The CANPass seemed to require a background check and took much longer
because of that. I was short on time, leaving in a couple weeks and found
that I could get the I-68 by making an appointment at a "out-of-the-way"
INS/Customs office.

I don't remember the PIN, but that may have been the Customs pass that I got
when returning.

I think if you have the several documents mentioned, you shouldn't have to
stop upon return and perhaps the CANPass allows you to phone in on entering
Canada.

No matter what you get (unless you get them all) they are going to ask for
something you didn't get.


--
My experience and opinion, FWIW
--
Steve
s/v Good Intentions


"Gary G" see.signature@bottom wrote in message
...
On Sun, 18 Sep 2005 06:29:36 -0700, "Steve" wrote:

I just went thru all these questions and uncertainties last summer.

Following the directions and info on the web site, I went and got I-68 for
myself and my crew. This was easer than the "Pass Thing'y", however it did
require a trip to a Immigration Office (my closest was Grays Harbor) with
an
appointment, Passport size pictures and a fee. If I remember correctly,
with
pictures and fee it was about $45 each.

I cleared into Canada at Bedwell Hbr and that only took about 5 minutes at
the dock. There was only a quick interview and he may have ask about the
booze, but since I have a "dry" boat there was none to declare. He never
ask
for the I-68 and I think we only showed picture ID. Declared how long we
were going to stay. The Canadian officer issued a number which we were
required to post in a porthole.

Upon return, I called into the US Customs number, by cell phone, to
report
our return. Here again this was a US Customs officer and he wasn't
interested in our I-68 and wanted to know what our Annual Customs
Crossings
Pass number was. I had heard about this requirement but had hoped it had
been dropped and the I-68 was all we needed since both agencies were
combine. No such luck, I had to give this officer my Visa card number so
he
could issue the $25 annual pass over the phone. I could have refused to do
this but then I would have had to go to Roche Hbr and clear in and pay the
same fee.

Bottom line! Get a 'frequent crossing pass' or I-68 and a US Customs
annual
pass and you can do your crossing and only have to stop at Bedwell or any
of
the other Canadian crossing points.

Aside from the US agency fees and hassle, I found the whole crossing
process
fairly painless. Much easier than crossing over and returning from Mex. At
least I didn't have to "grease" any Port Capt.s palm or pay any dock
transit
fee while walking a half mile to find that dusty shack (port capt.
office).


Thanks for the reply. The general consensus is that the I-68 is
useless. This is from multiple Web sites who have travelled in the
WA/Canada corridor. They talk about the CANPASS and a PIN that is
used to make the crossing.

Did you deal with these?


Gary Gaugler, Ph.D.
Microtechnics, Inc.
Granite Bay, CA 95746
916.791.8191
gary@microtechnics dot com