Pembina–Emerson Border Crossing

Joe L

2023-09

So on this day, August 26, 2023, the line into the US was pretty long. All told it probably took an hour and a half to get through. There was two closed lanes or it would have probably gone much faster. The agent I worked with was friendly and easy to work with. Answered his questions and he checked my car and I was on my way. Pretty pain free. I only took a star off because of the long wait time. There is a restroom just past the checkpoint that helps immensely as well. Be sure to have all of your documents readily available to make the process as smooth as possible.

Manan Sachdeva

2023-08

Overall an awesome experience entering into United States (took a bit of time ) but the kiosk officer was very nice and welcoming. While Coming back to Canada it was a smooth checkout as the officer was too kind and welcoming. We were welcomed back home by such a positive great officer (July 25th around 11Pm-12Am)

Terry Gent

2023-11

I mean it is a border crossing, but that being said we were treated great and everything was relatively quick. Only one lane was open on the Saturday going into the US and one coming back into Canada on the Sunday. Signage for the stop line at the USA was overly complicated and they could learn from Canada. 🇨🇦

harmandeep singh

2024-03

Some officers are really nice and friendly they treat you with respect. Thumbs up to all the officers who don’t misuse their power. However, some officers misuses their power and misbehave. Even if you complain regarding their tone to Supervisor the supervisor won’t listen and shows their attitude.

Mohamed Muhumed

2024-04

April 24 2024I had a great experience! Officer ODEEAt the US side he was so kind and helpful today He helped me my waiver aplicationI wanna give 5 stars him & his teamNice & friendly staff

LCI

2023-06

Crossed Canada to USA on 31 May 2023. Was met at kiosk by an American officer. Unbelievably friendly. Welcomed us to the USA. Great greeting as we departed. THEN, returned to Canada approx 3 hrs later after picking up some building item at Menards that could not be found in Canada. No one was at the Canadian entry lane so it was easy to move up to the kiosk. Canadian border officer was pleasant and of course we had to park and pay some duty/tax. Not including the kiosk officer, there were four CBSA OFFICERS inside sitting at the counter. We were processed separately as my purchase was 25 $. The other purchase was greater. No problem. But Officer Shin dealt, one at a time , with us. All in all it went smooth. But watching one male officer on his phone gaming at next chair over. Saw female officer two chairs over on the internet computer, reflection of her screen visible from widow/picture glass behind her. She was checking out fashion clothing. The other male officer was sitting idle. I am curious why the 3 none engaged officer couldn’t have assisted. Also , it was great to hear the USA agent welcome us to the USA, sure would have been nice if the Canadian officer had more of a personality and some friendly “welcome back” conversation vs just collecting in a robotic fashion the duty/tax. Oh well.

Yolo Swag

2023-07

The officer that we in counter yesterday was unproffesonal and unconsiderate. He charge us for the bills that my wife just accidentally mix up with the bills that we bought from grand forks. Its un honest mistake that the reciept of past food that we buy was mix with other. Were allowed to consume $200 each. So $600 for three of us but we only consume$330 for a day. And the officer just told my son next time dont mix that receipt. If i was the officer i wave that or give him warning ,and not charging $57.71 us that we just already paid. Probably if we didnt declare something the officer will charge us more. Its a scam!

Anna Perea

2023-05

We had a great experience! Officer Anderson on the Canadian side was so kind and helpful (especially when we realized guns aren’t allowed in Canada) and Dr. Augenstein (DVM) actually accommodated processing our horses after hours. We were so thankful since harsh weather conditions delayed our appointment time. We were a little worried by past reviews, but have to say our experience was fantastic!

t e f

2023-07

Horrible experience. Too many details to post. The canadian agent was some chic showing off to her co-workers, half of who were eating dinner at their desks. Highly recommend crossing into Canada at any crossing besides this one.

Taha Korkmaz

2023-11

You don't see 1 mile long commercial line up in Sweetgrass, MT. We are missing our appointment times. All the booths must be open.

Tim Bromaghin

2023-05

Not a bad place if you have all your ducks in a row. If you're dispatch/ broker does all the paperwork correct. Never had any trouble here but never gave him a reason either

Coins Addict

2023-05

I had pretty bad experience last night while crossing the border from Us to Canada and there was only one officer over there he might be upset for his personal issues or job related I respect that people working hard doing nights but he was very rude and aggressive by attitude. The way he treated me I just feel like I am entering some B-grade country border not Canada. I was very disappointed and feel so low.

Rajinder Dhaliwal

2022-05

Long delays Sunday to Wednesday in morning take 1-2 hours just for crossing they should do something however staff is nice friendly

jeff y

2023-05

Wow! I really got lucky when I showed up at Officer Swansons window. She treated me with human to human language and attitude instead of officer to criminal language and attitude. I appreciate that. I would have left her a tip but a tip in this situation looks a bit like a bribe so I opted out. She deserves a raise....

Jessica Fuller

2022-05

The condescending attitude, the agriculture fee charged( on truck that does not haul agriculture), the xray inspection with no direction on what to do, and the disabled gate upon exit are just a few of the short comings of this crossing. Just because you work at the border doesn't mean you should be an indecent human being. US customs do better!

Joel Penner

2018-05

I always do my best to be friendly and decent to the border officers. But when they abuse their authority then my patience is tested. We just recently came back from Manitoba and come through the border. The official was very unfriendly and did not greet us when we drove up. It’s quite disappointing to drive up to your drive up to your own country’s border and get met by unfriendly officials.

snake charmer79

2022-05

My sister in law requested entry to care for her 90 year old vision impaired aunt because her normal caretaker had other family obligations for the following 2 weeks. She had a doctor's note as well as all required documentation. The border agents determined a 90 year old vision impaired woman has no need for care. The agents exact words were "you people should be able to find a different caretaker among yourselves" clearly referencing her easily identifiable ethnicity. Felt the bigotry loud & clear.

Shawn Albarghouthi

2018-05

I always treat government officers with utmost respect and in a friendly/serious manner. I travel a lot and can’t count the times I’ve flown and driven to Canada. Couple days after I came from a Mexico vacation and my skin was still tanned, I needed to visit my brother for 3 days in Manitoba. On my way back and at the US border I approached the window while I was taking my sunglasses off and placing them on my head, “Good morning” I said with my usual smile and handed him my American passport open on the page that contains my picture and info. The officer did not greet me back and got busy looking at my passport. His first weird question was, “Are you an American citizen?”. Inside me I asked, “Are you an officer of my country?” Out loud I replied, “yes sir”. 2nd weird question, “when did you come to America?” I replied, “20 years ago”. 3rd weird question, “what was your status when you came to America?” I replied, “I was too young to remember.” “Is this your car?” I calmly said, “yes sir”. “Let me see your car registration”. I said, “I don’t have one and I don’t know what that document looks like”. “Have you ever been pulled by the cops?” I said, “yes sir”. He said, “they ask you for drivers license and car registration” I said, “Not once in Minnesota have I been asked for this. They always ask for license and proof of insurance”. He said, “when you get your tabs renewed from the DMV that’s your vehicle registration, you know the DMV?” Inside I thought, “wow, he is throwing abbreviations...this guy is deep! And I’m supposed to feel stupid now”. To this question I decided to not answer and just looked in his eyes. I saw a coward and racist soul in there. These weren’t all the questions but some of the weird ones. I said coward because he took advantage of the authority he had and abused the power he was positioned to have, which citizens like me pay him for. His goal was not to check on the safety of the country but to delay me and make me feel like it was his personal country and not mine. And my goal was to be on my way as fast as possible. This is how racist officers get away with stuff like this.He said with frustration, “give me a minute man” and closed his window. Of course, he asked me to pull in. My car and I were searched (and I’m ok with this part at anytime), but what made me feel absolutely harrassed is that when I was asked to empty my pockets and I took out my headphones and my little notepad that has the title “To do list”, the officer made sure he read every task and note, which was personal.I was then asked to sit in a room while my car was being searched. After they finished, a 3rd officer came to the door and signaled to me to get up. I approached him and got out of the room and slowly walked towards my car as I was expecting some directions, however, now they are silent. I stopped, turned around and looked at the officer. He still looked at me and said nothing. I asked, “are we done here?” He gave me the answer that brings him to exctacy with a solid face, “you are free to go”. I was wondering where my passport was but didn’t feel it was my right to ask. I adjusted my seat since it was left all the way forward and the back was touching the steering wheel. As I was doing that I saw my passport on the dashboard along with my keys. I started my car and left without saying a word or hearing one.Nobody is more for security than me. Ask me a thousand reasonable questions and it’s my duty to answer them. Search the heck out of me and my car and I don’t care how long the process takes. However, not a single time-wasting stupid question should be allowed, no insults and making traveling citizens feel stupid should be there, no need to read every task I have in my notebook and my personal/business notes...all this wasn’t about the security of our country. Instead, it had everything to do with racist coward power-abusers, and I have no respect for those regardless of their ranks or who employs them. You make our country a 3rd world one little by little. What a disappointment!

MrShelange

2019-05

the old guy from US custom who gives you the stuff you bought from duty free very rude!!! you came from long trip back home to manitoba of course you have to buy something from duty free it was 2:AM before we checked to to border official we need to pick up stuff from duty free when i arrived at the small trailer at the border i stop and get ot from my car to give the receipt to get the items and the old custom guy i dont know what to call him!!! hes yelling at me " stay in the car " "stay in the car " very loud like i was did very wrong and was intemidated that i felt like i was going to do something bad ! i have my whole family inside the car my two kids were awaked they were excited going back home to winnipeg after long hours of drive! they heard very loudly what a custom guy yelling at me!!!! my kids where kind a shock" i dint know that if to late or 2AM in the morning you were not allowed to step out from your car" that guy i cant forget his face its kind da he has give me a very bad look after that yelling! he looked at me like i am stupid because i was just a BROWN guy that you cant trust when they step down the border...and when he handed me the items that i bought with two bottles of liquor and some chocolates he almost trowed at my face i was seating inside my car my wife and my two kids were saw it! if they dont want us to step out from our vehicle they should a note from outside their building we can read i can asure to them! these place needs an upgrade people here from costume needs to be retrained for... or just happen he saw us a minority person coming back to manitoba brown minority guys dont steo out in your vehicle to get your stuff from US duty free " you been warned US custom official in this border very rude and disgusted....

Chad Leier

2018-05

I don't think it is US customs/border patrol to be everyone's friend. At this station they do an awesome job controlling the nations border with common sense and professionalism. I made 2 trips today with complicated import export issues and I was helped by some very good people.I would recommend this crossing to anyone.Thank you

clementine kulikowski

2020-05

What was going on Oct 20, 2019 when approaching the Canadian Border and Customs entry the road was blocked and everyone was being re routed to an American official who requested travel documents and the reason for the trip to the USA. The Canadian license was checked and honestly I thought it was the Canadian customs because there was construction going on. I am assuming the stop was on the American side but did the officer or agent involved have the right to do this?

Godwin M

2023-05

Was racially profiled by officer stumberg at the US Border crossing and our freedom to travel was violated as an LPR of the United States over all officer stumberg needs to go back to class because he knows nothing about the laws and protective rights of an LPR and being detained for over 1hrs:45mins without a probable cause isn’t okay at all, just because two black males were traveling back home from visiting family members in Canada was suspicious to his knowledge.

Jack Loftus

2023-05

It's all about timing and making sure you've done your homework.I cross here a couple times a week as a trucker.Make sure you have my emanifest and passport ready. Know where you're going and what you're hauling.

navjot sohi

2023-05

Such a burden to people and US government as well.Been sitting all day inside building free and always big line ups for truck outside portal each and every day. Only 1 line open outta 4.Total shame.

Iowa Reviewers

2021-05

Likely the best border crossing experience I've had when driving back to the States from Canada, and I've done so in several states while traveling for vacations. Friendly CBP agent, and a quick inspection before proceeding.

Dr. Alexander-Martin Sardina

2017-05

We are tourists from Germany and just wanted quickly visit Emerson in Canada for a geocache find in order to get the country souvenir, for those who are into that game, too. The US boder patrol asked us what kind of jobs we do at home in Germany but weren't familiar with the job description of a consultant. Very funny. I guess that tourists from Europe are a rare thing here ... But all in all, they only have to do their job. Frankly, I don't want to to change with them. And they didn't even care for the apples we had with us (fruits are usually a problem when crossing Canadian/US borders and vice versa). Oh, one other positive thing: As part of our geocaching game, I had to take pictures of some of the border marker posts (google benchmarks) and neither the US officials nor the Canadians said a word. To sum it up, I can understand that officials on both sides can't be friendly all day long and it must also be quite boring to check people at a border. So, thank you for letting me take my benchmark pictures and stuff. Cheers from Hamburg, Germany.

mike roach

2017-05

I haul concert tours and I can honestly say this is the best crossing available both sides are very proffesional and courteous and make the crossing pleasant and as fast as possible just a all round great bunch I can't say enough good but keep up the great work officers both American and Canadian

Dan

2023-05

Single commercial lane what a joke! Now putting all the cars through the commercial lane as if it doesn't take forever to cross as it is !!!

Michael Hrisca

2018-05

Canadian agents are young and American border agents are much older. That's true for every US government agency. I see it at every crossing at airports, etc. A testimony of the fact that you have to climb a lot on the ladder of your success in America. You might get your dream job when you're old and grumpy. But come on USA can't you hire some young and pretty agents to be the face of the country???

N/A N/A

2024-01

Fast and easy (CROATIAN🇭🇷 id card)!