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jwishart
06-10-2008, 04:42 PM
Where are the closest customs offices in the Gulf islands? I heard there is one on Pender, but I am not sure what marina it is at. The Admiral just got her passport today and we are ready to head up to Canada. We might possibly go for the 4th of July week instead of staying the whole time in the San juans.

Thanks! :)

Jeff
Randygh
06-10-2008, 05:01 PM
Sydney and Poet's Cove.
sunnydude2
06-10-2008, 07:48 PM
There are other 'phone in' places where you pull up to a dock and use your cell phone. Canoe Cove is north of Sydney and we have cleared there twice. If they want to board they tell you to wait on the dock for someone to come out from Sydney.
jwishart
06-11-2008, 05:59 AM
Do they have docks set aside for customs?
Kuredu
06-11-2008, 06:05 AM
Do they have docks set aside for customs?

Yes. On Pender it's at Poets Cove (as said above).
Nehalennia
06-11-2008, 07:30 AM
We go through Bedwell Harbour where Poet's Cove resort is all the time.

A phone at the dock, a nice friendly Marina to stay at. It's a great destination, and customs is very smooth.
jwishart
06-11-2008, 07:49 AM
Poets Cove seems to be the closest to where we will be going through. Is it pretty busy up in the Gulf islands during the 4th? Does Canada celebrate some sort of holiday that same week?

Thanks for all of your help!
Nehalennia
06-11-2008, 07:53 AM
Poets Cove seems to be the closest to where we will be going through. Is it pretty busy up in the Gulf islands during the 4th? Does Canada celebrate some sort of holiday that same week?

Thanks for all of your help!

Canada Day (aka Dominion Day) is on July 1st.
Kuredu
06-11-2008, 08:12 AM
Canada Day (July 1) is on Tuesday so I expect the weekend of June 27 - July 1 will be busy - it is also the first weekend after schools close. I don't think the weekend of July 4 will be any busier than any normal weekend in summer.

Where are you heading?
hurcoll
06-11-2008, 11:36 AM
Sydney Marina has a big area reserved (Dock F) for customs and they usually have a tent where you wait for the inspection (if any) and there is a dedicated phone to call in...
http://www.portsidney.com/images/map2BIG.jpg
Randygh
06-11-2008, 01:48 PM
We went through customs at Sydney last year. The agents at the tent were great. Very friendly and quick.
hfxjack
06-11-2008, 03:49 PM
The tent at Sidney is gone just a phone on the slip. They extended the slip where the tent used to be to gain more $pot$ and moved the tent in beside the office.
jwishart
06-11-2008, 05:58 PM
Canada Day (July 1) is on Tuesday so I expect the weekend of June 27 - July 1 will be busy - it is also the first weekend after schools close. I don't think the weekend of July 4 will be any busier than any normal weekend in summer.

Where are you heading?

I was thinking somewhere around Portland Island.
jwishart
06-18-2008, 06:05 AM
Do you need any paperwork if you take a dog over the border? Vaccination papers? :confused:
Randygh
06-18-2008, 07:25 AM
You need to have a current Rabies Vaccination Certificate for the dog or cat. If your pet is current on its rabies vaccination, but you have misplaced the certificate, contact your veterinarian for a copy of the the certificate. Pets less than 12 weeks old are too young to vaccinate for rabies. You do not need an international health certificate for the family pet.
SomeSailor
06-19-2008, 08:29 AM
I also got asked for the certificate... not the receipt for the vaccination.
Randygh
06-19-2008, 09:04 AM
It is up to the Customs officer if they want you to have a health certificate for your pet. Several years ago there was a big stink about Canada requiring a health certificate because some Canadian customs officers got ****y and turned some folks away for not having a health certificate. The Canadian law says only a rabies vacc certificate is required for family pet, however the Customs Officers judgement can supercede the written law. If the officer sees a dog that looks unhealthy he/she has enough evidence to require a current health certificate. Dogs or cats taken to Canada for breeding or commercial purposes (sale) need a health certificate. Pets aren't a big concern for communicable diseases. Livestock is another matter and is very, very closely monitored.

Health certificates are only good for 30 days. Rabies Certs are good for the duration of the vaccine, 1 or 3 years.
Go Aweigh2452
06-19-2008, 09:14 AM
Thanks for the reminder. Just called my vet for Cooper and they have my paperwork waiting to be picked up... I keep it on the boat... with our passports...
SomeSailor
06-19-2008, 10:45 AM
Yeah... I just went through that myself. The vet who gave Bo his last shot (year or so ago), has left their practice and didn't make the appropriate entry in their system. Since the cert requires a signature, the new vet had me bring him in for another before singing the certificate.

His logic was it was better to err on the side of conservative. I keep a laminated copy on the boat now and the original with our passports.