Secondary Inspections at Customs

It depends, which side of the border you are talking about. I can't speak for Canadian side, only had problems with customs paper work but the US side it seems I'm told that if someone doesn't answer the questions and seems to be distracted, they will do an inspection. I had that happen to me recently, I was asked how many hours was I in Canada and I could not answer because I could not add the hours right due to a headache, so I had a complete inspection. Nothing found and no damage to the truck so I went on my way and didn't care. there are other factors, mainly the mood of the customs officer, outside of family members, I have only had one who actually made a joke otherwise they are too serious about asking questions.

 

There's a science to it based on body language, attitude and demeanor.

It's a lot in how you answer the interview questions.

 

Absolutely, and absent a mirror, most of us have no idea how we appear during during a customs interview....

A reluctance to make eye contact, a nervous twitch, perspiration, a stammer or stutter of speech, an inability to stand still, an inability to answer the questions asked directly and with confidence, a propensity to constantly look around, to see what else is going on, or who else may be watching.....

These are all tell-tells....

Basically anything that arouses suspicion can be the basis of a closer inspection, and some countries can hold you in a cell with only a bucket to relieve yourself, if they feel you are a smuggler bringing in contraband.

"Locked up abroad" is a pretty good show to watch if you're interested in how customs officers decide on who to look at more closely...

 

It sure isn't based on the intelligence of the officer at the booth . Last year I had a Canadian officer tell me to go to secondary and back to the dock . I said " Um , I'm pulling a tanker " . That didn't matter but if they opened the dome I would be far away . It was stannic chloride UN 1827 . Nasty stuff . They make me leave the truck when they unload .