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Crossing the border?

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/05/2006 : 15:08:32

We have been discussing portapotty regs for Canada and are they being regged out? What does it take to cross the border now? We were told last summer that we had to have passports by both sides and have heard that might not be true. What does it take to cross the border? Going up to BC in April for my dad's 100th, the old sailor, who passed on the love of sailing and boating to his whole family.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2006 : 15:45:15

As of right now, U.S. citizens do not need a passport to enter Canada, but you will need some proof of citizenship (passport or birth certicificate).

See [url="http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/regional/regional_1170.html"]Tips for Traveler's to Canada[/url]

As for entering Canada via recreational boat, there are two basic ways to enter Canada. Frequent traveller's to Canada might use the [url="http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/canpass/canpassprivateboat-e.html"]CANPASS - Private Boats: Telephone Reporting[/url] to enter Canada.

Another option is to just call in using the [url="http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/canpass/privateboat-e.html"]Telephone Reporting for Recreational Boaters[/url] program.

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2006 : 21:58:47

This is the way we have always crossed with a birthcertificate and a picture ID so something changed. Last summer we crossed at least five times and each time at both boating and by car we were told by the border inspectors by Jan 1st we had to have our passport. This was crossing into BC at Sumas and Roche Harbor, Wn,Customs Dock. We live over 700 miles from the border so it's important to know just what is expected. I do use the Waggoner Cruising Guide web site for checking the regulations but it's comforting to hear what others experience in this matter. The Birthday Party is on the 15 which is also a big day it that other matter.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/05/2006 : 22:25:44

Supposedly, The US doesn't require that you have a passport when going to mexico, the bahamas or Canada until 2007. However, that doesn't mean the Canadians won't require one.

Being right on the border, so to speak, I've heard a million versions of what is and isn't acceptable, legal, allowable and possible. My advice - (or advise for the canucks) is if you have passports, use them. If your traveling with kids under 18, have proof they belong to you. If you don't have passports, call both US customs and immigration and also the Canadian counterparts.

One country can say you don't need anything come on over, the other one might require a note from your mom...

DW

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sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 00:58:23

Thanks for the input. Will follow through with your suggestions. We will be planning a cruise for 2007 and will have to be checking again for the regulations. I do have my passport and that was very interesting process.

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Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 01:17:55

Two summers ago my wife and I traveled to the Gulf Islands (just north of the San Juans) with our youngest daughter and a girl friend of hers for 2 weeks. They were both 16 years old. We entered Canada from Stewart Island to Pender Island. The Canadian check-in involved picking up a direct connect phone in the Pender Island Harbor office and talking to an agent somewhere else in the country. She gave me a permit number that we hand printed and posted in the starboard window. That is the whole procedure.

Coming back into the USA at Roche Harbor was a little more complicated. The Immigration Agent was fairly stern and to the point. When I produced passports for my family and birth certificate, photo ID, and a letter from the friends Mother giving us permission to take her across borders and medical release, he became instantly more agreeable and even friendly. His comment to me was "Thank you for being so well prepared".

My advise is to be as prepared as you possibly can, speak to Immigration personel with respect and honesty, even humble yourself if they are in a bad mood. They have a job to do and they take it seriously, so should we.

Have a great trip, God bless your father on his 100th birthday.

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DanM
Captain

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USA
256 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 12:14:22

Ed's post is right on the money.
We cross the border frequently by car (at least twice a week in the summer and often just for dinner in other seasons). It is 12 miles into Ontario to my club, BCC, and family summer homes. We respect the seriousness of the inspectors' role and have our passports and other papers ready, even though a drivers licence will do. "Yes,sir".."thank you sir/ma'am" is appreciated. Yes, they do want pictureID and citizenship proof on everyone in your party, especially young guests or grandchildren.
On boat crossings, we use the CANPASS phone-in system promptly ashore. The first time, I left the NY vessel registration card on the boat and could not remember the number. I was given 1/2 hour. After my return trip from the mooring, I was surprised when they pulled up a file on the previous owner's crossings. They had all the boat info: permanent head, berths, galley, etc. and updated their file with our personal data, and the new 4-stroke. I was read the rules for having alcohol, length of stay, etc., received a number to post in the starboard window, and welcomed to have a nice vacation. There is no requirement to report your departure. But, it was blowing too hard on our planned day of departure, so I called CANPASS. They were very friendly, saying they did not expect anyone to take risks just to comply with the date, and gave me an extra week if I wanted it. They weren't even concerned that I crossed the border three times by car during those two weeks.
On returning to the USA, we used the Border Security video telephone reporting system. They were very official and asked lots of questions, showing pleasure with each of our passports, which we were asked to hold up beside our faces for the camera. We are lucky to have the video phone at the Buffalo harbor. They are about 100 miles apart.
We don't want to pay for NEXUS since we have passports. There is a lot of political wrangling about the new PASS card that will be required by 2008, citing of restraint of trade and cost.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 12:21:05

run silent run deep

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/06/2006 : 22:55:35

I got a good quote from that movie, but if I post it right after Franks post, you'd all take it the wrong way......

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