Searched By US Customs, Including Laptop & Camera

[sgtsabai]

On one of the many occasions my baggage was searched (lady interrogator, she was excellent at her work, 99% of those she interviewed would have never known) I had some rather raunchy pictures of a party down in Sin City-Pattaya. She just asked if they were all of age, I replied yes, she said "I don't need to see this" and closed the album. On that same occasion I had a DVD of "Flags of My Father" lying on top of everything. The movie was still in theater in the states. She gave me a very quick run down on the law and possible penalties and sent me own my way with a "don't do it again". But, she was not really looking for contraband, she had other purpose in mind. The best answer to your question is they certainly could be, kinda' up to the officer.

[thailiketoo]

I doubt it. Post a gMap link, including directions from where you get off the macadam

By water in a boat one may cross back and forth from America to Canada 20 times an hour if the wind is blowing from your intended direction of travel.

The border begins at the northwesternmost point of Minnesota's Northwest Angle 49°23′N, 95°09′W, and proceeds in an easterly direction through the Angle Inlet into the Lake of the Woods. At 41°19′N, 94°48′W in the Lake of the Woods, the border turns to a southerly direction, and continues into the Rainy River. The border then follows the Rainy River to Rainy Lake, then subsequently through a numerous amount of small

<snip>

I didn't want an encyclopedic discourse on the entire border.

I said I don't believe you yourself personally have knowledge of specific location(s) in Canada where a foreigner could drive off the highway, put a boat in the water and head over to the US side without being detected by the authorities and their countermeasure systems nor reported by the locals.

I'm asking for a specific pinned location, for example:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=42.562184,-81.559968&hl=en&ll=42.540939,-81.513062&spn=2.33521,3.57605&num=1&t=m&z=8

Next time I want to bring in one of my teeraks without bothering with the paperwork - or maybe a nuclear suitcase bomb - I'll give it a try.

(to the TLA watchers notified by the above keywords- just kidding I swear!! )

Once upon a time certain spirits where cheaper in Canada than the USA (tax). Also sometimes there are beer strikes in Canada. There are many reasons that one might want to cross the border. An American would never say macadam btw.

However, anyone who plays hockey would know the &lt;deleted&gt;***** lakes freeze. An iceboat would be fine almost anywhere and not many police snow mobiles can keep up with a 60 mph iceboat (sail, quiet). Or skate across. That's one of the things that made prohibition so funny; ice. In the winter walk across the river in the summer swim. I gave you the coordinates so you can see where the distance across the border are, "spitting distance."

Boating in the great lakes makes border crossings an odd event. I guess some people report in but I've crossed so many hundreds of times and I don't even have a vague idea of where to go to file some paperwork or get searched. It's not like there is a metal scanner on the gas dock of the fishing hut in Northern Canada.

Edited February 20, 2014 by thailiketoo

[wym]

OK thanks. But I think I'll need to stick to summertime, getting chills just reading you post, not to mention the teerak 8-)

PS some Americans have lived around the world and picked up the odd bit of commonwealth vocabulary.

In fact many yanks were born overseas did you know?

[thailiketoo]

OK thanks. But I think I'll need to stick to summertime, getting chills just reading you post, not to mention the teerak 8-)

PS some Americans have lived around the world and picked up the odd bit of commonwealth vocabulary.

In fact many yanks were born overseas did you know?

I also thought that Australians call black top, macadam and refer to Americans as yanks.

Actually my point was I thought that Canadian border security from overseas was about the same as America. But I don't really know as it's been 10 years since I have tried it myself.

Edited February 20, 2014 by thailiketoo

[Cheapman]

Texas copied Switzerland star....

Switzerland rocks.

Everybody want to immigrate to Switzerland, this is why we voted to kick foreigners out.

And I m not trolling. :-D

[cashpower]

I also thought that Australians call black top, macadam and refer to Americans as yanks.

Australians call it bitumen, and usually refer to yanks as &lt;deleted&gt;

[wym]

Arse-fault 8-)

[Scarpolo]

Getting someone else involved when it's obvious your intention is to cross over illegally seems overly risky to me.

I'm talking about foreigners having their own boat on a trailer, putting it into the water at a spot in Canada, and crossing over without anyone reporting them.

If it's really that easy what are we spending billions on "border security" for?

Canadians can do that, all day long,

It is Americans,. who cannot dock

[sgtsabai]

The US spends billions to scare hell out of it's own citizens so they are obedient sheeple and don't threaten the plutocracy. Thereby raking in billions for the plutocrats that actually run the country.

[Scarpolo]

I doubt it. Post a gMap link, including directions from where you get off the macadam

By water in a boat one may cross back and forth from America to Canada 20 times an hour if the wind is blowing from your intended direction of travel.

The border begins at the northwesternmost point of Minnesota's Northwest Angle 49°23′N, 95°09′W, and proceeds in an easterly direction through the Angle Inlet into the Lake of the Woods. At 41°19′N, 94°48′W in the Lake of the Woods, the border turns to a southerly direction, and continues into the Rainy River. The border then follows the Rainy River to Rainy Lake, then subsequently through a numerous amount of small

<snip>

I didn't want an encyclopedic discourse on the entire border.

I said I don't believe you yourself personally have knowledge of specific location(s) in Canada where a foreigner could drive off the highway, put a boat in the water and head over to the US side without being detected by the authorities and their countermeasure systems nor reported by the locals.

I'm asking for a specific pinned location, for example:

https://maps.google.com/maps?q=42.562184,-81.559968&hl=en&ll=42.540939,-81.513062&spn=2.33521,3.57605&num=1&t=m&z=8

Next time I want to bring in one of my teeraks without bothering with the paperwork - or maybe a nuclear suitcase bomb - I'll give it a try.

(to the TLA watchers notified by the above keywords- just kidding I swear!! )

Once upon a time certain spirits where cheaper in Canada than the USA (tax). Also sometimes there are beer strikes in Canada. There are many reasons that one might want to cross the border. An American would never say macadam btw.

However, anyone who plays hockey would know the &lt;deleted&gt;***** lakes freeze. An iceboat would be fine almost anywhere and not many police snow mobiles can keep up with a 60 mph iceboat (sail, quiet). Or skate across. That's one of the things that made prohibition so funny; ice. In the winter walk across the river in the summer swim. I gave you the coordinates so you can see where the distance across the border are, "spitting distance."

Boating in the great lakes makes border crossings an odd event. I guess some people report in but I've crossed so many hundreds of times and I don't even have a vague idea of where to go to file some paperwork or get searched. It's not like there is a metal scanner on the gas dock of the fishing hut in Northern Canada.

Not one single person that I know that regularly uses Lake Ontario, reports back in,

They said, the reporting, was done a phone on a pole

[impulse]

The US spends billions to scare hell out of it's own citizens so they are obedient sheeple and don't threaten the plutocracy. Thereby raking in billions for the plutocrats that actually run the country.

Simply not true. They don't have to spend nearly that much to scare us to rake in the billions.

The networks and newspapers do the heavy lifting.

[sgtsabai]

Agree. They don't spend that much directly. Goebbels would be proud of the success of the propaganda spread by the government and neonazis, opps, meant neoconservatives and plutocrat billionaires. Lots of neoliberals join in on the economic front (kind of a misleading title there as they are anything but 'liberal' as most understand the word). I'm not sure on the actual figures of how much the Dept. of Homeland Security Gestapo, NSA, CIA, FBI, TSA, etc., etc. spends yearly or how much the airport kabuki theater costs, but it is far more than it is worth and hasn't protected anybody from anything.

[impulse]

Agree. They don't spend that much directly. Goebbels would be proud of the success of the propaganda spread by the government and neonazis, opps, meant neoconservatives and plutocrat billionaires. Lots of neoliberals join in on the economic front (kind of a misleading title there as they are anything but 'liberal' as most understand the word). I'm not sure on the actual figures of how much the Dept. of Homeland Security Gestapo, NSA, CIA, FBI, TSA, etc., etc. spends yearly or how much the airport kabuki theater costs, but it is far more than it is worth and hasn't protected anybody from anything.

And I can't help but wonder if there's a newer, gentler breed of terrorist out there (with a sense of humor). They really don't have to kill anyone to get what they want.

Just send some idiot on a plane with a non-functional shoe bomb, and laugh at the years of videos of billions of westerners having to take off our shoes just to get on an airplane.

Kind of makes me wonder what they were expecting when they sent the guy with the defective underwear bomb- Perhaps watching billions of westerners take off our underwear to get on a plane?

UBL's stated goal was to bankrupt the west and destroy our way of life. Even with him dead and gone, they're winning. And we're handing them the game.

Edited February 20, 2014 by impulse

[jaideeguy]

Back on the OP topic..........................pardon me if it has been asked and answered in the 10 previous pages, but what if a person is carrying pirated coppy writed movies, either porn or non porn [no kiddy porn]?? Would 'they' be confiscated and the 'smuggler' prosecuted??

So.I ask again about bringing into the US a few movies and TV shows that I downloaded................no kiddie porn, but maybe a few legal XXXmovies.

[sgtsabai]

Pretty sure I replied to this earlier. Basically it is up to the agent going through your gear. He/she will make the call as to whether or not the item is illegal and what happens afterward. You have no power to protest, none, nada, zip, zero. After the experiences I've had, I'd be very, very leery of bringing anything at all that could in anyway be interpreted as illegal, downloaded or bought on a DVD. I would bet that Customs considers anything on DVD bought in Thailand as contraband, no copyright.

[Scarpolo]

Carrying anything in to the States now, that has the potential to cause any delays is simply unwise,

Just Fedex anything and everything that may be of issue, and be done with it

[craigt3365]

I was a bit worried when I brought in some 400 DVDs bought in Pantip some years ago. Didn't even get a raised eyebrow.

[EyesWideOpen]

Pretty sure I replied to this earlier. Basically it is up to the agent going through your gear. He/she will make the call as to whether or not the item is illegal and what happens afterward. You have no power to protest, none, nada, zip, zero. After the experiences I've had, I'd be very, very leery of bringing anything at all that could in anyway be interpreted as illegal, downloaded or bought on a DVD. I would bet that Customs considers anything on DVD bought in Thailand as contraband, no copyright.

I went to states last year on a job. I took with me a lot of pirated movies I downloaded so I could watch them in my free time. I was a bit worried about customs seizing the drive. So I encrypted the entire drive with TrueCrypt, and then loaded in all my movies into the secure part of the TrueCrypt. Then I loaded a few risque photos in the part of the drive that is opened with the first simple password. It all looked great, and the 500 gigs of movies did not show up in a folder explorer program.

So I was sort of hoping I would be searched to make sure the system worked.

But alas I was not searched......

[LomSak27]

I was a bit worried when I brought in some 400 DVDs bought in Pantip some years ago. Didn't even get a raised eyebrow

Pretty sure I replied to this earlier. Basically it is up to the agent going through your gear. He/she will make the call as to whether or not the item is illegal and what happens afterward. You have no power to protest, none, nada, zip, zero. After the experiences I've had, I'd be very, very leery of bringing anything at all that could in anyway be interpreted as illegal, downloaded or bought on a DVD. I would bet that Customs considers anything on DVD bought in Thailand as contraband, no copyright

.

There you have it yout two totally correct views ...I have brought back oh a hundred dvd at a time and never had a problem - that in the last 10 years. On my last trip I had an old buffalo drive - 1 terra and 3 new smaller terrs 1 gig external drives - not a glance.

So in the usual thai "up to you" - I also know of no one who has had those external drives taken or searched among people I know outside of internet forums like this where, and I must admit, this is the first time ever I have heard of something like it

I'll be heading back in May, earlier if the protests/coup whatever gets out of hand, and will take 4 external drives( 2 terras, 2 500 G) and laptop back with me.

I'll post here if I have any problems

[thaibeachlovers]

In favor of Thailand, that beacon of human rights?

Ah, yes, the old search without a warrant thingy going on over there. The constitution in shambles. I made the right decision canceling my US citizenship 13 years ago.

Never once have I been harassed by Thai customs at the airport, so I'll take LOS over any western country. Besides, the idea that a western country has human rights is laughable.

Maybe the vast majority never have a problem, but that is probably down to chance and the numbers going through most airports.

[impulse]

In favor of Thailand, that beacon of human rights?

Ah, yes, the old search without a warrant thingy going on over there. The constitution in shambles. I made the right decision canceling my US citizenship 13 years ago.

Never once have I been harassed by Thai customs at the airport, so I'll take LOS over any western country. Besides, the idea that a western country has human rights is laughable.

Maybe the vast majority never have a problem, but that is probably down to chance and the numbers going through most airports.

Same in China- I've never been looked at twice on entering (once when leaving, but they had good reason based on the x-ray of my carry-on).

But every time I go through, they're pretty much strip searching a bunch of the Chinese citizens to check for contraband. 100% of the foreigners breeze through- and they search the belongings of as many of the locals as they have manpower to search.

So just 'cause you haven't been hassled (yet), doesn't paint a country as a bastion of personal freedoms.

Edited February 21, 2014 by impulse

[craigt3365]

In favor of Thailand, that beacon of human rights?

Ah, yes, the old search without a warrant thingy going on over there. The constitution in shambles. I made the right decision canceling my US citizenship 13 years ago.

Never once have I been harassed by Thai customs at the airport, so I'll take LOS over any western country. Besides, the idea that a western country has human rights is laughable.

Maybe the vast majority never have a problem, but that is probably down to chance and the numbers going through most airports.

I've never been hassled anywhere, and have visited almost 90 countries now. But, if you bring in over the limit cigs or booze here, and are caught, you're in for a major hassle and a significant loss of cash.

I take that back. The land border crossing between Syria and Israel was no fun. Everything gets searched and inspected closely. And it's not done with a smile on their face!

[thaibeachlovers]

In favor of Thailand, that beacon of human rights?

Ah, yes, the old search without a warrant thingy going on over there. The constitution in shambles. I made the right decision canceling my US citizenship 13 years ago.

Never once have I been harassed by Thai customs at the airport, so I'll take LOS over any western country. Besides, the idea that a western country has human rights is laughable.

Maybe the vast majority never have a problem, but that is probably down to chance and the numbers going through most airports.

Same in China- I've never been looked at twice on entering (once when leaving, but they had good reason based on the x-ray of my carry-on).

But every time I go through, they're pretty much strip searching a bunch of the Chinese citizens to check for contraband. 100% of the foreigners breeze through- and they search the belongings of as many of the locals as they have manpower to search.

So just 'cause you haven't been hassled (yet), doesn't paint a country as a bastion of personal freedoms.

I never said Thailand was, but I've had more grief entering the UK than ever I did to Thailand. In case you missed it, western countries don't have "human rights" worth a damn, if the authorities decide to get you. Just look at the so called IRA bombers that were banged up for years in England despite being completely innocent ( and the police knowing it ).

[CaptHaddock]

In favor of Thailand, that beacon of human rights?

Ah, yes, the old search without a warrant thingy going on over there. The constitution in shambles. I made the right decision canceling my US citizenship 13 years ago.

Never once have I been harassed by Thai customs at the airport, so I'll take LOS over any western country. Besides, the idea that a western country has human rights is laughable.

Maybe the vast majority never have a problem, but that is probably down to chance and the numbers going through most airports.

Since your personal rights are the only ones that matter, well done! No need to be distracted by what happens to other people, like stateless Hill tribe folks, Burmese immigrants routinely abused by police, rights activists who disappear without a trace, etc.

[LomSak27]

Somtamnication, on 17 Feb 2014 - 07:50, said:

Ah, yes, the old search without a warrant thingy going on over there. The constitution in shambles. I made the right decision canceling my US citizenship 13 years ago.

I'm not sure why this gets posted up by Somtam ... perhaps to fool the simple minded but maybe he believes it ..... AGAIN ---This is immigration and has NOTHING whatever to do with the bloody constitution

It has nothing to do with a search warrant

You read drivel like this and all the jokes they make about us expats might be true - Maybe we are just a pack a simple minded nobs

On a postive note, Somtam gave up US citizenship 13 years ago - good thing because obviously he never had a clue what his rights were and were not. And the US population is statistically smarter than it as 13 years ago.

Edited February 22, 2014 by LomSak27

[pgs]

Had my cameras searched at Sydney the same way.

They weren't happy when I pointed out that while they were wasting my time looking at pics of mountains, waterfalls & flowers, the people they needed to check were probably waltzing past quite happy.

[ravip]

This is the norm.

Majority of the genuine tourists and travellers will get harassed - the terrorists have connections and they will waltz by.

[ravip]

@thaibeachlovers

I never said Thailand was, but I've had more grief entering the UK than ever I did to Thailand. In case you missed it, western countries don't have "human rights" worth a dam_n, if the authorities decide to get you. Just look at the so called IRA bombers that were banged up for years in England despite being completely innocent ( and the police knowing it ).

Edit

Very few in today's world would have the 'shackles' to make this true statement in public.

The loudest who shout about "human rights" are the worst offenders!

"human rights"??? What exactly is that???

Edited February 22, 2014 by ravip

[anotheruser]

If you are critical of the US government, you might be searched, if you are a reporter and are critical of the US government you will be searched, detained, harassed and your electronic gear taken when you come back into the states. Some will not go back. Some people are not allowed back in, some are not allowed out. As a Vietnam Veteran Against the War I was an outspoken critic of US policy and the war in Vietnam. I was denied exit from the US along with my soon to be charged co-conspirator back in 1972. It was a Mexican border guard that told us, "it isn't my country, it is yours". A couple of weeks later the fumbling bureau of idiots began serving warrants. I had broken no law, was later released by Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas and the jury returned Not Guilty on all defendants. No, that was not justice. We never broke any law, the government just wanted to shut us up-didn't work. What is happening now isn't new, it is just 1,000 times worse and going to get worse unless the sheeple find their hind feet. Perhaps we should remember that Edward Snowden is trapped in Russia with a suspended passport and the threat of death hanging over his head because he spoke truth to the power by letting us know the degree of illegal spying done by the US. The US is a surveillance state bordering on a police state. Just another reason I won't return to the Corporate Police State of Amerika. If you don't have anything to hide you have nothing to fear?-bullsh t! I fail to understand how anyone can defend the searches we are subjected to coming back to the states as not being a violation of our rights. They may/do have the power, they don't have the right.

The argument is that if civilians have nothing to hide they shouldn't be worried.

If that is the case what is so frightening to the government to be held to the same standards? I don't care if they monitor my phone calls or whatever but why is the government so fearful of people subjecting them to public scrutiny? Do they have something to hide?

Why does the government feel so betrayed when their self prescribed by law right to privacy is violated? A government that is monitoring everybody should lead by example and be completely transparent about what it is doing. If the government has no need for a warrant or other legal protections to eavesdrop on private citizens, then the same standard must be applied to the state as well.

I copied that from a different forum I typed it out on, so the context isn't perfect but I am too lazy to revise the post for here. I hope that my meaning hasn't been obscured too much as a result.

[anotheruser]

My USA friends check laptops for hidden accounts. Bank statements, anything to catch you. ... They know some people open bank account without reporting them with fbar.

FBAR has nothing to do with taxes.

FBR has everything to do with tax evasion however.