NEXUS Passes Applied For

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Pat Anderson

New member
NEXUS passes applied for! This will let us zip through the Canadian border crossing at Blaine without waiting in the insane queue - last Saturday the border wait was almost half an hour and my drive to Vancouver was only 35 minutes! We are thinking it will also be great for boating, but we would like to hear how it works, does it work both coming and going for telephone check-in for border crossings? It took about an hour to do the Government Online Enrollment System regilstration necessary to apply online for any "trusted traveler" program and to complete the NEXUS application, but when they come through, we think it will be well worth it!
 
I've used the Nexus passes on the water to travel to and from Canada. Generally, on the way up, you call in and they may or may not ask you to go to a port to be checked. I think we were checked 2 times out of 6 on the way up. The other 4 times, we received a clearance number on the phone and we didn't even need to stop at a customs port. On the way back, I think we were 5/6 in terms of not having to stop at a customs port. That makes the trips a lot quicker. The times we did have to stop on the way into Canada, we were never met by a customs officer and we rec'd our clearance number after calling in from a dock. The one time we did have to stop on the way back to the U.S. we were visited by a customs officer who did the normal interview at our boat but who didn't come on board. I think he was bored and just wanted to get outside the office on a nice day.
 
We've used nexus for more than 6 years and find it to be very handy. Going into Canada by boat just call when you are about 15 minutes out from your Canadian poe. They will ask for information, who's on the boat, boat info, why visiting Canada,etc. they will also ask for your "br" number and or nexus number. Everyone one the boat must have a nexus card to go in via the nexus system. We have been directed to tie up at a port of entry and call to get our clearance number. Save that number. You must display it on a window while in Canada and on returning to the U.S. You will be asked for it. There is more benefit coming back into the U.S. We just call the nexus clearance number when we are back in U.S. Waters, answer a few question, they give us our clearance number and we are on our way. We have not been to the customs dock for years. NOTE: the nexus program is a "trusted traveller" program so be squeaky clean about taking things into Canada or back into the U.S. If you are caught cheating not only will you lose the card but you'll be on the "inspect this boat/car list forever. The nexus program will also get you into the TSA pre-clearance program so you can go through security faster at some airports. You'll have to put some information into your airline system. By car it has also been a help.
 
Just a postscript to Barry's comments.

Be sure to get a "BR" (Boater Registration) number. For some reason they did not give us one and it took about 1/2 hour on the telephone with a VERY cooperative agent the first time we came back in.

Like Barry, we have had only positive experiences. On one trip back South through the "Peace" arch (so called because there is no place to P) we were home on South Whidbey before our friends go through the border and that was towing the boat.

One other little twist is that we once got called to the dock going into Canada because we called with less than 30 minutes notice. They don't care if you call early but take care to update any ETA you might give them.
Coming back we have had no problems but did get yelled at once for calling before we had crossed that "dotted line" on the water.

The airport system usage is expanding and is also very good.

Expect changes.

M
 
We applied for Nexus and have primarily used it for traveling by car to Canada. One time earlier this year prior to receiving our passes, it took over 2 hours to cross into Canada by car.

The last time we went to Canada, now having the pass, it took 5 minutes. The customs officer asked where we were headed and was smiling as he said have a nice day. Very pleasant and quite a different experience.

We look forward to using it for crossing into Canada via boat this summer.
 
Hi Pat, you are going to love your Nexus card and wonder why you didn't get one sooner. Most of our friends have one and we sometimes carpool to some very good Chinese restaurants near & around Richmond, BC. We are in our sixth year with the cards and wouldn't be without it.

The TSA pre-check is a real bonus. The lines are far shorter and you can leave your shoes on, jacket on, laptop in its case etc.

We renewed a while ago via the GOES site and they just mailed us new cards with no interview in Blaine. Perhaps we were fortunate.

Many thanks again for your help at the "barn raising". Wigeon is now inside and dry as a bone. Larry
 
Anybody who wants to use one this summer should apply now as it can take 4 to 6 months here in the PNW. We applied in early September, were approved a couple months later and now have our interview scheduled for mid-January. Presumably we'll receive our passes in early February.
 
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