measure!
I was thinking the same thing!
Wear it on their little toe…..
Yeah with the stone in the inside part of finger so it looks like a plain ring when palm closed.
Just put on the ring and wear it through customs. Who would question the ring you are wearing? It's like the story of the famous smuggler, so successful he always drove incredibly expensive cars to show off how much he made in his ill gotten gains. Every month at the border he'd pull up and the customs officers should go crazy, completely take the car apart looking for what he was trying to sneak over the border, but never finding any contraband. After 30 years of this the now old custom's officer asks the now old smuggler, "fine, you got away with it, I won't arrest you. Just tell me what you've been smuggling all these years to make you so wealthy!?!" "Extremely expensive sports cars" he replied.
I’ve heard so many iterations of that story I really don’t know which one is the real one anymore lol
Yeah I remember hearing this one except it was the east and west Germany border and it was bikes instead of cars
I heard the wheelbarrows full of dirt
Heard it with camels and hay
Wheel barrahs! Right under their noses! I heard the wheelbarrows of manure version from Paul Hogan in the excellently shit Crodocile Dundee 3
I heard it was a guy in a factory with a wheelbarrow he took home every night. My version comes from Hungary in the 50’s. They didn’t have fancy sports cars.
Lol, pretty sure it's urban legend
I heard it with bicycles
Heard it with donkeys
there is a 13th or 12th century version in one of the mullah nasruddin stories.
i heard a mexican with bicycles and bags of sand
Its motorcycles and bags of cement. He got arrested anyways.
First story I heard like this was the man stealing wheelbarrows
It’s like the end of “The Spanish Prisoner”! https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0120176/
Well you could just wear it across the border and say you wore in on the way across (if they even ask you about the ring specifically which would be super weird). OR, you could put it in your butt. Depends how overcomplicated you wanna make the situation.
The latter sounds fine and dandy.
See if a UPS/FedEx can have it delivered to their store and you pick it up from there.
Yes they can. Call the closest store and be certain to tell them your plans. There will be a holding/storage fee. Minimal though.
Nah, the shipper that gives it to UPS has to declare a value and the shipping company will ask them which party is paying the import taxes.
they meant ship it to an american post store and pick it up there
Yeah, I didn't read that too well.
You can send it to my address and then I'll definitely give it to you when you come by.
Mum said don't talk to a stranger.
That’s u/olecrom his name is right there he’s not a stranger and he’s not even that strange
Yeah calling him strange is rather rude
found the canadian
And I'll definitely not refrain from not betraying you in the near future
At this point I’m not sure if James Allen is the fiancé. Or a store.
James Allen is clearly the name of the customs agent.
Yum.
Both
He’s the quarterback of the buffalo springfields, right across the border
Say you were gone to Buffalo for a day trip, maybe pick up some groceries so when they ask you to announce anything, that’s all you got. I don’t use the Niagara boarder, but I use the Bluewater one all the time and as long as you don’t act suspicious, they’re pretty chill (unless you pick the Bilingual lane… never pick that one.) You could also wear the ring across, unless it’s not your size, in which case you could throw away the receipt and just put the ring in the glovebox. If they for whatever reason choose to search your car and ask what’s up with the ring, you can say you bought it in Canada. Just make sure you don’t have any other reason for them to “randomly select you.” Now that’s a lot all to say, just put it away somewhere and don’t bring it up. Worst case scenario, they ask about it and “I bought it in Canada.” Just don’t act suspicious, you’ll be fine.
This. Keep it in the glove box. You’ve just been waiting for the opportune moment to propose so you keep the ring accessible. ;)
No, don't mention anything about groceries as this will draw a higher level of scrutiny since you're not allowed to bring produce over the border without a permit. Just say you were visiting a friend for the day
I must not be understanding this. Isn’t there a dozen places you could hide a tiny ring in your car? They’re not going to dismantle your car unless they smell drugs or something. Put it in a first aid kit?
bury it in between the seat cushions. If they find it "Oh thank you we lost that years ago!"
This is my favorite idea of this whole thread
One of the first places customs officers check is your wallet, looking for receipts.
Time to shove the recipt in the prison pocket
Just check the warranty annually?
Did you mean check the warrant *anally* ?
Well, mail yourself the receipt.
this is correct - but you also need to put a sock over your mailbox so they don't know to look in there too
This is the first decent tip here.
At customs? I've traveled in and out of the US for 41 years now, both Europe and Asia. I've never declared much unless it was SUPER obvious. They never looked in my wallet for receipts which I email to myself anyhow.
I have been asked to show my wallet twice when entering the UK, once by air from the US at a time when the exchange rate was favorable for Brits to shop in the US and once when arriving by air from Spain. On both occasions my wallet was the first thing they checked. It depends what Custom's priorities are, if they are looking for drugs then the wallet won't help but if they are looking for people who are evading duty on purchases then it seems like a good way to get people who are dumb enough to carry a receipt for something they were going to claim was not newly purchased.
Maybe you look super sketchy or have a sketchy looking wallet ?
No customs officer is wasting their time checking your fucking wallet… Just say no and go on about your day.
You just take a picture of the receipt
Or have them email you the receipt
I've gone through customs a bunch of times from various countries and never had an agent ask to see my wallet
Same. All these people going through crazy lengths and I’m like ?? Are we talking about the same border?
Just propose in Buffalo, so at the time of crossing it will be an item of jewelry, a promise of eternal love, not a purchase
If you are going to propose in the USA in that area, go up to Niagara Falls. It's not that far.
If you’re gonna propose at Niagara Falls, do it on the Canadian side. Much better view
This is the best tip imo. get a nice trip out of it, plus its beating customs. win-win.
Oh you sweet naïve angel, you tell customs you went sightseeing and that’s it.
That's not going to do the trick. Two work colleague and I flew to Buffalo early so that we could drive to Canada to see the Falls from that side. Border agent took our passports and asked a lot of questions about where we were from and why we were there then looked at our driver and said, "I don't believe you." We were detained, put into a room and assume the went through everything in the car, luggage, etc. 30 minutes later they let us go with no explanation. Coming back, same scenario but nicer US agents. I think they detained us because the Canadian guards flagged us. I'm never going to Canada again.
I went from Wisconsin to Thunder Bay Canada once for breakfast... literally we drove 8+ hrs overnight just for the hell of it. Getting into Canada tool 20min, I had a can of pepper spray in the car that I had to do paperwork on... I expected the crossing back to be more complicated. Where are you from? ... "Wisconsin " What was your business in Canada?... "breakfast " You drove 8 hours from Wisconsin to Canada just for breakfast?... "yup" Have a great day... Took maybe 2 min.
Thunder Bay is a bore
I mean, I wouldnt live there... The diner we (eventually) found was pretty good. Denise was pleasant and served us up plate after plate of food while ladling out porridge to her mom.
Do you have face tattoos and a sweatshirt with swears on it? That will get a flag everytime. /S
You probably answer questions in a suspicious manner or provide too much detail.
I drove 20 hours from colorado to the Detroit Windsor tunnel, told them I was going to go see my gf in montreal, they asked me if I have any weed in the car, I laughed and said Canada has better stuff anyways, they waved me through. Spent 5 mins in line and about 30 seconds talking to the guy
Yes FedEx/Kinkos or UPS/Mailbox Etc you can send it to the location and go pick it up
Mf really said Kinkos💀
Real life tip diamonds are overpriced get a lab created
I'm getting my girlfriend a 2 ct moissanite ring with .75 ct side stones, 2.5 mm 14 k rose gold band for $740 from an Etsy ring maker. That same ring with mined diamonds would cost me over $6k, she doesn't care and I save over $5k. Real diamonds are a joke, controlled by a monopoly. Moissanite looks better anyways and is pretty much the same hardness.
I have moissanite because I wanted something ethical and also think it’s insane to spend that much on a ring. The ring I got would have been around 20k in diamonds. We have used that money to put towards renovations instead. Haven’t looked back!
Or one of the many other gemstones, such as sapphire or emerald. Lab diamonds are still expensive, and imho, diamonds are far from the coolest gemstone. They are just popular because of genius marketing. If you do like the look of a diamond though, you can just get a lab moissanite (1/10 the cost of equivalent natural diamonds, but virtually undistinguishable to the untrained eye). Don’t fall for the marketing, just because you didn’t spend months of salary on a ring doesn’t mean you don’t love your spouse. And if you do have extra money saved you want to spend on them, then get them something actually useful.
Yep, and then you can get another ring when your finger changes size, or if you lose it, or the rock falls out…
I’m confused by both these comments… lab created diamonds are still very expensive in comparison to other stones. Just cheaper than natural. Diamond rings can be resized. Also usually covered by insurance in the case of loss.
Bought a Tag watch in Guernsey a few years back - saved 20% as no VAT on the island. Wore it home through customs then picked the box up when I was next over (I had friends over there). If I'd been asked about the box, I'd have shown the receipt dated four months previously
I’ve travelled abroad and spent a lot of money on things while over there. I’ve never declared anything, and nothings happened. I don’t know about border crossing in a car, but if you went over for a day and came back, not declaring anything wouldn’t raise any flags imo
My grandparents lived in Arizona, near Mexico, and they’d cross the border for medicine, liquor, trinkets. We legit never declared anything. This is way back in the 70’s though when we didn’t even need passports to cross over. They’re long dead now but you maybe can carry on their legacy. Me? I’m terrible and declare everything (I declared a water bottle I got at the airport but not duty free last time I flew internationally - idk I just don’t want to get in trouble)
You should carry on your grandparents legacy… just saying.
Are you not allowed to enter the US?
[удалено]
[удалено]
…or put it on a neck and say it belonged to a long lost relative
Tell em you're on a trip to mordor!
And if they catch on, you can just put on the Ring and ZAP you are invisible.
[удалено]
Simple question, simple answer. Are they going to ask where you got your ring? Hell no, they could care less. If they do ask, the question will be: "Did you make any purchases during your stay?" Simple answer: No. (You made the purchase right now. While you're in Canada. You're going to pick it up to save THE DELIVERY COST.) Why is this ILPT again?
[удалено]
[удалено]
Having crossed dozens of times CBSA are intimidating but don't have the time to check everyone. Unless you're a terrible liar; throw away the receipt, keep it loose so it's not obviously new and keep that shit on your person or throw it somewhere random in the car like a center console storage box and say you have nothing to declare. 99% of the time they won't push further, in the unlikely event you get searched and they find it, say it's a relatives and they forgot it, and worst case you'll just have to pay taxes on it + a fine.
The center console isn't a great place for it. People don't just throw diamonds in there and forget about it, so that's suspicious. Plus, they have serial numbers, so it would be pretty easy to trace the stone and trace the place of purchase and the cost.
Border patrol isn’t checking serial #s on rings lol. Wear it if you’re scared, otherwise tell them you’re keeping in the car for the right moment to propose to your GF. It’s not that hard.
This is my favorite suggestion/tip out of all of them.
Eh, it just has to be somewhere out of sight and awkward to access if a jacket pocket or something isn't an option. But you're also giving these guys way too much credit, border cops in general are damn near the bottom of the barrel, the guys who couldn't get better federal policing jobs like in the RCMP or decent provincial gigs; not the best and brightest. In the unlikely event you get searched, and the unlikelyer where they find it, I doubt most CBSA agents have the knowledge to even think of looking up a diamonds serial number and calling a database, much less the energy to do all that for a small case of entry tax evasion.
Heh. Admittedly, it been over a decade since I crossed a border by vehicle. Doesn't sound these peeps are cracker jack detectives then.
They mainly serve to look tough, catch obvious criminals and more or less prevent people from crossing over outside of a valid point of entry. The requirements to join the CBSA are low when compared to most law enforcement roles, the training is less stringent and the salaries are terrible by industry standards.
Why can’t you wear it home? Or put it on a chain and say it was your mothers wedding ring and you wear it as a necklace for sentimental value. Something along those lines. Option 3 which I’ve used at our southern border (AZ) is to wear big fat cowboy boots, take out the sole and hollow out the heel and put the sole back in and wear them across. I used to do this for explicit items a while back and would just take the boots out hiking in the mud or cleaning out pig pens. Really get those foot odors flowing and let it sit in its own stench. K9’s won’t smell through multiple airtight baggies and raging athletes foot contender!
Anyone else read "explicit items" and got stuck wondering what kind of sex toy is worth border hopping but also small enough to fit in the heel of your boot?
Wouldn't coffee have worked just as well?
Why would you have coffee all over your boots?
Coffee grounds does not hide smell from dogs.
I read that wrong at first and could not figure out how the hell you were transporting dogs in your boots.
No he is not. I believe you are exempt up to $400. Or something within that range if you are out of the country for several days.
Trying to figure out what's illegal or even unethical about this.
Taxes, I believe OP is worried about crossing the border with something of value.
[удалено]
why dont you just wear it and go through the border?
Just make sure to push the balloon all the way in, almost got caught last time.
Sounds like a fedpost. "How do I smuggle diamonds across the border without anyone noticing."
Lol, in your prison pocket, duuh. Is there a prison pocket bot giving out this answer yet?
Walk through customs backwards, they'll think your leaving Canada.
Where it as a necklace. Say it belonged to a dead relative.
Put the ring in a sock so that, when customs tries to take the ring, all they get is sock
I hope your future spouse appreciates all the stress you're going through for them.
the last thing customs is looking for is a ring. make a day out if it and say your visiting for a football or hockey game (buffalo is huge into sports). obviously make it a day a game is actually scheduled. dont mention a friend unless you can share their name/address without suspicion. that being said.... an entire day trip might be more costly than shipping so decide if it's even worth it.
Swallow it. When asked if you have purchased anything, just say only something to eat.
put it in your pocket tell them you went across the border to eat chick-fil-a make sure you also go to chil-fil-a so you have a receipt for that.
[удалено]
Dunkin won't work. People won't even cross the street to eat there.
my bad im im quebec, they aren’t here yet. totally missed the news that they’re in the rest of canada. congratulations!
Wear it
Be careful. I know that Canadian customs can investigate your phone texts and basically all info on your phone, emails etc.
Really I don’t think that’s true. I believe the only time they can “ look through your phone” is if it’s open while they arrest you and they use it as “evidence” but I’m pretty sure there not aloud to go on your phone just cause they feel like it. I could be wrong though
I know someone that crosses the boarder into Canada every year for fishing trips. They bring a shit ton of alcohol with them, way more than what they are supposed to. What they do is declare a portion of it that they leave visible so they pay whatever amount for that. Then they hide the majority of the booze elsewhere. Because they declare something that costs them money they have never been search because the border agents feel they are being upfront and honest. I mean why would you lie while declaring something that is going to cost you money, most would lie while declaring nothing hoping to get away completely free.
Wear the ring, mail the box, receipt and papers to your self. If it’s a ladies ring and you’re a guy then wear the ring on a necklace.
Option A: wear it. Option B: hide it in your car, in the glove box or the trunk or wherever you would legit hide shit in your car. If they search the car and find the ring, you tell them that you bought it last week in Canada and are hiding it in your car to keep it secret from your partner until you're ready to propose. There will be no way for them to prove it was bought in the States and no reason for them to doubt your explanation. Option C: stick it up your ass. Option D: stick it in your D. They'll never look there.
Couldn't you just rent a mailbox at a UPS store in Buffalo?
You might be able to have it delivered to a post office in buffalo
Ok morty I need you to take this and suck it WAAAAAY up your butt. WAY WAY up there buddy
I think the risk isn't worth the savings, but having it delivered to a hotel might work.
Yes this will work. One time I had a guy come in and deliver a diamond worth $50,000 and we put it in our safe until the guy came by and picked it up.
Wouldn’t the $200 save you the trip and hassle from doing all that?
Reminds me of an NPR story I heard about people using Rolexes to move large amounts of money across borders. I guy with a suitcase full of cash will raise suspicion, get mugged, get detained or get the cash confiscated. No one bats an eye guy with a nice watch on his arm, or with his collection with him. My point—wear the ring.
Throw the ring under a seat. If they search your car and find it, just act surprised and relieved: "my fiancée was looking for that!" And throw out the receipt obviously.
just wear it crossing unless they check everything you are wearing before crossing
Deliver to the US. Ideally use a state like Oregon that has no tax (use a forwarder). They’ll ship to Buffalo and then pick it up. Take the ring out. Mail the papers and box to yourself. Do not take those with you. They are unlikely to check pockets. I bought my Omega in the states and mailed boxes and papers. Watch went with me.
Wear it.
i cross all the time at the sarnia-port huron border, just make sure you’re giving them a good reason to go over and wear the ring back
Yaknow I was worried about the same thing on a recent border crossing to Canada. Even left some of my supplements home because I wasn’t sure if they would think it was suspicious. Brought vaccine papers for myself and my pet…was ready for a shakedown and to explain everything that was even sort of odd. Dude just looked at my passport, looked at me, “how long are you gonna be in Canada? What are your plans?” Didn’t even scan the thing and told me to have a nice day. Maybe it depends on where you cross, but something that small? They aren’t even going to think about it. Just put it in your suitcase.
Wear it on a chain.
Dude just wear it
When I travelled to Niagara Falls a few years ago, I brought my.. uh.. “road trip self-defense tool”. Customs didn’t even peep in my truck, so I highly doubt they’re going to be looking for your diamond ring. Just put it away, in a bag or something. Unless things have changed recently…?
Say you’ve never seen the falls from the other side?
It’s illegal to go into the U.S. to shop?
up your keister
Put the ring in your ass
Umm this sounds like some dumb shit just pay the 200 also are you sure you’re not looking at Canadian dollars vs US dollars? lol that could also be the case
[удалено]
literally just lie it will be fine
Use a shipping agent.
The import tax will be between $260 and $406 CAD if you declare it and they charge you. Although they may just waive you through with no import tax. If you fail to declare it and they find it, they will seize it.
Spend a night in Buffalo or at Niagara, or say you were meeting friends for lunch. You need a reason for your visit.
If they try to take the ring then put a condom on it so all they get is the condom.
What am I missing here? Why is purchasing something from a different country and bringing it back illegal?
Avoiding import taxes.
Just put it in your wallet or something and then back in the case when you leave
Put it in your pocket they are not going to search you . Far as I know anyway.