Clearing Canadian Customs

[Gene Morris]

What should we expect when we clear Canadian customs? We will clear at White Rock or Vancouver and have never had the opportunity to visit another country in our boat.

Thanks;
Gene Morris

[thataway]

We have had everything from just walking to the office and getting the number to a complete boat inspection. So be prepared. Also when trailering the boat to Canada, we have had full inspections.

If you have a pet, be sure and have the paperwork for the rabies shots, and health history. NO firearms! No mace, but we have never had a problem with bear repellant. Once we were asked for copies of the prescription for our medications--Since I am a physician, and we had a very comprehensive firstaid kit (including morphine and other controled substances--it looked like it might get stickly--in Prince Rupert--but just about that time, the customs agent got a call that the ferry had arrived and he was needed there!). The customs agent seemed to be put off by our sheaf knife which is secured by the doorway. It has a full leather sheath, like police gear. Also we have been told "all Californian's are suspect for drugs".

Generally no hassel anywhere we have been, but we have had some very comprehensive searches in the past. I suggest that you arrive just as they are searching another boat. That lessens the chance you will be searched--but then a C Dory is pretty easy to search!

[starcrafttom]

We have never seen a border agent in canada. All I have ever seen is a phone and smiling voices . never been searched or accussed of drug running. Getting back thru u.s. customs is another story. : Got my garlic taken away and susan was told her marraige licinsce was no good. Agent was taking her life in her own hands on that one

[Pat Anderson]

We usually clear at White Rock. Here is the typical exchange, we call the phone number on the sign, the lady answers the phone in Victoria.

"This is Daydream, we'd like to check in."
"A white and burgundy C-Dory 25?"
"Yup."
"Welcome Mr. Anderson, who is aboard?"
"Me and the Mrs."
"Patty?"
"Yup."
"Have any firearms, more than $10,000 cash, etc."
"Nope."
"Liquor?"
"Yup, the usual."
"Have your passports?"
"Yup."
"Is Baxter with you today?"
"Nope, left him home."
"OK, welcome to Canada, eh? Have a nice stay."
Honest, that has been the drill each time after the first.

Now, I say this, you will probably get strip searched or something, but the PROBLEM is not getting into Canada, it is always getting back into the U.S.

[Alyssa Jean]

What Pat said. Same drill almost per batem, or however you spell it. Even if you have more alcohol than what the limit is, you just tell them what you have (assuming you are not bringing in cases and only plan to stay 2 days). They have never made a big deal about it..

[thataway]

It must depend on who and where. We had a friend who had cases of California wine--and they were heading for Alaska--the had to pay duty on the wine or destroy it. (other than the "legal" amount.) They tried to get the wine put in bond (as many other countries allow) and were unsuccessful.

It may also make a difference where you are from or by the size of the boat.

[captd]

Hey Brats,
Ya you can take guns into Canada. Just no pistols or barrels under 18 inches. Costs you $ 50 bucks than you can take as many as you want. A popular gun to take just for killing the big fish before you bring them in the boat is a 410 snake charmer. It is all stainless and plastic., single shot and can be shot one handed. Great for huge halibut.
Here is our expieriance: We cleared customs in North Idaho. Inspected our camper and had to throw away all fresh fruits and veggies. Ask if we had any guns. I said yes, two of them. They wanted to see them, of course. One was a 12 ga. riot gun. couldn't find the serial # When seeing the snake charmer he called some one and they told him it was legal. 50 bucks and we were on our way.
Coming back into Canada they wanted to keep the 410 they said it was not allowed. I said give me my 50 bucks back, they wouldn't do that. I said I am going to stay right here until you straighten this mess out. The local head of customs had put out a flyer that a snake charmer was not allowed. I made them call their same as our ATF and they told them it was legal and after two hour we were on our way with both guns in the camper.
Was it worth the effort, yes....One small victory for gun owners.
Captd

[Dreamer]

We'll be trying out our new Nexus passes tomorrow on a short trip to the Gulf Islands. We'll be back Friday and I'll report on their value in crossing. We've never had a problem with phone reporting our arrival in the States.

[tom&shan]

How long did it take you to get your Nexus pass?
I applied back in March - sent all the paperwork to Toronto, havn't heard a word and have not been able to find a phone number anywhere on who to call.

Tom

[Sarge]

I had an experience crossing the border years ago that I can now look back and laugh at, but at the time wasn't a lot of fun.

When I was still a police officer, the Mrs. and I drove to Port Angeles in my truck and crossed over to Victoria on the ferry. When we got to Victoria, customs approached us. They asked me a few questions and then asked for my id. I handed them my driver's license. They then did the same to my wife. She handed over her driver's license also....only on the back of it she had taped my business card. The Canadian customs agent looked at me like he caught me having an affair with his wife and yelled, "You're a cop!" To which I replied, "Yes, I am." He then yelled, "Where's your gun? You guys always travel with guns. You can't bring a gun into Canada. Where's your gun?" I calmly told him it was at home where it was safe. He then tried to catch me in a lie..."Was this trip planned?" "Do you normally carry a gun with you?" "Where's your gun?" Of course, it was at home as I had told him.

He obviously didn't like my answer, so he asked me if he could search my truck. I had nothing to hide so I let him. He started to tear the truck apart, calling in other agents to help him.

Here's where it gets interesting....

Little background: I was on my department's SWAT team at the time. We practiced at least monthly and one of the drills that the instructors insisted upon was getting us to reload our weapons under fire. Shooting a weapon until your magazine is empty is called going "dry." The instructors put us through "dry fire drills" in which they would have us shoot and shoot until we went dry and had to reload quickly while our partner was firing over our head. I had done this hundreds of times, but as I got older I and other seasoned SWAT guys would fill up our pant pockets with rounds so that when the instructor wasn't looking we could pull out our magazine and refresh them ('topping off'). At the end of the day, whatever bullets I hadn't needed that were in my pockets I would just dump into the center console of my truck. This amounted to several hundred bullets by the time I took my trip to Canada.

Back to the Canada visit...

So the Canadian agents were searching my truck when they got to the stash of bullets that were in my truck console. Holy guacamole! You'd of thought I just wiped my rear with a maple leaf. They worked themselves into a frenzy. They stopped short of strip searching me, but the agent was obviously not happy. He looked at me and said, "Lucky for you bringing bullets into Canada is currently not illegal." I apologized for the hassle and offered him the bullets if it would make him feel more comfortable. He said I could pick them up on my return trip out of Canada....oh yeah, like I wanted to re-live that experience.

I laugh about it now, but at the time I felt like I was being targeted as a "bad guy" for being a cop. Didn't sit right with me.

Let me end with the fact that even after that experience, I still think Canadians are some of the nicest people I've ever met. I too look forward to going over the border in my boat....sans bullets.

-Sarge/Carl

[Larry H]

Sarge,

That's a great story.

Here is a tip that was told to me my a Canadian Customs agent.

If you take any firearms(long guns, not pistols) into Canada, check your ammo/gun box and REMOVE any pistol rounds or other pistol-specific gear before you go.

If customs finds any pistol rounds or gear, they might think you have hidden your pistol somewhere and do a 'tear down' search of your boat, car, or camper.

I advise everyone to take border crossings seriously and prepare by having the correct paperwork, not taking any prohibited food or other items, answer their questions truthfully and specifically, and don't volunteer any info that they don't ask for. Save the small talk until after they give you your clearance. Be sure to post your clearance number in the side window as required.

The customs guys and gals have a tough job and friendly cooperation with a smile helps everyone.


Larry H

[Dreamer]

Tom,

It was at least 2 months before we were called to schedule an interview. We drove to Boeing Field and had a nice chat with a very gregarious and amusing Canadian lady and a more official US Border agent. They took fotos and issued the passes on the spot. Altogether, about a 3-4 month process!

Sarge's story reminds me of a similar one involving a police officer. Every time he crossed the border, his boat was boarded and extensively searched. After 4-5 times, he identified himself as a cop to the border agents and asked, "Why me?" Her response, "Frankly sir, it's your pants!" Seems he liked to wear some comfy Camo pants while boating. Any type of camoflage clothing is on the "list" and triggers suspicion and requires a search. He reported no more problems after switching to Docker shorts..

So, Sarge, ixnay on the old SWAT T-Shirts!

Roger

[Grumpy]

On the Nexus Issue. We got our just before the Lopez trip as we wanted to continue on to the GUlf Islands.

Had a similar experience with the interviewing officers and noted that you can check into Canada by cell phone anytime before or after crossing the red line in boundary pass but you are supposed to check into the USA at the moment you cross the line (assuming you are intending to land)

Tried to check into Canada around Turn Point but go put on hold for ever so went to the dock in Poets Cove and walked up to the usual landline where I had a long but pleasant chat with a Canadian agent who told me that I should have used the Canpass number and not the new shiny Nexus number they had given me. In any case no hassle she had all our details the instant I gave her last name and confirmed date of birth. Just wanted details on the boat which was not part of the Nexus interview which is aimed more at car passage. (By the way they have a system for air passage coming up as well)

Coming back we stopped on the red line and called the US number and got an equally friendly guy who immediately asked for our BR number. Told him I didn't know what he was asking about so he explained that the Nexus people should have given us a BR (Boater registration) number which is NOT the same as your Nexus number. So he proceeded to take all our details over the cell phone and issued us BR numbers on the spot and wished us a nice day.

So our impression is that it maybe will work once you as as well known as Pat to the system !!

Merv & Kathy

[Gene Morris]

Thanks every one, my greatest concern was how prescription medicine was handled. I guess my primary care doctor will have to write a letter explaining what drugs are prescribed for me. I hope that, and the original labeled bottles will do.

Thanks again
Gene

[thataway]

Gene, we make copies of our prescriptions so that we have these available when crossing boarders.
From the Canadian customs web site:
"Prescription drugs

If you are importing prescription drugs, make sure they are clearly identified. The drugs should be in the original packaging with a label that specifies what they are and that they are being used under prescription. If this is not possible, carry a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor."

You should not have a problem with the labled containers. Have a great trip--wish we were able to go!

Bob