CBSA Pacific Highway Border Tour

After meeting with Hugh and Melissa in Bellingham to talk about the IMTC, we arrived at the Pacific Highway commercial border crossing via SR 543 (BC 15 from the opposite direction). The queue to cross was thankfully short and, after inspecting some exotic seized contraband in the lobby, we headed over to the freight office where we were given a brief yet informative tour by a not-to-be identified Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) agent. The basics of the border were explained, including the processes by which carriers and shippers comply with import regulations and how commercial vehicles physically pass through the border. We also learned processes and priorities in CBSA's efforts to enforce border security, both through discussion and a visit to a secondary inspection warehouse where thorough inspections of selected vehicles and their contents are made. After a brief Q&A session, it was time to move on to our next appointment.