Big Changes at the Border


Pacific NW boaters planning to cross the US/Canadian border during this
summer's cruise may observe some major changes planned to enhance
national security in the US. The exact date of implementation remains
uncertain, but US Customs and Immigration has announced that the
changes will be effective "sometime before 2006".

Frequent international cruisers have typically relied on the PIN system
and reported entry or reentry to US waters by telephone. As the changes
become effective, only boaters which have completed form # I-68 or
obtained a NEXUS pre-clearance will be able to clear US Customs by
telephone, and all other boaters will be required to clear customs, in
person, at a designated port of entry.

Vessels returning to or entering the US must clear customs before
making landfall or close contact with another vessel. Friday Harbor and
Roche Harbor are popular ports of entry in the San Juan Islands, and
there is little doubt that the customs docks at these locations will
become much busier as the new regulations become effective.

Lines at the customs dock are likely to be long, and tempers sometimes
correspondingly short. It will pay to have ones' "act together"
when clearing in person. Only the master of the vessel is allowed
ashore prior to customs clearance, unless others are requested to step
off the boat by Customs during inspection. Customs will want the
ship's papers, ID proving citizenship for all aboard (passports
effectively required), and an inventory of liquor, cigarettes, or other
controlled items aboard the boat. US boaters reentering from Canada
will be asked for the Canadian Customs number the boat was assigned
when entering Canada.

Boaters who hope to be able to clear by telephone will need either
complete an I-68 pre-clearance form or to complete the NEXUS
immigration clearance.

The I-68 form must be submitted, in person, to a US Immigration office.
Applicants will be required to submit two passport photographs and pay
an annual fee.

The NEXUS process is far more onerous. Application for NEXUS
pre-clearance must be made in person, by appointment, with an officer
at the Blaine Peace Arch crossing. NEXUS applicants will need
documentation of citizenship and paperwork substantiating every change
of legal status since birth. Birth certificates, all marriage
certificates, all divorce decrees, and similar documents will be
required.

Either I-68 or NEXUS will allow international boaters to enter the US
without physically reporting for inspection. I-68 will suffice for most
boaters, but NEXUS also allows a faster highway crossing at Blaine in
specially designated NEXUS lanes.

In summary, boaters entering or returning to the US will discover, at a
date still undisclosed, that their current PIN numbers are no longer
accepted for telephone clearance. Boaters will be required to report
for physical inspection at a port of entry, or to complete the I-68 or
NEXUS forms. The new requirements won't put a stop to cruising into
foreign waters, but they will require that boaters make conscious
preparation for clearing customs before setting out. (Remember those
passports!).