Criminal check to canada

If you were finger printed then they will have a record even it was expunged. They may not know what the crime is but they will know you were found guilty of a crime. That is what state of mich told me when I asked why something didnt show up on my report and she said I must not of been finger printed. Then she explains the expunged part.

 

I used to run all of the lower Canadian provinces every year. Sometimes, the Canadian Immigration guys will ask you if you have a record. They check on your answer at times. If you hit the bridge at Windsor at 8:00 AM, or the Peace Bridge at rush hour, it's far less likely to be a situation in which your felony record is discussed. If you come to the crossing at Sweetgrass, Idaho, expect to be scrutinized carefully.
If you have time, you can go to a Canadian Consulate in the US and apply for exemption. They do grant them for certain reasons. We used to have a driver that was in a house where another person was busted for trafficking. He was granted Canadian travel after explaining the particulars of his case.

 

I didn't see where anyone described the FAST card, other than applying.
FAST-Free and Secure Trade. It's a credit card size card that issued to you after background checks by the Canadian and U.S. customs. I think it's customs. It is a government body at any rate. After both sides figure out you're not a security risk, you visit customs, for me it was in Windsor, and you view a CT/PAT video on how to check your truck for terrorist activity, such as a bomb, whatever. Then you get your card. The new ones come in copper lined sleeve to prevent ID theft. There is a magnetic strip in the card that has all your info on it. I can't recall what all the info is. I've had my card for quite a while, so possibly a few things may have changed. I went to Canada customs, in NewYork it might be U.S., I don't know, but you will be told by letter where to go once the background checks are complete.
I thought the background checks were the same as hazmat, but was told no. Ofcourse it all costs money, so anything to make a buck. One thing I forgot, you will be fingerprinted and a photo taken.
I have a passport as well, but just use the FaST card.
And yep, the U.S. side is the pits if your a U.S. driver, and the Canada side is the pits for a Canadian. I don't know why, just is.

Then when you come back to the U.S. prepare for your charge of $10.75 US. They charge you for the enjoyment of sharing quality time with them, remember the part about making a buck?

Someone else told the basics of customs paperwork, it's really not all that bad if you have your act together.

 

sweet grass is in montana. they'd don't scrutinize you too much.

I've only had my cab searched once though, and it was by the losers at Port Falls, ID. It was the most anal crossing I've ever.. crossed.a I think all the newbie border guards are sent here for training.

and they all need to prove themselves.

 

CBP at one of the smaller crossings told me that Detroit was a training ground on the U.S. side.
Believe or not, Detroit is the only crossing I never had my truck gone through, on either side. And no, I have no horror stories of my truck being torn apart. It does happen, but it makes me wonder,,,,,,,,

 

A passport proves who you are.
A fast card or nexta card {I not sure if that is how to spell nexta.} will do a back ground check on the holder. You need to go on line to http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_823F.pdf and fill it out then you will need to be finger printed and wait for back ground check then you will need to go to the us border and the a us and a Canadian agent will interview you. Once you get your card your company and the receiving company must be enrolled in the program to for you to be able to use the card. I just went and did that I'm just waiting for my card. Hope this helps. The fast card is for trucks and the nexta card is for 4 wheelers.

 

In my case, it was just Canada customs in Windsor. I guess at that time CBP couldn't be bothered in Detroit. That was alright, the Canadian guys knew me from crossing before, and they made it painless. I could only imagine how the U.S. side would have been in Detroit. Most U.S. companies that cross the border are already CT/PAT authorized as far as I know. I used my FAST card coming back from Windsor in my POV, and the CBP didn't mention anything, but I did have my passport with me. I just wanted to see if it made a difference. In that case it didn't, but those guys in Detroit can get goofy in a heartbeat, not all of them, but quite a few.

 

It should also be noted that, I think, Nexus also has a monthly fee to pay to keep your card current, whereas FAST has a one time enrollment fee. However, the enrollment process is the same. Just maintain a record clean enough to make microchips on, and remember that you also MUST notify FAST of any changes to your employment status and/or address.

It eliminates most of the headaches mentioned in this thread. Ironically, it's easier for me to cross the border in a truck, then in a car.

-"What are you carrying?"
-"Empty."
-"Where are you headed?"
-"Ohio."
-"Go ahead."

Coming back was the same thing, just replace the empty line with cargo, change destinations, and add:

-"Did you buy or receive anything personal?"
-"A carton of cranberry juice."
-"Go ahead."