I haven't taken my sailboat into the US yet, but we are planning on doing a week in the San Juans later this summer. What do I need to know about clearing US customs and then clearing back into Canada at the end of the trip. Wife and I will be the only ones on board, both with Canadian passports. 28' sailboat, Canadian registered. We will be heading to Roche Harbour first, since it's closest customs port.
US Customs clearance
- Thread starter mpaxman
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US Customs
I would suggest you clear in Friday Harbor. I have heard stories about some of the agents in Roche being hard line. I always clear back into the US at Friday, and have always been treated fair. A check of Waggoner's cruising guide doesn't give specific information for Canadians entering US. The US Customs website says a passport is not required at this time (but if you have them, use them). I'm sorry the link doesn't work, so try www.customs.gov and go to questions.
I would suggest you clear in Friday Harbor. I have heard stories about some of the agents in Roche being hard line. I always clear back into the US at Friday, and have always been treated fair. A check of Waggoner's cruising guide doesn't give specific information for Canadians entering US. The US Customs website says a passport is not required at this time (but if you have them, use them). I'm sorry the link doesn't work, so try www.customs.gov and go to questions.
US Customs Updates
Goto U.S. CUSTOMS UPDATESat: waggonerguide.com/uscust_up.html http://www.waggonerguide.com/uscust_up.html Arrivals requiring an in-person report to a CBP Officer may be made at any of the following designated ports of entry. The boat must be made available for inspection at a CBP designated area for possible boarding at the time of report. Regular hours of service are 8 A.M–5 P.M. from September 17th to May 13th. Extended summer hours for each of the below ports are 8 A.M–8 P.M. Friday Harbor (360) 378-2080 Roche Harbor (360) 378-2080 Port Angeles (360) 457-4311 Point Roberts (360) 945-2314 Anacortes (360) 293-2331 and much more into’
Goto U.S. CUSTOMS UPDATESat: waggonerguide.com/uscust_up.html http://www.waggonerguide.com/uscust_up.html Arrivals requiring an in-person report to a CBP Officer may be made at any of the following designated ports of entry. The boat must be made available for inspection at a CBP designated area for possible boarding at the time of report. Regular hours of service are 8 A.M–5 P.M. from September 17th to May 13th. Extended summer hours for each of the below ports are 8 A.M–8 P.M. Friday Harbor (360) 378-2080 Roche Harbor (360) 378-2080 Port Angeles (360) 457-4311 Point Roberts (360) 945-2314 Anacortes (360) 293-2331 and much more into’
Rules in Great Lakes area
I don't know if the rules are the same in your area, but if you care to read what I have gathered on requirements for Lake Ontario, go to the ink below.
I don't know if the rules are the same in your area, but if you care to read what I have gathered on requirements for Lake Ontario, go to the ink below.
Friday Harbor
I've done what you are talking about several times and have always entered the U.S. at Friday Harbor. If you enter during the hours they are open just pull into the customs dock. Only the skipper is allowed off the boat. Take your vessel registration and the passports of everyone on board to the telephone mounted at the dock. Customs will answer,ask some questions and if all is well give you a clearance number. They seldom even come down to the boat but they are observing you by camera and binoculars. It's a good idea to fly a yellow quarantine flag off your starboard shroud before you dock and replace it with a U.S. courtesy flag after clearance. If you enter after hours you do the same thing but it takes about a half hour longer because you end up talking to a customs official in Bellingham. Don't have any restricted items on board like meat. You should check before leaving to make sure what you can and cannot take in. I've never entered at Roche Harbor but I suspect the routine is the same. On return I have always cleared Canadian Customs at the Port Of Sidney where the proceedure is identical. It's really not a big deal in either directions if you have the proper documents.
I've done what you are talking about several times and have always entered the U.S. at Friday Harbor. If you enter during the hours they are open just pull into the customs dock. Only the skipper is allowed off the boat. Take your vessel registration and the passports of everyone on board to the telephone mounted at the dock. Customs will answer,ask some questions and if all is well give you a clearance number. They seldom even come down to the boat but they are observing you by camera and binoculars. It's a good idea to fly a yellow quarantine flag off your starboard shroud before you dock and replace it with a U.S. courtesy flag after clearance. If you enter after hours you do the same thing but it takes about a half hour longer because you end up talking to a customs official in Bellingham. Don't have any restricted items on board like meat. You should check before leaving to make sure what you can and cannot take in. I've never entered at Roche Harbor but I suspect the routine is the same. On return I have always cleared Canadian Customs at the Port Of Sidney where the proceedure is identical. It's really not a big deal in either directions if you have the proper documents.
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