This summer I cruised the 1000 islands and crossed back and forth from
Canada to US and had no problems. I did purchase an I-68 card weeks before
starting by going to the US Customs office at the boarder and it was one of
the best things I could have done. As I approached a US town, coming from
Canada, I would use my cell phone and call the 1-800 number and they would
ask a few questions and issue a landing number. I found them very courteous,
easy to talk to and a great way to enter the US.



Just a note, if you do not have the I-68 card you have to find a video phone
or check-in office and they are not easy to find. In Clayton NY, I was
curious to see one and went looking, just to see one, and never found it. I
did find one in Alexandria Bay . they are small, not all that well marked,
not easy to find.



I did not purchase a Can-Pass (the Canadian equivalent to the I-68) as I
knew where to check in on the Canadian side. Again, I found it very easy to
call the 1-800 number and check-in.






"Gary G" see.signature@bottom wrote in message
...
It appears that the total picture for going from US to
Canada and back is pretty aweful. I have no experience
in this venue. Can someone tell me what is involved in
this in reality? I have read the official Web links about going
and coming. It just seems like it is a real hassle and
not worth the time to go from WA to Canada.

The Canada guys measure booze coming in and and the US
guys measure booze coming in. What is the big deal?
I have no problem with the passports requirement. What
else are they going to hassle us about? Are either of
the customs entities going to titrate our booze to see
what proof it is to base it on the allowed volume? They
don't seem to make a distinction about this other than beer
and wine and wine coolers.

What about coming from Canada to Roche Harbor or Friday Harbor?
This sounds like a horrific experience. However, I heard on
VHF that each boat took about 15-20 minutes to clear customs
before getting a slip. Does this event complete customs and
immigration? If not, what is involved in doing so?

Sigh.... Yes, we are newbies between WA and Canada.



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