Stevin said:
Soooooo.... I inquired with Canada Customs regarding importing my partners vehicle. We ended up getting on the topic of "flag-polling" and she was telling me that it's not enough to just go to the boarder as that is a "neutral zone" that we actually have to leave the neutral zone and be in US before returning. Huh? How have I never heard of this? Anyone wanna weigh in on this and help me out? Thank you.
This means you can't just do what used to be allowed. Immediately before the US border post is going to be a 'last chance to re-enter Canada' lane, which turns sharply into a U, and joins the road from the US towards the Canadian border post. (Applies to major road crossings. Equivalent on minor road crossings is doing a three point turn while between the two of them). It used to be okay to use that road, and simply present at the Canadian border post, hence the term 'flagpoling', as the flag of the country was normally inside this road, so you would go to the border, drive around the flagpole, and return.
For some time, people have been required to physically present at the US border, and either enter the USA, or get an administrative refusal, before re-entering Canada having left Canada (whereas in the original scenario, you would re-enter without leaving).