Sumas Crossing Time

[kathytony1985]

We will be picking up our new 23 on May 21st. For those of you who recently picked up a trailer, what was the time it took to cross through to Canada? We will be towing an empty 2021 21NE as a trade in. TIA

 

[WinterIsComing]

WA DOT has live border crossing times available here: https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/border-crossings The Sumas crossing is SR9.

Our experience on March 21 was less than five minutes on a Friday morning. That included an outgoing inspection by US border patrol (quick check of truck bed etc) and then processing through Canadian border patrol. They are well familiar with ETI, so no hassles once you mention your business. We live within 3 hours of ETI, so had an empty truck bed. If you have a bunch of gear, YMMV.

Crossing back into the US took longer as we had to go through the commercial lane. There were several trucks in line, so that was the real wait. Once we reached the border patrol person, it was less than 30 seconds to hand over the paperwork ETI had assembled and be on our way.

 

[kathytony1985]

Thank you! We may empty the truck bed before we cross and leave the stuff at the campground. I believe there is a storage area we could use for a couple of hours. We will definately check the link you provided.

 

[occer]

Plan for 90 minutes and if it takes 10 you have time for a Starbucks or Dairy Queen.

The US side both coming and going 2 minutes. Coming in to Canada 90 minutes. Not sure why maybe like TSA they need to check a certain number each hour.
And we were the Lucky ones ! They let us in so I think it was just random.

 

[Bobbie54]

Time of day matters. When I last went up there it took about 15 minutes to cross around 9 am. When I returned about 12 it was backed up to a lot more than that (both US side.) Also the signs you see on the highway are not always very accurate. So just allow extra time.

 

[kathytony1985]

Our apt is at 11 a.m. so if we leave the campground in Lynden by 9 we should be okay, right?

 

[Bobbie54]

Yes, I think so. At Sumas.

 

[MarkinVan]

Since the tariffs the border is at 50% of normal traffic.

 

[kathytony1985]

We will be going through the commercial lane INTO as well OUT of Canada. We have to re-import our 21NE as part of the Switch and Hitch program. Hopefully, it won't be a long drawn out process.

 

[SkipperClyde]

In January it took me for ever to cross into Canada. Every US vehicle went through in minutes. I may look like a Missouri red neck driving a 4 wheel drive pick up (maybe I are one) and they insisted that I show them all my weapons and where I was hiding them. They kept telling me I had a pistol hidden somewhere. Took close to 15 minutes. This is not the first time I have had this issue crossing into Canada. I believe they profile people from liberal gun states.

 

[Ron in BC]

I don't think that past experience reflects the new situation of these road blocks and inspections before folks leave the US. This is a completely new situation that never existed before. The length of delay that it causes is impossible to predict in the future. I'd monitor the situation in the days before a planned crossing and if in any doubt cross a day early. We do have campgrounds in Canada.

Ron

 

[WannaBeEscaped]

Can’t really answer the OP question, but I’ve got a similar story as SkipperClyde to tell.
Last fall we traveled from Alaska to Newfoundland and re-entered Canada at Calais, ME / St. Stephen, NB. Our interview went in part as follows:

Canadian Border Guard: Do you have any guns?
Us: No.
CBG: No handguns?
Us: No.
CBG: No rifles?
Us: No.
CBG (a little more incredulous): No shotguns?
Us: No.
CBG (voice rising in pitch): Any at home?!
Us: No.
CBG (sounding exasperated): You’re from Alaska and you don’t have any guns?!?!
Us: No, but we have bear spray!

 

[Bobbie54]

LOL. Weird they asked about home. I entered from Eastern Washington once and got asked about alcohol and firearms. At Sumas it's fresh fruit and
vegetables.