Nexus Pass - Is this worth while?

[stovetop]

For sime time we have been considering purchasing a Nexus pass to get across the border without waiting in the regular line up, which can be a wait of several hours these days.

Can anyone tell me their experiences with having one of these passes? Does everyone in the car have to have the pass?

Does the pass cover you for both going into the US AND coming back into Canada?

Pros and cons?

Keen to hear your comments and suggestions.

[Neil]

Very worthwhile.  Have had a Nexus pass since inception and have saved huge amounts of hassle.  Drove across Peach Arch into Canada last evening, through Nexus, with no cars in front of me.  At least a 2 hr wait in the other lanes.

All persons in the vehicle must have Nexus.  If someone does not have it, they can exit the car and walk across.  Be sure they have all their belongings with them (can't leave anything in the car).  Drop them off a ways back of the Nexus booth, so you don't block traffic etc. 

Children under 16 are free and it is $80 for 5 yrs I think.  Works for road, water and air.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the rules, as the penalties are pretty harsh.

[Mickay]

make sure you buy it though the US side - again it's much cheaper that way!

[vegas257]

I just got my NEXUS pass a few weeks ago, and the line up during the BC day long weekend was over 2.5 hours at Peace Arch, the line up started at the last HWY entrance, (over 1KM long).  My wait was just one car, or about 20 seconds.

Cost $50 (US) per person, and 16 and under are free.  The NEXUS is good for 5 years plus your next birthday.  So say that your B-day is on Sept 2nd, 2008; and you get your NEXUS pass on Sept 1st, the NEXUS pass will expires on Sept 2, 2013, but if you get your NEXUS pass on Sept 3rd, then your pass will expire Sept 2, 2014.

Everyone in your car must have a NEXUS pass, the rules have changed, you CAN NOT drop off anyone without a NEXUS pass at the border and walk across (I thought about this as well). Everyone must have a NEXUS pass, otherwise you must line up like everyone else.  When you pick up your NEXUS pass, they will tell you this, as well as that you must declare EVERYTHING you bought in the United States; even a cup of coffee that you did not finished, that is sitting in your cup holder.

You can sign up for your NEXUS pass on-line,  here is the link

https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/

Takes about 8 to 14 days (the web site says it can take up to 6 weeks) to process your application.  When you're approved, then you will need to make an appointment to get your NEXUS pass.  If you go to the Vancouver airport, the wait time is about 2 months,  if you go to Blaine, WA, the wait time is about 3 days.  If your b-day is coming up, then book the appointment after your b-day to get the extra year. 

When you show up for your appointment at Blaine WA, it's like going to renew you driver license,  you stand behind a bench type desk, and they will just reconfirm your information that you submitted in.  The NEXUS office in Blaine is right after you cross the Pacific HWY crossing, just tell the border guard and he/she will give you instruction on how to get to the office.

Is the NEXUS pass worth $50 for 5 years?  That's only $10/year.  If you like to travel, fly out of Bellingham (Allegiant air) or Seattle ONCE and you will save OVER $50 there alone.

[admin]

I'll add my two cents...

I just got my Nexus a few months ago, and it took about 2-3 months for my interviews from the time I mailed in my application.

It is absolutely worth every penny, and it is a BARGAIN!

Here in Vancouver, the summer border lineups at Blaine or the truck crossing are averaging 1-2 hours at any given time between 0700 am and 10 pm 7 days a week.

I have only had to go to Blaine twice this summer to pick up packages at Hagens, and I crossed the border in 5 minutes each time... instead of waiting hours.

As I value my time at $20 or more per hour, I can tell you that I would have paid $200 for the Nexus Pass. As it lasts 5 years, in my opinion, it would still be a bargain at $200!

Hats off to the US and Canadian border agencies for putting this program in place.

Henry Tenby, webmaster
www.CrossBorderShoppingDeals.com