Since I’m not the most focussed I cant read the entire canada to america border thing I was hoping somebody would know if I could bring an untreated wooden attachments across the border from canada to america? If its not 100% legal how hard is it to get it across anyway? Should I just use metal instead?
According to US customs, it is possible. You just need to make sure it is processed, finished, or naturally weathered. You will still be subject to inspection by the US Customs and Border Protection, and you must declare it.
Processed woods such as chipboard, mdf and plywood are ok
“Finished, manufactured, or naturally weathered products including carvings, driftwood, furniture, picture frames, and musical instruments, and plywood are allowed into the U.S., but you need to declare them so the items can be inspected by CBP.”
If these are to go in a tool crate, you previously mentioned you may be better off going for metal or a combination of non-wood materials such as plastics and metals. As it will most likely safe you weight when you ship it, saving you significant amounts of money over the long term, it’ll also last longer in most cases.
If you choose not to declare it even though it is allowed with declaration, it is a very good way to have your crate delayed( it might not get to Champs in time) and to lose your wooden items, leaving you with no alternative. The rules are their for a reason, it is to protect the Bio-security of the United States, I’m sure that Canada has similar rules
Is this a robot part or something else?
Robot, our crate is already in transport
So you are planning to build an add-on to put on your robot at the competition? Your robot is currently in transit?
If it is for a robot part, I would suggest building it out of metal or plastic if your resources allow it. You will eliminate the hold-up when bringing it into the USA, and you will most likely end up with a stronger more durable part.
You can buy treated lumber to make it with. Most shipping pallets are made with it and can usually be distinguished via some kind of stamp or brand mark.
Yeah, we go off of our CAD. And ill try to make as many things as possible out of metal but we’re so broke its looking like our cdf and portcullis opperator is going to be made of a snow shovel, you know, the canadian way.
Woah never thought of that! Thanks!
As the mentor on my team responsible for shipping across the Canada-U.S. border, I strongly recommend you read the entire shipping document sent by FIRST/FIRST Canada. The shipping rules are tedious, and might seem arbitrary, but trust me - you don’t want to have a hold up at the border over something that might have been easily preventable.
Quick version, reiterating what some have already said - plywood/MDF is fine since it is “processed” wood, and can’t harbour any little critters that they don’t want coming into the U.S. Any dimensioned lumber is a problem, however - your standard 2x4s, etc. aren’t supposed to be brought across. This includes anything that you use to construct your crate, which you mentioned was already shipped, so hopefully it got through ok. We built a new crate this year out of just plywood and steel angle on a plastic pallet, all bolted together. Remember, just because something didn’t get caught this time, doesn’t mean it’ll get through in the future.
You can buy wood that has been treated and is approved for cross-border shipment - someone already mentioned that this is what they usually make pallets out of. I’ve tried to find it for purchase in southern Ontario as just planks, but it is not easy, and it is not cheap. It must bear a specific mark to let the border inspectors know that it is allowed across, so it would have to remain on the wood that you use - see the following link (it kind of looks like a tree branch and contains code letters next to it): http://internationalshippingusa.com/ispm_15_rules.aspx
If you can avoid all this by using a different material, I would suggest it. You certainly might be able to completely get away with it, but I personally wouldn’t want to take that risk.
What’s stopping you from just buying the lumber once you enter the US. I know the exchange rate is terrible but it’s probably not worth the hassle to save a few dollars.
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That’s a good suggestion, but it will most likely be easier for them to build the robot add-on at their shop/home, rather than have the inconvenience of having to do it at the event with limited time and tools.
We did that with our robot cart, we didn’t have enough weight in our crate as we were already at 400lbs( extra shipping is crazy expensive), with our pit and robot. Crates have to be stronger( thus heavier) for sending overseas, because they can get put on their side. so we just bought some extrusion and some lumber and built one in the carpark of our hotel before the Western Canada Regional and just put in our crate for transport to Champs. Fedex is less stringent, for moving the 400lb crates intercontinent as it is ground freight.
I really, really wish I could see you guys in action with this! 