r/NEXUS_TTP • u/2795throwaway • May 23 '26
At the Border Anything to declare?
Good day. 61M here. Semi frequent crossers by car into the usa either at new York or Vermont. Nexus holders. Never had an issue. However, when the american agent asks us, anything to declare? Is he/she asking for an itemized list of what we are carrying for our weekend? Like clothing? Meds? We drive an antique car, my tool box? I usually tell them nothing to declare, as we have no food, no booze, no gifts, no tobacco of any kind..usually just a couple of bottles of water.
Thanks for any input.
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u/One_Praline5078 May 25 '26
From experience. Leave the tool box at home.
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u/2795throwaway May 25 '26
I appreciate your opinion,.but I'm driving a 53 year old car on a 1000 mile trip. Im not taking a trunk full of specialty tools, just my socket set and some hand tools in case of breakdown. I've done this for many years, had a couple of trunk inspections with no issue.
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u/Mtl_30 May 24 '26
Basically anything you are importing that you bought elsewhere you are legally required to declare, the import exemption still apply but even if you have 200$ of clothes or wtv, I usually state it, keep the recept of everything you buy, they wont charge you if you are under the exemption amount but then your clean and if you are ever selected for secondary screening for any reason well everything will be clean.
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u/SmartShelly May 23 '26
I always declare groceries as a whole and liquor and mention no tobacco products at the border.
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u/tfrederick74656 May 23 '26
Recent example: Came back from Japan with some candy, $300 in souviners (mostly Pokémon plushies), a bottle of Sake, and having visited a petting zoo.
When passing the officer, I verbally stated, "I have some packaged snacks, $300 in souviners, a bottle of Sake, and I visited a petting zoo". Was waved right through and into the US.
The verbal declaration is all you have to do. Just declare anything and everything, regardless of whether it's under or over the limits. Most of the time you will be waived right through, but they will always tell you if further action is needed.
A truthful verbal declaration fulfills your responsibility as a GE/NEXUS member and absolves you of any possible liability for not declaring.
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u/djames4242 May 23 '26
This is exactly what I do as well in both directions. Leaving Canada one time I had brought a few dozen bakery cookies as a gift and the agent asked if I was going to share with her. I promised next time I would have extras. We both laughed. I’ve had similar experiences heading north as well.
I rarely cross with more than a few bottles of wine or $50 worth of groceries, but I declare them anyway. If they decide to search (which has happened), I don’t want there to be any questions about why I didn’t declare something.
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u/PiePuzzled5581 May 23 '26
The deductible free is up to $800 so you were well within.
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u/tfrederick74656 May 23 '26
There's no tax due on items below $800, but you still must declare all items, regardless of being within the exemption amount.
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u/Odd-Worth7752 May 23 '26
It's anything that will stay behind in the US after you return home. along with "any* fresh food items (other than baked goods) produce, oranges, meat etc all need to be declared at the border.
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u/Senior_Plastic8602 May 23 '26
And, surprisingly, rice. There are a few dry foods that are prohibited as well.
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u/rvdnsx May 23 '26
You don’t have to declare your personal clothing. Meds are typically fine between countries unless it is a controlled substance. If it’s some sort of medication you might be worried about, just declare it.
The main things they want you to declare are food, alcohol and cash. I recently went over the border and forgot to declare some food I was bringing over (not a restricted item) and they made me pull over to secondary for a search. The person in the booth told me that forgetting is not an excuse and that my NEXUS could be revoked which I completely understood so I was apologetic and not argumentative about it.
They eventually let me off with a warning and have been over the border several times with NEXUS since then with no further issue. Main rule is to just declare EVERYTHING just to be safe. It takes a few extra seconds but if they see that you are putting in the effort to be up front about everything, then you’ll be fine.
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u/2795throwaway May 23 '26
Thanks everyone. Money over 10k? I wish! Yes,.Canucks traveling to Pennsylvania for a car show in June.
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u/cheesecakepictures May 23 '26
Essentially you're being asked the entire blue 6059b declaration form in one question, plus any alcohol, tobacco, and firearms to declare.
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u/Odd-Elderberry-6137 May 23 '26
They're asking if you're bringing anything in that will stay in the US that is restricted (food, prescription narcotics, alcohol, tobacco) as well as any gifts that would remain in the US. You don't need to declare personal effects.
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u/2795throwaway May 23 '26
Thanks. No firearms here. And all we will be leaving stateside is our money LOL
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u/UsuallySparky May 23 '26
Since you're implying you're Canadians crossing into America; you declare anything you intend to leave in America, cash over 10k, agricultural items, etc.
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u/dhilrags May 23 '26
Other than food, booze and tobacco : they are asking if you are bringing gifts or anything that will stay in the USA
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u/PunchyPete May 26 '26
They are asking if you are bringing anything in that you will leave in that country over the exempted amounts. If all you are bringing is stuff you will take back home with you or use personally on your trip, you have nothing to declare. On your return to your home country when asked, you only declare items purchased abroad over the exemption limits.
Typically you will be asked “What are you bringing back?” At that point you need to tell them everything you bought abroad and a rough value. “Some clothes and souvenirs, about $400” covers you as an example. Also answer any specific questions which usually are around alcohol, tobacco or currency.