NEXUS PASS

Big dave

Big dave

Member
Do any brats that are USA citizens use the NEXUS Pass when crossing into Canada and returning to the USA ?
If so could you give me a brief explanation on how it works.
IE is a passport still required ?
Do I need to check in at a certain port ?

Or can I just call in when crossing the boarder both ways ?
Thanks for the help, I'm looking for a quicker way when crossing in the boat.
PS. I know how it works when crossing the boarder in a car.
Thanks
Dave.
Raven Dancer.
 
Dave,
We have used NEXUS for a number of years and although the rules may vary from time to time it goes pretty much like this- (By Boat)

Going into Canada, call the magic number (cell #) at least 30 minutes before your first intended port of call (which must be a customs post). They will ask you detials and your ETA and almost always will ak you to be at the customs dock at that time, wait 10 minutes and if no-one comes you are free to go. They should also give you a clearance number to post.

Sometimes they will turn up and may even do a search.

Coming back to USA do NOT call until in US waters (you know that dotted line on the water :-))

They will ask you any number of questions which may include your passport number and size of shoes. One things they WILL ask you for is your "Boater Registration Number" which the NEXUS people should have given you but probably did not. If you do not have one, call the number and if you find someone in a good mood they will take your details (many) and issue you with a number. Suggest you do that before you go.

They will ask your destination and 9 times out of ten they will say "welcome home" the 10th time they will request you report to a specific customs post.

As I said, the rules do change so be ready for anything and have your "YesSir/NoSir/maam" hat on :-)

Merv
 
Pretty much what Merv said.

Passport is not required for crossing the US/Canada border by land or water. But, if you fly across the border, you need your passport.

In order to use Nexus, everyone in the boat/car needs to have a valid Nexus card.

In Canada you have to arrive at a designated port. The list of Nexus designated ports of entry is much longer than the normal list. Typically you wait for a few minutes, nobody shows up, and you go on your way.

I think it is more useful entering the US since it normally saves the trip to a designated port of entry.

Nexus also includes TSA Precheck and Global Entry, both of which save a lot of time when traveling by air. I flew back to the US from France on Tuesday and cleared customs in less than two minutes with no waiting in lines...I'm a big fan.
 
Just to clarify, this is from the US Government web site:

"For entry into the United States via land and sea borders, U.S. citizens must present either a U.S. passport, passport card, NEXUS card, Enhanced Drivers License, or other Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document. The only exception to this requirement is for U.S. citizens under the age of 16 (or under 19, if traveling with a school, religious, or other youth group) who need only present a birth certificate, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or naturalization certificate."

The enhanced Drivers License currently only available in Washington State, Vermont, Michigan, and New York. We always have our passports when we travel. We find it helps in money exchange, travelers checks, credit card use etc.
 
You will if you ever sit for 3 hours in line at the "Peace Arch" :-)

Last time I trailered back through there I was home on Whidbey before our non NEXUS friends had cleared customs.

I agree, going into Canada it's not much difference but coming back it usually means we can head straight home instead of calling at one of the entry ports and joining the fight at the dockside.

M
 
Merv, One addition if I may. We have called in and told them we wished to go to an anchorage at Cabbage Island. We were given a number and told that someone "may" come to visit. Of course, no one did. If there had been an entry port on the way, I'm sure we would have been asked to stop in for a touch and go.
 
Going into Canada by boat the Nexus is somewhat helpful because you are a "trusted traveler" and the presumption is that you are following the rules, the last time we went I called in, the Canadian border officer just checked our nexus numbers, no questions, just gave us a Canadian clearance number (you have to post this number in your cabin window nexus or not). You do need to go to a check in station, it has been painless but it is not especially useful going into Canada by boat. Going by car it is worth every penny. There are special nexus lanes, rarely are you in line for more than a very few minutes, you just hold your cards up to the machine reader, slow down at the window, answer one or two quick questions and you are on your way. Coming back into the U.S. by boat or car Nexus shines. By car you have those same special nexus lines with little or no waiting and the same process. By boat, you just wait until you are in U.S. waters, (the phone shows you are not roaming on a Canadian tower) and call in. You will need to read out that Canadian clearance number and you are welcomed home. We sometimes wait until we are almost to Friday Harbor before calling in...no problem.

There is one big issue with any of these trusted traveler programs, if you cheat, extra booze you don't declare, for example, and you are caught, you can expect to be hassled and searched from then on...both ways! We are glad to have them. and, Everybody in the vehicle, boat or car, has to have nexus for you to use them.
 
Roger, Barry,
Good to hear from y'all.

Agreed. I think after a while they get to "know" you. Let's face it they can pull you over anytime they want. Also, they make subtle changes in the questions etc. so we always kept all the details they could ever hope to know written down at the ready. A bit like when the hoecoming US agent asked you how much stuff you bought, you have an exact number and a handlfull of receipts at the ready. :-)

I did not sign up for the advanced iris scan etc as my retirement plans included NOT catching anymore airplanes but I was delighted to find a NEXUS lane at Vancouver which got me right past long lines.

Yup, it's NO Tolerance! I hate to think what hassle they could give you if you were ever caught out. One agent even told me to be careful if crossing alone, NOT to have any personal belongings of my wife on board ??? Go figure.

M
 
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