US rental cross border and back to US

I recently reserved a car from Alamo at Seattle airport, planing drive to Vancouver and bring the car back for return. I was told by the rental agent that as a Canadian citizen, the car would be seized on my way back at the border (by US side?). I had to rent one-way and paid 120US on it (one day). Any one has similar experience? What about driving your own US registered vehicle? Appreciate any comments.

wen [align=justify]

Were you just visiting the US or do you live here?

We have rented cars, driven up to Canada and back no problem.

I am on TN working in California. Thanks.

I know there are several rental companies that don't allow you to take rentals cross border, but I've never heard anything so rediculous that the car would be seized by CBP. I think the guy was misinformed honestly.

Try another rental company next time. And call ahead to ask if they allow you to cross the border.

A similar question arised on Visajourney.com and was answered by a Cdn customs agent (neiks) and she said it was illegal for a Canadian citizen to rent a car in the USA and drive it across the border into Canada. Same goes for a CDn citizen borrowing a friends/spouses car from the USA and driving it into Canada. I can't recall the reason, and can't find the link to it on VJ. As well a fellow VJ'er said she was denied entry into Canada with a (USA)friends car. She had to park it on the USa side. Luckily she lived close to the border! As wel Neiks stated it is illegal, but as in any case some border guards do not know the rules, and people do get by! Now if you had a USA resident/citizen with u in the car, you should be fine!

Thanks for all the replies. When I drove across my rental into Canada, the lady actually asked me whether I am driving a rental. I told her yes. No further question asked. I am always afraid of the US side for some unknown reason.
Everyone has a good weekend.

huh.learn something new every day. I must have missed that. And we've never been bothered going back and forth.

The issue is Canadaian RESIDENTS driving US registered cars into Canada.

This is forbidden, and yes, Canada customs will block you (not seize the car).

But US residents (as evidenced by their US drivers license) -- even Cdn citizens living in US -- are able to drive any US car (rental or otherwise into canada).

THE RULE:
Canadian citizens are prohibited from driving a non-Canadian rental vehicle into Canada, except under hardship circumstances

cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5056-eng.html

cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cm/d2-4-1/d2-4-1-e.html

THE CONDITIONS FOR CANADIAN RESIDENT TO BRING A US RENTED VEHICLE INTO CANADA
- the conveyance, while in Canada is to be used solely for the transportation of a resident and accompanying persons from the point of arrival in Canada directly to a specified destination in Canada and from the specified destination to a destination outside Canada;
- in the case of a resident other than a commuter, the conveyance is to be imported only for the purpose of transporting his household or personal effects into or out of Canada, or for personal transportation as a result of an emergency or unforeseen contingency

I live in the east coast (Fort Erie, ONT) and I plan to fly from Buffalo (cheaper than flying out of Toronto and closer) to Seattle in order to and rent a car to visit Vancouver, BC. I've booked my flights, planned my itinerary, made all the reservations and I just learned about *the rule* and I'm freaking. Anyone know of a good *legal* story that will allow me to pass ?

Here is what I've come up with so far.

Version 1:
"I was in BC and [somehow, ie: took greyhound, got a lift] I arrived in Seattle. Upon arriving Seattle, [something happened, ie: received a phone call] that required me to return to Vancouver to [get my household goods/personal effects]. The solution was to rent a car from Seattle to drive up to Vancouver."

What would make this story possible ? What is this hardship circumstance ? Could the hardship be that my buddy from BC who on their way to California gave me the lift to Seattle in order to send me home to Fort Erie, and I realized i forgot something, and I have no way of getting back ?

The more complicated *the lie*, the harder it is to cross the border back into Canada.

Any good stories ?