Crossing US-Canada border with laptop?

Question

When moving into Canada from the US, does customs turn on and check your laptop?

Answer 1

not usually, you just have to take it out of the case and send it through the xray machine.  i have never had anyone turn on my computer... i go to europe and japan about 5 times a year and canada about 5 as well.  unless you act suspicious...??

Answer 2

they have the power to search your laptop for pirated software and pornography on the border in both directions.  That said... I cant remember ever seeing it done

Answer 3

My husband and I were long haul truckers for quite a few years and we always had our laptop with us, never once did they turn it on and check it(on either side), they knew it was there but never checked it for anything illegal. We have crossed the border many many times....more then I can remember!

Like someone mentioned if you ask suspicious then they will search you completely to see what you are hiding, but if you act normally they will not give you a hard time.

Answer 4

My husband is an international truck driver (Canada & US) and he's never said anything about that!

Answer 5

The airport security folks used to power up most or all electronic devices to ensure they worked and were therefore not filled with anything other than electronics to power the device. I travel about once a month through Canadian security and they don't power them up anymore. You need to pull them out of their cases and put them in the bin but usually, that's it. From time to time my laptop gets the swab test. And of course if you irritate them, or act suspicious, or you just happen to be that random number who get more intense searches anything could happen.