I actually looked into it, and my current account has a daily withdrawal limit of $1000, which is not bad at all. Does the average ATM have any "per transaction" limits? A lot of ATMs I use here in the states are limited to $200 at a time.
Brining Cash across the US/CA border
- Thread starter duubouu
- Start date
Should have no issues taking out >=$500CAD at a bank-operated ATM. No sure about deli/hotel ATMs. Can also just go to another ATM if needed.
I prefer bank ATMs as they typically allow you to choose dispensing large bills instead of a stack of 20s.
Thanks a bunch for all the info! I've decided just to bring the cash I already have (4k) and take out more if I need it via bank ATMs.
This is going to be a wild few days. I'll be sure to write up some reviews
has anyone ever had their pockets searched at the border. I have been coming to montreal for 20 years 6-7 times a year and they usually ask how much money I have and my usual reply is $1,000 even though I might have more but never more than 2 - 3,000. and I have never been searched but several times told to pull over (i think they think $1,000 is a lot of money) when pulled over they search the car and open my suit case but they never search me. A few years ago(shortly before the c-36 law) a very suspicious female border agent had me pull over and she was determined to find something wrong she pulled out prescription meds and over the counter meds asked what each one was for and brought them in the back for testing . my suit case was full of notes as I am a pack rat so she started reading all my notes and found ph no. to agencys and asked what that was about and I told her I am alone and like company for dinner sometimes but I also told her the casino was my reason for going to montreal and I had notes regarding gambling wins and losses. she asked my why I had so many notes and I told her I was a pack rat. so finding nothing she finally let me go and looked at me with a smart ass smile on her face saying "have fun tonight" so I looked at the man who was assisting her and said what was that all about. and he said "just go you are not being arrested" with a look on his face like he knew she was a prick.
but with all that she never searched my pockets to see if I was telling the truth about how much money I had.
the thing that bothers me is I suspect she put in the computer about the escort agency no.s I had but I havent been pulled over since and I no longer carry any ph no.s names etc. I keep them in an email draft and print it all from the hotel bus center when I arrive.
but with all that she never searched my pockets to see if I was telling the truth about how much money I had.
the thing that bothers me is I suspect she put in the computer about the escort agency no.s I had but I havent been pulled over since and I no longer carry any ph no.s names etc. I keep them in an email draft and print it all from the hotel bus center when I arrive.
I’ve been crossing the border for many years. I’ve had pretty much everything searched except for myself personally. They have never searched me, asked to empty my pockets, or anything like that.
CBSA is more interested in drugs and working in Canada without a permit. If during an inspection, you give them something else to be suspicious about, then yeah searches can get escalated to be the intimate-level type of search.
This happened to me. Told to empty out all my pockets. Tore through my car. Got questioned for 30 minutes.
I also need a new excuse. I got questioned for 30 minutes about casinos. Ran out of things to say since I only been to casinos in Montreal once.
Best thing you can do is get a NEXUS card. Eliminates all of the bullshit. If they send you for secondary inspection they have to have a really good reason to do so.
I said it before and I’m saying it again. You’re here for smoked meat and bagels.
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Fun fact:
My friend told me her dad go to work abroad often and has to go to Quatar for a connection, His passport was full of Quatar visa.
Not only her dad was pulled over and went through 3 differents questioning room and they got dogs to sniff his car and got him to strip to his boxers and checked everything. It took 6h. Maybe you travel often to some countries Canada or the US don’t like.
Another fun fact. I spent one year exchanging in the US. I come home to Montreal often to see my friends and family. The planes were so fucked up and send me text saying it’s cancel at 5am the same day. I remember 2x I asked my mom to come to the US and drive me home and on her way to the US they questioned her 30min, cad pulled over, same procedure as you.
it’s probably due to the fact you visiting for a short time they suspect illegal narcotics deals or money laundering. Trust me, they would never suspect you are coming to see the girls.
Next time you visit us, check during that time which big events is in Montreal (ex: hockey, festivals in the summer, concerts, etc..) and tell them you are coming for a specific event which explain a short stay. If you have family here, even better.
Enjoy your future trips!
xoxo Kimi
Yes, I just realized they were probably looking for drugs when they went searching my car and pockets. I'm always afraid of them knowing about the hobby lol
But yes, I probably raised a few flags given that I am driving across the border very often these days.
I am staying pretty close to the border for the summer (in NY, only 2 hour drive to Montreal). So recently, I have been driving up to Montreal every 2 weeks and just hobbying for 2-3 days and going back down. I am guessing this raised flags.
This was my problem. I usually do this, but there were no events going on this week! It's right after F1 and right before the other big festivals.
Also, should be careful when telling them events you know nothing about. I once told an agent about a music festival and he asked me about the artists and I had no clue what he was talking about
I used to say this.
They would just say "you have that in NY, why come all the way here?"
I tell them I just like eating here. "you drive several hours just for some food?" "yes" "what are the restaurants you go to?"
She asked me about 20 more follow up questions and kept interrogating me about it.
Were you specific as to which foods? If it is just same vague I’m going to eat then of course it would raised some additional questions as to where and potentially do you have reservations.Yes, I just realized they were probably looking for drugs when they went searching my car and pockets. I'm always afraid of them knowing about the hobby lol
But yes, I probably raised a few flags given that I am driving across the border very often these days.
I am staying pretty close to the border for the summer (in NY, only 2 hour drive to Montreal). So recently, I have been driving up to Montreal every 2 weeks and just hobbying for 2-3 days and going back down. I am guessing this raised flags.
This was my problem. I usually do this, but there were no events going on this week! It's right after F1 and right before the other big festivals.
Also, should be careful when telling them events you know nothing about. I once told an agent about a music festival and he asked me about the artists and I had no clue what he was talking about
I used to say this.
They would just say "you have that in NY, why come all the way here?"
I tell them I just like eating here. "you drive several hours just for some food?" "yes" "what are the restaurants you go to?"
She asked me about 20 more follow up questions and kept interrogating me about it.
IME you are here for Montreal specific foods. I’m specific as to exactly where I’m going (and I happen to like Schwartz) and it’s well known enough that YUL and Champlain agents are fine with that. Schwartz doesn’t take reservations and you can gentle remind officer NY does not have smoked meat (we have pastrami lol). One officer I spoke with was also into food and was asking my opinion on NYC vs. Montreal bagels.
Diplomatically I replied they are differently and like them both.Also eliminates the lines at the airport. Summer afternoons means YUL international arrivals is congested up the escalators onto the corridor connecting the arrival gates. Just walked by >150 ppl waiting to get down to the immigration hall as if I was airline crew. Also walked by another 100 or so queue up after baggage claim to exit customs.
Even the 747 ticket machines are queued up so I ended up taking an Uber.
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