immigration? customs? May be a silly question

[luv2cruiseprincess]

This may be a silly question, but is there a difference between immigration and customs? I have done three carribean cruises out of F. Lauderdale and don't remember going through either, unless it was so easy I didn't notice? This year I am going to Vancouver to sail out of for Alaska (flying in from US). Are you directed to the correct line to get in? I assume this process is very easy. Any advice? Thanks.

[marycang]

Immigration is where you show your passport and to check your legal status. U.S. Customs is when the government wants to know how much you bought in that foreign country. You will probably go through Canadian Immigration at the airport in Vancouver. It's usually pretty easy and simple.

[TinAngel]

Both agencies overlap nowadays. They are Federal Law Enforcement officers. Some are armed in their duties I hear.

 

Immigration was ever so present when leaving the ship after the cruise: checking documents with a microscope. A few folks had delays and "issues".

 

Customs worries openly about cuban cigars and gems or gold but they look at everything as to profiles. They "bring down" many drug dealers and drug runners.

 

I have family in one agency. I had a pocket full of cigars and was queried about them: I just flashed my DOD ID and said "No, sir, no commie cigars".These guys and women "profile" folks I suspect you are not even close to what they are looking for. :D

 

But they are around. They do not bother the mainstream of American cruisers but look at those who require looking at. They are taking care of our safety and welfare. Like I said: Homeland Security is job #1.

 

Good question.

 

Joe

[West Coast]

When you arrive in Vancouver, at the airport, you will proceed through Canadian Customs and Immigration. The officers there play a 2-in-1 role.

 

Then, before you get on the ship at Canada Place, in Vancouver, you will PRE-CLEAR US Customs and Immigration. It is set up this way as there is no other way to clear the ship in any of the Alaskian ports - and it's a lot easier, too!

 

Have a great trip!

[Druke I]

Times certainly are changing. Our two last re-entries into the US (9-05 and 3-22-06), they did swipe our US Passports through the scanner, but did not stamp them!

 

I guess we came back legally!

[Boomer TG]

In the US, since the creation of the Dept. of Homeland Security Inspectors from the former INS (Immigration), Customs and Agriculture were merged into one Bureau - Customs and Border Protection (CBP) (which also includes the Border Patrol). With the exception of the Agriculture Specialists, all CBP Officers are armed. The idea is to create a "one stop" operation for the traveller instead of having to clear immigration and then customs, etc. The jury is still out on whether or not this is such a good idea. Instead of specialists in a certain field of expertise you now have generalists in what can be very complicated laws/regulations.

[DanJ]

When you arrive in Vancouver, at the airport, you will proceed through Canadian Customs and Immigration. The officers there play a 2-in-1 role.

 

Then, before you get on the ship at Canada Place, in Vancouver, you will PRE-CLEAR US Customs and Immigration. It is set up this way as there is no other way to clear the ship in any of the Alaskian ports - and it's a lot easier, too!

 

Have a great trip!

 

That's a great idea, and one I hadn't thought of or heard of before. But I guess since there are US agents stationed in Vancouver to pre-clear US flights at the airport, it's not much a bigger deal to send a few agents over to the pier to do that as well. Certainly makes things go smoother the rest of the cruise, that's for sure.

[SJACPA]

When we came back from the Star on 3/19 we had to go through both immigration and customs. However, over the past couple of weeks I've learned that the easiest way to come back into the US is through the Mexican boarder. NOBODY APPEARS TO BE CHECKING DOWN THERE!!!!:confused:

[Twaincruisers]

On return from our last three cruises in Dec, Jan, and Feb, we zoomed right throuhg customs because they had no computers to scan passports. When they have computers, I get closely questioned about my purchases to make sure I haven't bought any prescription drugs abroad. I used to be able to do this, but after the drug industry's (and other business's) pawn was elected the ability to import has been stopped and I am tagged in the computer. So beware what you buy; you could get on the wrong list!