Cross Border Reporting

[DayDreamer41]

In the planning of a few trips for this coming season I have a couple of scenarios which I thought might make some interesting fodder.

Scenario #1 - Leaving our American club crossing the border to a Canadian marina, picking up Canadian passengers for a week of sailing in Canadian waters, then returning them to the same Canadian marina at the end of the trip. What happens should the Canadian border patrol stop us and ask for travel doc's?

Scenario #2 - Leaving our American club crossing to a Canadian marina and picking up American passengers for a week of sailing in Canadian waters, returning the American passengers to the same Canadian marina, the American passengers traveled over the border by car earlier and drove to the meeting place in Canada.

What happens should the Canadian border patrol stop us and ask for travel doc's?

Should the skipper call in to a Canadian check point and announce the boarding of passengers who had previously cleared customs and immigration by land?

I searched a bit last night on the net to see what kind of answers I could find for these questions and really couldn't find anything to clear up the mud.

Like I said some thought provoking fodder........

 

[BudGates]

My thought on the subject is that it would be better to go ahead and report it than to assume that you're okay and find out otherwise after getting stopped.

 

[Meriachee]

People legally in the country are free to do whatever they want. (yeah, sure) No different than us driving across the border and hopping on your boat for a sail. As long as you don't cross the boarder there's no issue.

 

[Jackdaw]

As long as you declare people on board when you first land in Canada, all those scenarios are fine. Just have everyone's docs in order.

 

[Sailor Sue]

Assuming you are entering Canada legally, when you check in with Canadian Customs you will be issused a number. If you encounter Canadian officials during your stay just give them the number. Your Canadian guests should already have their own proof of Canadian citizenship, so no problem.

If you are expecting non-Canadian guests have them explain their visit and the boat part, and make sure they also get some sort of entry documentation.

 

[Terry Cox]

We had a thread discussion on this topic some time ago covering PNW border crossings. Whether your area is the same, I suspect so, but FWIW here is the thread: https://forums.sailboatowners.com/i...g-the-border-into-british-columbia-ca.176562/

 

[Gunni]

How would the Canadian authorities know that I was who I said I was without documentation of having cleared out of the US?

 

[dlochner]

So long as everyone has crossed legally, you should be fine. If you are going to pick up US citizens who have driven to Canada, then you should mention this to the CBP when you clear in. They'll tell you what they want you to do.

A couple of years ago we were on a friend's boat in Canadian waters when the "really serious" CBP agents came up in their black uniforms, black go-fast RIB, etc. They asked for the owner's IDs and the CBP clearing number. They couldn't have cared less about my wife and I as we sat in the cockpit. Never asked who were or how we got there.

 

[dlochner]

How would the Canadian authorities know that I was who I said I was without documentation of having cleared out of the US?

When going to Canada, I have never cleared out of the US. Just sail over and give CBP a call on the 800 number. And they really prefer it if you remember your boat's registration number, that's how they keep track of you. But if you forget, they'll help you remember it.

 

[Gunni]

So when you come back to the US do you have to clear in with ICE?

 

[dlochner]

So when you come back to the US do you have to clear in with ICE?

Yep. There are several ways to do that. In some locations you can walk up to a ICE reporting station, in other places there are video phones that connect you to an ICE officer someplace, and there is the NEXUS program that is set up for frequent border crossings, call an 800 number and tell them who your are and where you are going.