Crossing borders means following the rules

Authored by Cindy Badley
 June 14, 2024

By Doug Jackson, GLCC Commodore

Crossing an international presents a boater with a list of check-in requirements that seems to change every time you turn around. But one thing is for sure: landing in a port in Canada requires checking-in with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) regardless of your status as a US or Canadian citizen returning to Canada.

If you then return to the US, you must check back in with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Keep in mind that the information provided here is correct to the best of our knowledge, but you, as the boat’s captain, are responsible for doing your own due diligence to ensure you are following the laws and procedures for crossing our borders.

Also, if you cross the border from the US into Canada (or from Canada into US waters) but don’t anchor or dock, but rather cruise back into your home waters – you are NOT required to check in. This applies to all the Great Lakes and its tributaries.

Checking into Canada

CBSA has a webpage for private boaters entering Canada: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/pb-pp-eng.html. This is important to review. 

The normal check-in process is by phone once you arrive at a marina. Call 888-CANPASS (888-226-7277) from a marine reporting site (nearly all marinas qualify). There are some very strict rules. It’s important to note that only the captain of the boat may leave the boat to make this call.

Restricted and prohibited goods include:

  • Firearms and ammunition
  • Plants and animals
  • Explosives
  • Fireworks
  • Cannabis (even though cannabis is legal in Canada, you cannot bring it in)

Once you check in, you will get a CBSA report number and are subject to a secondary inspection. When you call to check in, they will ask for:

  • Names of all people on board with date of birth and citizenship
  • Length and purpose of stay (If a US citizen)
  • Destination(s) Identification (passport) for each member aboard the boat

You will also be asked to declare goods brought into Canada. Typically, they ask about:

  • Cash over $10,000
  • Cigarettes and liquor (the limits are very small)
  • Anything else to declare

Failure to report may result in detention, seizure or forfeiture of your boat and/or monetary penalties.

Don’t try to escape this process. In the past CBSA used the ARRIVECAN app for personal boat arrivals – but it seems they now only are using this app for travelers entering Canada via commercial airlines. If everyone on board has a Nexus Card, you can check-in through your cell phone once you are in Canada waters and headed to a port. 

You are required to call in at least 30 minutes before arriving at a port but no sooner than 4 hours. Call the Nexus reporting phone number: 866-996-3987. For more information, click on this link:

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/travel-voyage/prog/nexus/how-utiliser-eng.html

Frankly, this is easier and faster than checking in at a marina. Please ensure you have your passports with you. If you are traveling with a pet – make sure you have proof of up-to-date rabies vaccination certificate, or they may quarantine the pet.

Entering the US after being in Canada

US Customs and Border Protection has a webpage for Pleasure Boat Reporting Requirements:

https://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers/pleasure-boat-overview

The master / captain of the vessel must report their arrival at the nearest CBP facility unless: They check in via the CBP Roam app. This is the preferred method to check in with a NEXUS Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit (I-68).

Nearly everyone now uses the CBP Roam app. This app can be downloaded free from the Apple or Android store. With the app, once you are in US waters, you fill out the app stating you have arrived, state who’s on board, ask for your Custom Decal number, etc. You “send” this info to CBP. They will acknowledge receipt of your entry request, review it, and then either:

  • Send you a note that you have been approved, or 
  • Connect with you via the app in real-time and ask questions, address any concerns. They may ask to visually see all passengers and may potentially instruct you to go to an inspection site. They also may just approve you after this contact has been completed. You will be given a reporting number to keep for your records to prove you checked in.

Travelers using the CBP Roam App may use the app to apply to become a Verified Traveler (this includes Nexus holders, and legacy programs such as SVRS, LBO, etc). 

If you have an older BR Number (Boat Reporting Number), this can be entered as well. Any of these systems will speed up your approval process and make it much less likely CBP will follow up with questions or force you to get an in-person inspection. 

Each person still needs his or her passport with them.

If traveling with a pet into the US, there are new reporting requirements effective Aug. 1,

2024. See: What Your Dog Needs to Enter the United States 

A couple of interesting items here:

  • The dog must be at least 6 months old.
  • The dog must have an implanted ISO microchip and its associated documentation
  • Have a completed CDC Dog Import Form (completed online).

The process can seem daunting but is required to move across our borders. Yet, exploring the other country is one of the benefits of cruising our Great Lakes.

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