Entry Into Canada
Official Site

Major Customs Offices

Bedwell Harbor (South Pender Island) 5/1-8/30 9am-8pm;9/1-30 -9am-5pm. On standby 8pm-midnight, Closed after Sept 30. From midnight-8am there is a $54 fee. Phone (604) 629-3363

Victoria and Sydney manned 24 hours, all year.
Victoria (604) 363-3339 Sydney (604) 363-6644

White Rock manned 24 hours, all year. (604) 531-7581

Powell River Government dock (604) 485-2243 (please call ahead) 8:30am-4:30pm Mon-Fri. A service charge applies during off hours.

Nanaimo manned 24 hours, all year. (604) 754-0341

Procedures

Citizens and permanent residents of the United States do not require passports or visas to be admitted to Canada, and can usually cross without difficulty or delay. However, to assist officers in speeding the crossing, U.S. citizens should carry some identification papers showing their citizenship, such as an American passport, a certificate of naturalization, a certificate of citizenship, a certificate of birth abroad with a photo ID, a birth certificate with photo ID, a voter's registration card with photo ID or some other evidence of citizenship. Permanent residents of the United States who are not U.S. citizens are advised to carry their Resident Alien Card (U.S. Form I-151 or Form I-551).

Canada has put in place measures in order to reduce parental or other forms of abduction. Consequently, travelers should:

• carry identification for children of all ages, similar to those mentioned above;

• have a letter of permission from the child's parent or legal guardian when traveling with children who are not legally their own;

• carry copies of legal documents regarding custody rights if they share custody; and

• have their own children in the same vehicle if traveling with a group of vehicles, when they arrive at the border.

From other countries via the United States

All persons other than U.S. citizens or legal, permanent residents of the United States, require a valid passport or an acceptable travel document. Some persons require a visa to enter Canada. Visitors should direct their inquiries regarding visa requirements and valid travel documents to the Canadian Embassy, High Commission or consulate in their home country before departure for the United States. Applications for visitor's visas made to the Canadian Embassy or Consulates in the United States may result in delays.

Typically, a Canadian Customs officer will ask travelers to provide the following information for each person on board. It is suggested that you write the following information on a sheet of paper and take it, along with your charter agreement to the Customs office or phone.

• purpose and length of stay in Canada

• full name

• address

• birth date

• citizenship

• vessel make, length, type (power or sail)

• U.S. documentation number or State registration number

After docking your boat have your crew remain on board until you receive clearance

Log the Canadian clearance number for later reporting to US customs.

Personal baggage

Visitors may bring into Canada certain goods as personal baggage free of duties, provided all such items are declared to Canada customs on arrival and are not subject to restriction.

Common things to avoid

Additional quantities of alcoholic beverages and tobacco products--up to the provincial limit--may be imported into Canada on payment of duties plus provincial fees and taxes, at the port of entry.

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Source: Travel Information (for visitors from the U.S.A.) 1995-1996, Canadian Tourism Commission, ISBN 0-662-23639-4, Cat. No. C86-44/1-1995E

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Re-Entry Into The USA
Official Site

Major customs offices

Normal hours are 8:00am - 5:00pm

Friday Harbor 378-2080, usually manned, call the 800 number after hours

Roche Harbor same phone and policies as Friday Harbor

Bellingham 734-5463 no customs dock

Point Roberts 945-2314

Blaine 332-6318

Procedures

After docking your boat have your crew remain on board until you receive clearance

Bring the number from the Customs User Fee sticker attached to the aft side of the binnacle, just below the wheel to confirm the previous payment of the fee. Also bring the Canadian clearance number.

Log the release number given you by Customs for your protection.

Personal baggage

Visitors may return with articles valued up to $200 if returning within 48 hours (family members may not combine their exemptions). If returning after 48 hours, each person may bring in articles valued up to $400, including 1 liter of alcohol beverages, 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars. (family members may combine their exemptions) Duty is based on the value exceeding the $400 exemption. Avoid agricultural products.