I was going to offer advice about border crossings for Canadian-based comics creators who do US-based cons, but of course, it turns out to be more complicated than it seemed. I will reiterate my key point: you can't do paid work in the US & you shouldn't discuss doing so on unsecured channels. - ThreadSky

stacyking.bsky.social • 7 days ago

I was going to offer advice about border crossings for Canadian-based comics creators who do US-based cons, but of course, it turns out to be more complicated than it seemed.

I will reiterate my key point: you can't do paid work in the US & you shouldn't discuss doing so on unsecured channels.

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stacyking.bsky.social•7 days ago

Canadians don't need visas to enter the US as tourists. CUSMA allows for non-visa business travel in certain categories. Whether those categories apply to you depends on your work, education & what you'll be doing in the US.

stacyking.bsky.social•7 days ago

You can find details on CUSMA here. Looking through it, I'm not confident on how comics pros fit in. The requirement that the main payments & profits be located outside the US seems to imply that you can't use it for work done for a US-based publisher.

https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/cusma-aceum/temp_entry_united-states-sejour_temp_etats-unis.aspx?lang=eng

stacyking.bsky.social•7 days ago

Artists with a BA or a post-grad certificate + 3 years experience could qualify for the professional category of Graphic Designer. There doesn't seem to be anything applicable for writers: https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/cusma-aceum/text-texte/16.aspx?lang=eng

stacyking.bsky.social•7 days ago

I generally recommend when attending US cons that you:
- make clear you're not selling goods or being paid in any way;
- don't carry goods marked for sale with you;
- don't announce intent to offer paid commissions on-site. Ones arranged online, drawn & paid while you're in Canada should be ok.

stacyking.bsky.social•7 days ago

You can accept commissions at a con so long as you complete the work while in Canada and payment is delivered in Canada.

You can give people books, original artwork or prints as promotional items (perhaps as a thank-you for Patreon supporters?) but not sell.

stacyking.bsky.social•7 days ago

You should think about what the law allows and know how you're going to explain what you do at conventions before you reach the border. Knowing in advance how to explain yourself will reduce your nervousness and help your crossing go smoothly.

givemesometruth.bsky.social•3 days ago

One should stick as close to Matter of Hira as possible.

jeffreyellis.ca•7 days ago

I speak from personal experience when I say that if a Canadian has boxes of books in the car, those are considered merchandise, subject to applicable tariffs and duties, as well it needs a proper manifest and also means you need to use a commercial crossing

stacyking.bsky.social•7 days ago

Yep. You can try to claim that they are promotional giveaways but it's not a great idea and hard to justify if it's anything more than a single-issue comic.

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