Border crossing?

[lokeefe]

I'd like to get some advice on crossing the border between the Gulf Islands and the San Juans. I picked up the Customs and Border Protection "Reporting Requirements" booklet and have ordered the required fee decal for boats larger than 30 feet.

Now I am wondering if it is worth signing up for one of the trusted traveler programs - I-68 or nexus? As far as I can tell, both allow you to report in by phone (at least on the US side), and both require making a trip down to a customs office for an interview, etc. The nexus card is good for 5 years, while the I-68 needs to be renewed each year.

Are either of these worth doing? What has your experience been crossing the border during the prime boating season?

Advice much appreciated.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Obviously we don't have a +30 but have spoken to many who have. It's worth it if you plan to do several crossings a year. But even then I have seen nexus holders boarded and spending as much time as others without nexus and I 68 holders. Plus if nexus, you are required to set up your report time in Canada and must arrive within 10 or 15 mins (I forget which). If you exceed that time frame you will or may be boarded anyway. I saw this happen in Victoria at the customs dock. We got in to report after the nexus boat did and left way before the customs were done with them.

[MartySchwartz]

The other thing to keep in mind is that everyone on board must have the Nexus (is the I-68 even available anymore?) card. If even one person does not then you still have to pull into the Customs dock. We used the I-68 several years ago and we were able to call in once we crossed into US waters. In retrospect I don't know if that one use was worth the extra expense and time required to get it.

Marty.........................

[bradvo]

My wife and I used to use the I-68 until a couple years ago, got a little fed up with the extra cost but did enjoy the convenience of just calling in. Our friends have Nexus and have never had issues, but it takes more time to get one, good point made above if you go several times a year it makes sense . I could not get cell phone signal once until I was in sight of the US customs dock and noticed it was wide open. Decided then to bag the extra expense, no real regrets, it has all worked out. But DO have your border crossing decal ahead of time, this will save all sorts of time at the customs office for you and the agent.

[Randygh]

What is a border crossing decal? Last time we went to Canada, we cleared Canadian customs in Victoria and US customs at Friday Harbor. We didn't have a decal. Canadian customs assigned us a number that was displayed on the dockside helm window. When we cleared at Friday Harbor, I gave them my Canadian number, answered a few questions and had the Admiral look in the camera with her passport. We didn't even walk up to the customs office.

[1northernstar]

We have Nexus and don't regret having it. And not only is it good for water crossings, its good for land crossings too.
With border crossing waits always pushing 30-60 minutes, we're thru in under 10 minutes.

[lokeefe]

What is a border crossing decal? Last time we went to Canada, we cleared Canadian customs in Victoria and US customs at Friday Harbor. We didn't have a decal. Canadian customs assigned us a number that was displayed on the dockside helm window. When we cleared at Friday Harbor, I gave them my Canadian number, answered a few questions and had the Admiral look in the camera with her passport. We didn't even walk up to the customs office.

Randy, it is required for boats 30 ft and over, showing that you paid a $27.50 fee mandated by law some time ago.

Larry

[waclark57]

Here's a link to the info on Border Decals (http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/user_fee/user_fee_decal.xml)

[Randygh]

Thanks for the info and link. We're planning a trip to Canada July 15. We want to set pots in Garrison Bay when the season opens on the 15th, pull pots by 1000 hrs then head to Sydney for customs then on down to Victoia. I think we can get through Canadian customs quicker in Sydney because there probably won't be as many boats waiting to call in. We have slip reservations at the Coast hotel for the 15th & 16th. I contacted Canadian Fisheries and Oceans about bringing live crab into Canada and CFO said we wouldn't need a tidal water license to bring in any crab caught. My plan is to keep the crab alive and cook them Sat night for dinner because we won't have time to cook them Friday. CFO told me to contact Canadian customs to see if it is OK to bring in live crab. I should hear back from them in several days. :?:

[lokeefe]

We're planning to do similar, but probably on or around August 1st. We'll head up from Seattle on Sunday the 31st and see how far into the San Juans we make it (via the inside route). We were planning to enter Canada at Sydney the next day and either go back to Sidney Spit or around to Butchart/Tod inlet.

[Pack66Dad]

My wife and I just got approved for our NEXUS cards. I guess I better find out about this decal thing too.....

[Fred P]

Randy,

How long are you going to be on the salt water in July? We are headed up on the 31st for about ten days. It would be nice if we could meed face to face as we are coming and going.

Fred P..............

[fishaman]

I wonder if having a NEXUS card will allow to fish at anchor in Canadian waters. Legally, it is not allowed to anchor behind the border without clearing customs. I have heard stories about fishermen forced to go to Victoria to register because they were fishing at Coyote bank. With a NEXUS card, is it possible to cross the border to the Canadian side of the bank, clear customs just by making a call, and start fishing?

[Randygh]

Fred--My bro and I will be in the Gulf Islands until July 24 then back to work.

[Fred P]

Randy,

It looks like we will have to meet up some other time.

Fred...............

[1northernstar]

I wonder if having a NEXUS card will allow to fish at anchor in Canadian waters. Legally, it is not allowed to anchor behind the border without clearing customs. I have heard stories about fishermen forced to go to Victoria to register because they were fishing at Coyote bank. With a NEXUS card, is it possible to cross the border to the Canadian side of the bank, clear customs just by making a call, and start fishing?
Alex,
Clearing into Canada with Nexus, you need to call in up to 4 hrs prior and tell them where you will be clearing and what time you will be there( +/- 15 min). They will give you a clearance number at that time. Upon your arrival at said reporting location, you tie up and wait 5 minutes. If you're not approached by Canadian Customs, you are free to leave.

So basically, you have to land at a Customs reporting location. You can't clear by phone and then just go fishing in CA waters, and then return to the US.

However, I would think you could call 4 hrs prior and give them an arrival in 4 hrs, then go fish in CA waters, then call back and update your arrival time. But you'd still have to land at a Canadian Customs reporting location. Yet, this might raise suspicion and increase your odds of being met at the dock by a Customs agent.

[stargazerwa]

I have cleared customs twice in Victoria in July and have not had to wait for dock space or the phone booth. I have cleared only once in Sidney and had only a short wait. I would not waste the extra fuel unless Sidney is on your itinerary. Clearing from the US to Canada has always been relatively quick for us. Its returning back to the US that seems to take longer, Roche has more agents and lots of boats and Friday Harbor seems to be hit or miss. I have been boarded twice at Roche and never in Canada.

Victoria is one of my favorite places, lots for everyone to do. We have gone twice and stayed in the Coast Victoria Harbourside Marina, a short walk on a nice path to town. Staying on the government docks looks like fun too.

[fishaman]

Alex,
Clearing into Canada with Nexus, you need to call in up to 4 hrs prior and tell them where you will be clearing and what time you will be there( +/- 15 min). They will give you a clearance number at that time. Upon your arrival at said reporting location, you tie up and wait 5 minutes. If you're not approached by Canadian Customs, you are free to leave.

So basically, you have to land at a Customs reporting location. You can't clear by phone and then just go fishing in CA waters, and then return to the US.

However, I would think you could call 4 hrs prior and give them an arrival in 4 hrs, then go fish in CA waters, then call back and update your arrival time. But you'd still have to land at a Canadian Customs reporting location. Yet, this might raise suspicion and increase your odds of being met at the dock by a Customs agent.

Thank you for clearing it for me, it looks like landing at a Canadian customs location is unavoidable. So its only drift fishing for halibut if no visit to Canadian ports is planned :(