Location: Bellingham, Washington State
Hi Everyone!
I hope you are all doing well! So I took a trip down to Bellingham this week to stock up on some items that I could not get here in Canada. I made stops at Trader Joe’s, Fred Meyer and Costco!
I know a lot of you used to make trips over the border to head to Costco. If you are missing browsing the aisles there, this post is for you. I took photos of as many items as I could before my phone ran out of batteries. There were so many items (about 500) that I had to split this post into two. I’m starting with the food items and the non-food items will be posted a little later.
I know some people have been asking about what you need to go down to the US now that the rules have changed regarding COVID-19 Testing Requirements upon returning to Canada by land border.
The main change that has been made is that you can now use your Rapid Antigen Test to return to Canada. The test must be taken outside of Canada and it must be administered or observed by a pharmacy, laboratory, healthcare entity or telehealth service. It also must be done the calendar day of your return or one calendar day before your arrival at the border crossing.
Luckily for us, the telehealth industry has filled the void. I went through Rapid Test Canada, who hooks you up with a nurse through video conference who will observe your rapid test by video conference. My appointment was at 11:20AM and I received an E-mail with a certificate you can use for your results by 11:45AM.
The whole procedure was easy and as a bonus, I was able to use the BTNX COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test I had purchased back in November for the tests! I was able to show the certificate to the Border Service Officer using my phone (it specifies that electronic proof of negative test is valid)
Nothing else regarding the border has changed, you still need to complete the forms on the ArriveCan App. You also need to have downloaded your proof of (double) vaccination. You will also need your Passport or Nexus Card.
When I arrived back to Canada, it looked like there was about 20 cars in line and there were no cars in the Nexus line. I believe if you have connected your ArriveCan app with your Nexus Card, you don’t need to show your ArriveCan App details. All I showed was my Nexus Card and my proof of negative test on my phone. I came back with $510 USD of groceries (no tobacco or alcohol) and I was just waved through.
I though the trip was worth it. Gas was $3.74 a gallon at the Costco Gas Station, and I was able to pick up lots of items that you just can’t buy in Canada.
Happy Shopping!
NEW FEATURE: CATEGORY FILTER & UPDATES
I’ve added a new feature where you can filter out your sales by Category! The three main categories I take photos are: Sale Items / Clearance Items / New & Interesting Items. To use the filter – just look for these icons at the start of the photos!
We have some big upgrades coming up that I feel will really help my fellow Costco shoppers, but I’ll keep you updated as we get closer to launch!!!
Again, these new features are only possible due to the support of our paid members! All the money from memberships are going towards improvements for the blog!
Happy Shopping!
CLICK HERE to visit Costco Bellingham – Trip Report, Rapid Tests and Non-Food Photos! (Part 2/2)
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All of your questions can be answered on the rapidtestcanada website. Also roaming is based on your cell phone package as I have a roam like home option and charges are $1.50 in total. I cross all the time without issue.
@Meghan. It seems there’s a typo. You forgot to add an extra few zeros to your total charges. And no, not all our questions are not answered on the site you mentioned.
Just a question….Did you go across for the day or did you stay overnight? I am just a bit confused because I was under the impression the test had to be done in the states 24 hours prior to crossing the border. If I am going across for the day, would I be able to test the same day at a pharmacy and cross back with the test results? Thanks.
I left at 9:00am and returned at 2:00pm the same day. I did my test in the Costco parking lot at 11:20am and showed the Border Services Officer my certificate of results on my phone.
Just an FYI. The BC government finally posted a video of how to administer the rapid test on their website.
The video makes it a less daunting and intimidating. However, I too would prefer to have it done at a pharmacy while in the US.
We can’t afford to pay the high cellular data roaming charges in the US and for a day trip, a US SIM card is not feasible.
Thank you for this helpful post! I plan on going sometime this month with pre-purchased test kits. =)
Thank you. It reminds me of what I’m missing in Canada. What a selection of yummies.
Anxiously awaiting part 2 🙂 Thanks for everything!!!
I can’t wait for part 2!
Point Roberts has an exemption and you don’t need any test to return to Canada but you need to be fully vaccinated and complete the ArriveCan app.
While gas prices are nowhere near the prices in Blaine and obviously Bellingham and there really is no shopping there, it’s a great alternative to save a few dollars on a tank of gas if you live further than Richmond. However, where the savings are to be had is you can get parcels shipped to Point Roberts. But CBSA is having everyone pay PST/GST and in many cases duty as well at the Point Roberts crossing. You won’t have the same luck here like you might at other crossings.
Some legalize here: SCHEDULE 1 (Subsections 2.1(2), 2.2(2), 2.21(2) and 2.3(1.1)) Exempted Persons — COVID-19 Molecular Test Before Entering Canada. Includes: TABLE 2 Entering by Land Item Persons. 18 A fully vaccinated person who enters Canada from the remote communities of Hyder, Alaska, Northwest Angle, Minnesota or Point Roberts, Washington
This post really made me miss Bellingham – Costco – wow lots of new products
Thanks for the info on going down to the states to shop. How do the telehealth nurses confirm that you’re doing the test while you’re in the states?
It is all done via video conference. I used my cell phone and did the test in my car.
Since you mentioned Fred Meyer and Trader Joes, will you be providing pics from those stores too? Oh, how many batteries does your phone have? I only have one battery in mine :p
I wish I was as adventerous as you. I downloaded the the instructions from the Province of BC website on how to use the rapid test kit. I found it terribly complicated and I couldn’t do it (properly) on my own, even if I’m guided by someone on the television or YouTube. I’d rather have a professional perform the test on me and do it right, the first time.
BTW, how much did you pay for the test kit and where? I image they might be in short supply in Northern Washington given the new rules where the PCR test is no longer required for full vaccinated day travellers.
Hi. Thanks for posting. However, there remains some confusion and missing crucial information.
It’s my understanding that you (the traveller) must purchase the test OUTSIDE Canada as per [travel.gc.ca] or the test must be authorized for sale or distribution in Canada or in the jurisdiction in which it was obtained.
Which brings up the obvious question, where exactly did you acquire the antigen test and for how much was it?
For us to determine if it’s feasible to take a day trip to the US, we need to know the following:
1. where we can obtain the test kit
2. what if any restrictions like age on obtaining the test kit such as age
3. where can we get tested especially if we can do so in person withOUT a cell phone. Roaming fees are ridiculous in the USA.
4., if there is a backlog or waiting list to obtain the product
5. and finally, how much does the test kit cost.
I hope you can address all of the above in the comments section, revise your post, or reply to my email.
Thank you
Michelle