Newbie border question

C

colobear

New member
As we live on Whidbey Island we will (once we get the boat :D ) likely be going to Canada quite a bit. I'm not sure about customs. What do we have to do? Do we clear with U.S. customs at Anacortes or Friday Harbor on the way out? How about if we had not planned to go to Canada but change our minds? What happens if we just enter Canadian waters but do not land? Do we need some kind of forms? With NAFTA in place what, if anything, do we have to declare? What do we do on the way back? Etc. Etc. We have passports and cross over the land border fairly routinely but don't really understand this on a boat business very well.

Thanks.

Colobear
 

Colobear, The Nexus program is the way to go IMHO. It's a joint program with US and Canadian Border Protection. You'll need some lead time as it involves an application and a trip to Blaine for photos. Then you can phone in for clearance on most occasions.

It's all explained at www.getnexus.com

The alternative is a Can-Pass from Canada and an I-68 card from US for more money.
Happy cruising, Roger
Dreamer
 
If you want to check into Canada in person, you can go to Port Sydney or Bedwell (or other port of entry) and dock at the customs dock and call Canada Customs on a special phone to clear in. They will ask some questions about who is onboard, how much alcohol and tobacco you have, and any pets. If your answers are right they will give you a clearance number and you can go on your way. However, they can require you to remain at that dock while they send an officer to check you out in person.

Returning to the USA is similar. Dock at the customs dock at Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, or other port of entry and use the phone to answer similar questions.

Because Canada is not at war, their customs agent are not as uptight as the US Customs. (my opinion)

We have entered Canada almost every year since 1987 and have not had any problems.

Check out www.waggonerguide.com for the latest updated as to customs procedure. Or call US Customs in Blaine for information.
 
BTW - If you just enter Canadian waters but do not land OR come in close contact with a "hovering boat" (e.g. something that looks like a potential for a drug or person transfer) then you do not need to contact customs on either side. However, when in Canadian waters you still have to meet the Canadian coast guard requirements. They are a bit different than the US requirements. In particular:
* The throwable requirements are a bit different - e.g. the seat cushion throwable that the US accepts wll not meet Canadian requirements
* The Canadians require a self bailing device or manually operated bilge pump on most boats
* for most boats with both a stove and gas engines, two fire extinguishers are required

Take a look at this site for the relevant info.

Roger
 
Thanks to all who have helped this newbie begin to understand the vagaries of the border crossing business. So no garlic, no citrus. There goes my Puget Sound Orange Garlic Smoothie. Darn. :D

The Brats are the best.

Colobear
 
colobear":3trfuixu said:
So no garlic, no citrus. There goes my Puget Sound Orange Garlic Smoothie.
Click to expand...
And well it might! :lol:

Going north, it's pretty much a no-go for any fruit or vegies (even spuds) which can be grown in Canada. Ditto going south, for stuff that can be grown in the States. In any case, declare what you have ... the penalties for trying to sneak stuff across are pretty stiff compared to the cost of the produce.

Booze is a touchy one -- be sure to be square on that. I think you are allowed a liter and a half of wine/person, or a liter of hard liquor or a case of beer, going north.
 
Another issue is I.D. for return. I've never gone through U.S. customs when they didn't do it in person, and they require proof of citizenship for everyone on board. That generally means a birth certificate (or naturalization certificate or green card) or a passport. Drivers license won't do. Nexus might alleviate that, but I understand regs are changing in the next couple years, and all will require passports.

Jim
 
Part of the problem is the Feds don't even seem to know what they want - or keep changing their minds. The latest requirements (http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/press_releases/012006/01062006.xml) now exclude a reporting requirement if you have merely engaged in fishing (or anchored) in Canadian waters (see the mid 2005 rule here which includes these conditions and was being promoted by Customs officers at the Seattle Boat Show http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/fact_sheets/travel/fact_sheet_boaters.xml). My advice is simply call US Customs _before_ you leave the US, tell them what you intend to do, and proceed accordingly.

BTW, do not return to the US with ANY MEAT of any kind - even if you purchased it in the US before going to Canada. Here's the link (at least for this week): http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/questions/ (click on "Bringing Food into the US").

Here's a link to the Canadian info: http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/canpass/privateboat-e.html and CANPASS: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/travellers.html
 
rogerbum":2hf8pzil said:
However, when in Canadian waters you still have to meet the Canadian coast guard requirements. They are a bit different than the US requirements.
Click to expand...

It is my understanding, both from having reviewed the Canada Shipping Act and having spoken with an Ontario Provincial Police boating safety official, that as long as your craft complies with the Coast Guard requirements of the country in which the boat is normally kept and operated (i.e. - the US), you do not have to comply with Canadian Coast Guard requirements.
Al
 
I have friends who have been boarded by Canadian CG while fishing in Canadian waters and the Canadian CG expected them to meet the Canadian requirements. Regardless of what is legally required the guys in the field may have different expectations. My attitude is that meeting both requirements is not a bad idea anyway as it only adds an extra level of safety. For instance, the Canadians require

" One buoyant heaving line no less than 15 m (49’3”) in length

OR

One (1) approved lifebuoy with an outside diameter of 610 mm or 762 mm that is attached to a buoyant line no less than 15 m (49’3”) in length"

While the U.S. lets us get away with a seat cushion like device with no line attached. IMHO, the Canadian requirement is much more sensible than the U.S. one as it provides a mechanism for safer retrieval of someone in the water.
 
I would go so far as to say I.D. for the return is the ONLY issue (well, assuming you are not smuggling drugs, liquor, firearms, gold, etc.) - law yet or not, you are asking for trouble if you don't have a passport.


Aiviq":2zhsyt5o said:
Another issue is I.D. for return. I've never gone through U.S. customs when they didn't do it in person, and they require proof of citizenship for everyone on board. That generally means a birth certificate (or naturalization certificate or green card) or a passport. Drivers license won't do. Nexus might alleviate that, but I understand regs are changing in the next couple years, and all will require passports.

Jim
Click to expand...
 
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