I will be travelling to the U.S. a couple of times over the next couple of weeks and was wondering if anyone's run into trouble with the contents of their sign kit at the Canadian-U.S. border.
There are some hazardous materials in a typical sign kit, and with the tightened security, I'm a little worried about getting into trouble. Is it ok if I get checked because it's very small amounts of relatively harmless materials, or am I in for a world of problems? Canadian customs gave me a really hard time once because I was a lone young male with long hair arriving back from Amsterdam, and I'm not anxious to have a repeat performance. (The hair's long gone now, though)
Unless someone has knowledge or experience about it, I'm thinking about just playing it safe and not bringing any paints, thinners, etc. that could possibly cause me any problems. Lying or just not saying isn't an option, because 1) I'm a terrible liar and 2) I'm the type who will look completely guilty to start with even though I haven't done anything wrong.
Thanks,
-------------------- Bob Darnell London, Ontario, Canada
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Bob...As you know Letterhead meets usually have an abundance of raw materials, like paints and thinners etc. Your actual tools won't be considered dangerous.
Just one word about saying "why" you are going to the USA. Use the term "Signwriter's Convention" or "Signmaking Convention". Custom's officers like words that they recognise. "LetterHEAD MEET" can be mis-interpreted!!
Remember, THE reason why you are entering the USA is to learn or practice NOT to do any"work"..That is why you have your kit with you. Trust me on the last comment!
[ August 05, 2002, 05:08 PM: Message edited by: Dave Grundy ]
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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If you are going to a meet you will only need your brushes
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Nothing that cuts. No razor blades, pocket knives, EXacto knives, etc, they'll just confiscate them at then airports. No sharp, pointy things, like extra compass points. No containers, any size, of any liquids. Not even water, they won't believe you. And don't even THINK of bringing a nail file! They are convinced that is a Taliban Terrorist Instrument! Dull your pencils and crayons, or better, leave any pointy things at home. No white pounce powder, and don't joke about it being Anthrax. If you see your friend John, don't >>DO NOT<< yell out' "Hi, Jack!" No snap line that you might strangle the President with, either, even though any of us would.
You think I'm kidding. We Don't Kid is the motto.
A friend of mine recently gave me her old sign kit, and brought it down on the airplane. I got a box with oily brushes and zip else. And that was before 9/11. They don't hire those people from a High I.Q. test. Tell them you're a sign painter going to a LetterHead Meet. That ought to command respect with them.
Why not box it up and mail it in advance to the meet location - no hassle that way, except for the time delay getting it back.
Posts: 1859 | From: / | Registered: Nov 1998
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Don't try to bring any lemons into the USA either. I brought some fruit with me into Canada but could not get back across the border a few days later with what was left. I just squeezed that lemon into some water, added sugar and had a refreshing glass of Canada Wet at the border. The rind had to go in the trash can on the North side of the 49th parallel also. Citrus fruit can enter the USA only in the internal mode.
I have no idea what this has to do with signs but today is Monday. Have a great trip...or two.
-------------------- David Harding A Sign of Excellence Carrollton, TX Posts: 5105 | From: Carrollton, TX, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi Bob, Well mate let me tell ya about entering Canada and also crossing into america numerous times with a sign kit.At first it was a bit daunting but as I think dave said, tell them you are going to a conferance. I wouldnt worry about sharp knives pencils etc because if they go in the belly of the plane there no threat. I also travelled with smalt glue, smalts, and stencil glues in my kit along with airbrushes, needles knifes...the works and jerks. As you may know i travelled during the hight of the sept 11 deal and didnt have any problems at all apart from customs back here in Sydney wanted to take a look at some "canned toys" (gifts) which I couldnt remember being in my case but as far as my work box the never evan opened it in all my travvels. I did also tape it up so it wouldnt open during flight. My box did create a fair bit of attention at airports but only because of the airbrushed stuff all over it hehehe.One scary thing happened while flying from the duck soup meet in alabama to Vancouver was , To be on the extra safe side i laft all my knives with RT and went on my way. All was fine untill while flying from Denver to Vancouver I realised the keyring box cutter i was given in the duck soup goodies bag was in my carry on, ahhhh! I freaked! I was sooo parinoid and as soon as I got to Vancouver I put it in my kit and taped it up nice and tight again hahaha. I know you are driving thru the border and I did drive thru the canadian border to america twice with my kit and just answered the right answers and all was sweet. I wouldnt worry about taking paints or thinners just your box of tricks will be all you need.
anyway, all the best & have a great time.
Rod
-------------------- Rod from, EAST COAST AIRBRUSHING "Airbrush Art & Graphics" Nambour; Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Australia E.mail: rod@rodticklesigns.com Web: www.rodticklesigns.com Posts: 635 | From: Nambour, Sunshine Coast, Queensland | Registered: Dec 1998
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quote:Nothing that cuts. No razor blades, pocket knives, EXacto knives, etc, they'll just confiscate them at then airports. No sharp, pointy things, like extra compass points.
My husband and I have had this problem recently with our knives. As a professional chef, my husband has some pretty impressive and dangerous looking stuff in his "tool kit". We called the airlines and they said that as long as we checked it as luggage and didn't take it as a carry-on, there was no problem at all. I was really surprised that they seemed to take it with a grain of salt. Here he is walking through the airport with a box full of huge knives. Really makes you wonder about the other stuff people are carrying around the airports.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3723 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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Hi Bob, just got back from Letterheads in Wisconson, and I too was a little concerned about taking kit across border so I didn't although I have never had any problems. Ended up buying brushes at meet but that was all I really needed. I agree with Dave - just give them a simple explanation of where you're going. They asked me & I told them Chippewa Falls & they never asked why. On way back asked how long I was out of country & how much I spent & that was it. Meanwhile I had HDU samples, blasted HDU pieces, blasted glass & mirrors. Yah just have to look innocent & don't volunteer any more info than they ask. They have a real problem with anything that might be conceived as art & have value, so everything is samples!
-------------------- Colleen Henderson Signs Now, Thunder Bay, ON signsnow@tbaytel.net Posts: 140 | From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jun 1999
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One of the easiest ways to get thru the airport hassle...take some guns with you! I am not kidding! I travel to various Shoots!Just declare them as soon as you get to the airport, and you will be escorted to a side counter for inspection. There you will have to open up the gun case and show that they are not loaded, they will then tag them and make you lock the guncase....and they will then process your ticket and flight stuff, ...and that is the last you will see of the guns until you arrive at your destination. From there you will walk to your boarding gate. When you arrive at your destination, your baggae will not be with the rest of the herd's stuff, rather it will be at the security opffice waiting for you!
Werks fer me!
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
si.allen on Skype
siallen@dslextreme.com
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Never mess with your profile while in a drunken stupor!!!
Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hey Bob- Glad yer comin' down. If you like, UPS or mail your kit to me at: JILL'S CUSTOM SIGNS 813 PITTSBURGH RD. ROUTE 8 BUTLER, PA USA 16002 And I'll mail it back to you later. Like somebody else said, you really just need your brushes. LOVE-Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Thanks everyone for the great advice. I will be going through my kit with a fine toothed comb and only taking the bare essentials. I probably wouldn't have even thought about little exacto blades being any big deal, but I can see how that might be a problem. See ya
-------------------- Bob Darnell London, Ontario, Canada
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we had a ball trying to explain to canadian customs that we came all the way from oz to work for nufin in the usa... i agree don' use the word 'letterheads'
we had to show them magazines to prove that such a thing existed!
cheers gail
-------------------- Gail & Dave Hervey Bay Qld Australia
gail@roadwarriorproducts.com.au
sumtimes ya just gota! Posts: 794 | From: 552 O'Regans Creek Rd Toogoom Qld 4655 Australia | Registered: Nov 1998
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