Drive friend's car into US?

[roger806]

Hello fellow travelers,
I'm planning to borrow my friend's car to go to Buffalo next Thursday. The trip will be just for one day or even shorter. I'm not quite sure if this is allowed to drive someone else's car crossing the border. I checked the US customs and border protection website, it seems nothing against this. Any idea if this is OK?

[MC]

I would exercise a bit of caution here. I can recall reading of a woman who drove someone else's vehicle or a leased vehicle through Niagara Falls and she was stopped dead in her tracks and surrounded by at least 6 CBP Officers since the vehicle was not hers. The DHS knew it too.

I suspect Buffalo might not be as bad provided you have a valid Canadian driver's license and there is insurance on the vehicle.

I am not so sure this is a risk I would be taking going through these crossings but you might zip on right through too so it's up to you.

[Steven]

If it's a Canadian-registered vehicle and you live in Canada and have a DL and passport, etc. then yes you can do it. Good idea to have a note with you from the person that lent you the car to say he lent it to you. And check the insurance policy to make sure this situation is covered.

[MC]

That particular article actually appeared in the Toronto Star several months ago. There was also another incident at Niagara Falls where a busload of Canadians had to wait 7 hours just to re-enter Canada. I think anyone who downplays the authority and power that CBP has in their execution of inspections and adjudications of work authorizations is rather naive and living in a dream world.

-- Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:00 pm --

I said "anyone" and that in no way or form implies what Steven mentioned in his thread, just so that there are no misunderstandings.

[Reba]

what article?

[agnelson]

"There was also another incident at Niagara Falls where a busload of Canadians had to wait 7 hours just to re-enter Canada."

One does not typically interface with CBP on the way out of US. The hold-up was likely on the CDN side, no?

[MC]

what article?

I cannot post a url describing my initial blog since I did not read the article online.

Correct Nelson. I only mentioned the second example due to association.