A border crossing problem, Need HELP

Thug Life

Ok, so me and the 4 people i'm going with are crossing the border from Canada and we want to bring lots of beer down with us. We're all "of age" in Canada but not in the states. Obviously a car with 5 teenage guys is gonna get searched by the border patrol and we need a way of smuggling in enough beer to last us 3 nights.

Any suggestions?

VThornheart

Oh jeez man, that could be trouble. Do people tend to search more if you're coming back INTO the U.S. than they do when you go out of the U.S.? Because I went to Montreal a couple times with a group of teenage guys... we were all about 18-19 at the time, and there were six of us piled in a van. We were polite, and made sure to look clean shaven, and they asked for ID and then waved us through. (not that we had anything worth searching for... we just didn't want the time delay of being searched)

Now, I wonder if you could pull the old "Sorry officer, I didn't realize the law in the U.S." thing... I don't know if it'd work, and you'd probably lose all your alcohol if it did have to come to that, but if you really want to try bringing it over it would at least be a shot. Not that I'm promoting that of course.

In the end though, it might be better just to go without it. No sense in potentially getting...? I don't know, would they arrest you, would they have the jurisdiction to do so? I don't know what would happen, but it might not be worth it to find out. But whatever way you decide, good luck!

ChunkyButter

If its legal for you to have it in Canada, then theres no way they could arrest you. If they caught you with it, the worst that might happen is they'll tell you to either turn around and go back into canada or throw out the alchohol. I really can't see them doing anything other then that.....assuming your not drinking it as you drive up.

Oknark

if it is unopened, and you are of legal age at the point of entry (ie the point in Canada you are leaving from), you're good.

Thug Life

Oknark wrote:

if it is unopened, and you are of legal age at the point of entry (ie the point in Canada you are leaving from), you're good.

Really? I thought you wouldn't be allowed to have it in the states if you weren't 21.

Anyway, anyone know any good ways to smuggle in beer in a car, just to be safe?

VThornheart

Nay, nay... you wouldn't be safe on the American side. I think he means that they wouldn't arrest you at the border though. They still would make you pour it out etc...

Let's see, how to make it safe... well, you could store it in normal luggage. Searching a car in the United States constitutes plain sight if I'm not mistaken (if anyone knows more than me on this please elaborate/correct me), but searching bags would probably require a warrant I'd guess. I could be totally off base though.

What you also could do is make it so that they would feel it would be very inconvenient for them to search your car. For instance, pack your car TIGHT with luggage, I mean TIGHT, with the alcohol in inconspicuous luggage bags on the very bottom of said pile. They might decide it's just not worth their time and let you pass. After all, these people are just overworked and underpaid employees like most people: if it's going to be inconvenient for them, they likely wouldn't bother with it unless you made yourself suspicious. Not that I endorse this... I'll make my statement again that perhaps you should reconsider. While it is a shame that the U.S. has more strict laws than Canada, it might not be worth the trouble.

Oknark

VThornheart wrote:

Nay, nay... you wouldn't be safe on the American side. I think he means that they wouldn't arrest you at the border though. They still would make you pour it out etc...

that's what I meant. The second you cross the border you'd technically be in illegal possession of alcohol. You could always try to say your uncle wanted some canadian beer in seattle, and you didn't know that it would be a problem, and maybe you'd get a nice crossing guard.

westyside26

If you're that worried about it just smuggle a handle of your favorite hard alcohol. \

Penguin Born To Frag

Uhh, I got an idea, just have someone you can meet up with buy you some. I'm not "of age" but everyonce-in-a-while I like to have a good drink I just ask my friend to go get me some 'cause shes nice. I'm sure of the many people who are going, one of them would be nice enough to help out a few young fellers...whats the age in Canada, 18?

Dog

Get someone who's over 21 to come with you.

Thug Life

Hmmm, i may have an idea. if i could meet someone at the border who's 21 and would cross with us, then there would be no problem.....

MulysaSempronius

or maybe you could not bring beer. generally, alcohol is highly regulated and they don't let you carry it across regardless of age.

Grath

why not just mug some old man for his wallet and use his ID to buy booze