Just to let you know I just made my trip from Port Clinton to Lake Huron. The first night we stayed in Windsor I learned that when you dock in Canada the person in charge has to call customs first before youdo anything! everyone stays on board untill you call Igot a warning letter. Also I understand we need a I68 form which I dont have yet. Its a background check from our customs. (finger prints and all) The second night went better in Sarnia.Day three sailed into Lexington and checked back into US customs ok. Iam going to our customs next week will keep you posted or maybe someone has Craig
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
M
Michael O'
Customs Gestapo in Windsor
Craig, now you now why so many sailors avoid going into Windsor, Canada. It's not worth the hassle. They assign customs people to watch the docks for American sailboats and pounce if you don't check in fast enough for their liking. God forbid, somebody use the bathroom or shower before calling in. I'm surprised they didn't fine the skipper at least $100 US in cash. I have seen it happen. They love to throw their weight around and threaten to impound your boat because you didn't call in fast enough. Unfortunately, now after 9/11 they can claim it's for national security. I'm all for obeying the rules, but I have observed their attitude in the past and it has nothing to do with catching Osama. The gestapo in Windsor seem to have an anti-U.S. bias and love to hassle the "rich boater Americans". Do yourself a favor. Get that I-68 and avoid Windsor whenever possible.
Craig, now you now why so many sailors avoid going into Windsor, Canada. It's not worth the hassle. They assign customs people to watch the docks for American sailboats and pounce if you don't check in fast enough for their liking. God forbid, somebody use the bathroom or shower before calling in. I'm surprised they didn't fine the skipper at least $100 US in cash. I have seen it happen. They love to throw their weight around and threaten to impound your boat because you didn't call in fast enough. Unfortunately, now after 9/11 they can claim it's for national security. I'm all for obeying the rules, but I have observed their attitude in the past and it has nothing to do with catching Osama. The gestapo in Windsor seem to have an anti-U.S. bias and love to hassle the "rich boater Americans". Do yourself a favor. Get that I-68 and avoid Windsor whenever possible.
P
Peter Milne
Over Sensitive?
At the risk of appearing oversensitive, US customs has the same rule. The captain of the vessel must report to US customs with the full crews' papers before anyone else can step off the boat. My experience entering the US at Roche Harbour, WA has varied from courteous to intimidating. Luck of the draw I guess. I am wondering what the routine will be like this summer after 9/11. Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
At the risk of appearing oversensitive, US customs has the same rule. The captain of the vessel must report to US customs with the full crews' papers before anyone else can step off the boat. My experience entering the US at Roche Harbour, WA has varied from courteous to intimidating. Luck of the draw I guess. I am wondering what the routine will be like this summer after 9/11. Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
B
Bill Murray
sorry
sorry I forgot to warn you. i didn't know you wanted to land on the "other side" of the border. to enter Canada you only need a phone number and a phone - even a cell phone - but you do need to call FIRST! Glad you had a good trip. i am just up the lake 10 miles at Port Sanilac Marina. If you get up here - look me up. Lots of Hunters up here. Bill Murray Good Faith H29.5
sorry I forgot to warn you. i didn't know you wanted to land on the "other side" of the border. to enter Canada you only need a phone number and a phone - even a cell phone - but you do need to call FIRST! Glad you had a good trip. i am just up the lake 10 miles at Port Sanilac Marina. If you get up here - look me up. Lots of Hunters up here. Bill Murray Good Faith H29.5
S
Steve
Proper procedure for border crossing in a boat
The proper procedure for border crossing in a boat (Canada/US) is landing at an approved marina on the Canadian side. Only the master can leave the boat to call in. Perfered method is using a land-line, but in some areas cell phones are acceptable (Detriot River, St. Clair River & Lake Huron cell phones are OK). Once cleared, then all can leave the boat. Alternative is to enroll in the Canpass program that allows you to call up to four hours prior to landing. Once cleared, you are cleared until you return to the US. Remeber to write down your clearance number, and keep it available. On the US side, you need to clear both Customs and Immigration. Immigration is done with a an I-68 prior to departure. One I-68 for every perrson on board. This can obtained at a port of entry. Alternative in around Lake Erie and a few other places are the video check-in teminals. Customs clearance is different depending on the size of the boat. 30' and over require a decal which can be obtained at a port of entry or by mail. All boats are be required to call Customs with or without a decal upon return. To come from Canada to the US and then return, reverse the procedure, but plan a car trip prior to your first crossing to obtain the I-68's and decal. See link for specific info related to Great Lakes. Happy boating.
The proper procedure for border crossing in a boat (Canada/US) is landing at an approved marina on the Canadian side. Only the master can leave the boat to call in. Perfered method is using a land-line, but in some areas cell phones are acceptable (Detriot River, St. Clair River & Lake Huron cell phones are OK). Once cleared, then all can leave the boat. Alternative is to enroll in the Canpass program that allows you to call up to four hours prior to landing. Once cleared, you are cleared until you return to the US. Remeber to write down your clearance number, and keep it available. On the US side, you need to clear both Customs and Immigration. Immigration is done with a an I-68 prior to departure. One I-68 for every perrson on board. This can obtained at a port of entry. Alternative in around Lake Erie and a few other places are the video check-in teminals. Customs clearance is different depending on the size of the boat. 30' and over require a decal which can be obtained at a port of entry or by mail. All boats are be required to call Customs with or without a decal upon return. To come from Canada to the US and then return, reverse the procedure, but plan a car trip prior to your first crossing to obtain the I-68's and decal. See link for specific info related to Great Lakes. Happy boating.
G
Gary Wyngarden
Can'tPass
We received a letter in the mail about a month ago from Canadian Customs reinstituting the CANPASS program and extending our permit for six months. Memorial Day weekend we went to Ganges on Saltspring Island in British Columbia. We were able to "clear" customs using our cell phone and CANPASS number. However, even though we were assigned a clearance number, we were directed to Bedwell Harbor (the nearest customs clearance port) to receive a piece of paper with the clearance number on it. They asked no questions and did no checking on the boat--just gave us the piece of paper. Kind of defeats the purpose for having a call in option though. BTW we have found the Canadian Customs people extremely courteous and easy to deal with. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
We received a letter in the mail about a month ago from Canadian Customs reinstituting the CANPASS program and extending our permit for six months. Memorial Day weekend we went to Ganges on Saltspring Island in British Columbia. We were able to "clear" customs using our cell phone and CANPASS number. However, even though we were assigned a clearance number, we were directed to Bedwell Harbor (the nearest customs clearance port) to receive a piece of paper with the clearance number on it. They asked no questions and did no checking on the boat--just gave us the piece of paper. Kind of defeats the purpose for having a call in option though. BTW we have found the Canadian Customs people extremely courteous and easy to deal with. Gary Wyngarden S/V Shibumi H335
J
jane
Hold on now Michael...
It is unfortunate that some people have had a bad experience sailing into Canadian ports. Its true that some immigration officials the world over have inflated attitudes. But before you all start labeling and assuming that Canadians have a permanent case of "rich boater American" envy or some such trash, I suggest you get a reality checkup. First, everyone (American or not) has to follow the same procedures when entering Canada. As a returning Canadian, I have to call before anyone can leave the boat. Its a border. Second, relate this to any other border crossing. "Uhh, excuse me officer but we'd be happy to show you our passports and papers just after we nip into your country, take a shower and pee". Try that next time you cross any border. Third, I don't know what this I-68 thing is but it would appear that you need to be fingerprinted like common criminals to go in and out of your own country. (please excuse the hyperbole, I couldn't help myself). Fourth, don't assume that US immigration is all peaches and cream. In hundreds of crossings between me and my partner for business and pleasure, we have met: no resistence; been grilled, searched, interogated; and refused entry. In all cases there was actually nothing amiss, its just a lottery. Did the officer just come from a tour on the Mexican border (i.e., will I need to bend over)? Do they like the color of my hair/skin/clothes? Did the computer pick me? ... Summary: I still travel. I still visit the US and other countries. You however, should probably continue to avoid Windsor. Happy sailing.
It is unfortunate that some people have had a bad experience sailing into Canadian ports. Its true that some immigration officials the world over have inflated attitudes. But before you all start labeling and assuming that Canadians have a permanent case of "rich boater American" envy or some such trash, I suggest you get a reality checkup. First, everyone (American or not) has to follow the same procedures when entering Canada. As a returning Canadian, I have to call before anyone can leave the boat. Its a border. Second, relate this to any other border crossing. "Uhh, excuse me officer but we'd be happy to show you our passports and papers just after we nip into your country, take a shower and pee". Try that next time you cross any border. Third, I don't know what this I-68 thing is but it would appear that you need to be fingerprinted like common criminals to go in and out of your own country. (please excuse the hyperbole, I couldn't help myself). Fourth, don't assume that US immigration is all peaches and cream. In hundreds of crossings between me and my partner for business and pleasure, we have met: no resistence; been grilled, searched, interogated; and refused entry. In all cases there was actually nothing amiss, its just a lottery. Did the officer just come from a tour on the Mexican border (i.e., will I need to bend over)? Do they like the color of my hair/skin/clothes? Did the computer pick me? ... Summary: I still travel. I still visit the US and other countries. You however, should probably continue to avoid Windsor. Happy sailing.
M
Michael O'
Canadians/Jane
Jane, I make no assumptions about "Canadians". I do make very specific observations about the employees of the Customs Department in the port of Windsor, Ontario. My father was born in Canada, we have summer property in Canada, I prefer to spend my cruising vacations in Canadian waters. I have dealt with border crossings hundreds of times by car and by boat. The only place I have witnessed Customs officers timing boaters is in Windsor. The only place I have witnessed Customs officers shaking down boaters for cash money (I mean "fines") is in Windsor, Ontario. Beauty, eh.
Jane, I make no assumptions about "Canadians". I do make very specific observations about the employees of the Customs Department in the port of Windsor, Ontario. My father was born in Canada, we have summer property in Canada, I prefer to spend my cruising vacations in Canadian waters. I have dealt with border crossings hundreds of times by car and by boat. The only place I have witnessed Customs officers timing boaters is in Windsor. The only place I have witnessed Customs officers shaking down boaters for cash money (I mean "fines") is in Windsor, Ontario. Beauty, eh.
S
Stephen Ord
It happens all over the world
I am both a Canadian and a British citizen and carry passports for both. I have been hassled both going into the US and Canada. It does not seem to matter where I go some custom agents go by the letter and others are too lax and others are in between. They have a job to do and just like most of us have good days and bad. Be polite and they are usully polite back.
I am both a Canadian and a British citizen and carry passports for both. I have been hassled both going into the US and Canada. It does not seem to matter where I go some custom agents go by the letter and others are too lax and others are in between. They have a job to do and just like most of us have good days and bad. Be polite and they are usully polite back.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.