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#1
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Details on US - Canada crossing
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 |
#2
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I have gone from US to Canada both by boat and towing a boat with a car
a couple of times and had no big problems. I have friends who do it almost every year. no biggie. I am not sure exactly where you are crossing but if you get a guide/cruising book, it should tell you when is the best times and what the procedure is all about. Some places might be awful, but that has not been our experience. Best of luck. Now ask me about crossing the border in a van with a Chicago Blues Band, well that was another story altogether |
#3
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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). -- My experience and opinion, FWIW -- Steve s/v Good Intentions "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 |
#4
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Steve, what is I-68?
"Steve" wrote in message ... 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). -- My experience and opinion, FWIW -- Steve s/v Good Intentions "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 |
#5
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I found it.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pl...boats/cbbl.xml "johnhh" wrote in message ... Steve, what is I-68? "Steve" wrote in message ... 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). -- My experience and opinion, FWIW -- Steve s/v Good Intentions "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 |
#6
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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 |
#7
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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 |
#8
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On Sun, 18 Sep 2005 15:32:40 -0700, "Steve" wrote:
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 Sounds like typical governmental bureacratic hyperbolie. The I-68 does not seem to be of value. Face-to-face appears to be more valuable. So, if you go from WA to Canada, what should I expect to enounter? Conversely, when coming from Canada to WA, what should I expect to enounter? Based on these scenarios, what is/are the optimum actions or events to minimize hassle from one venue to the other? tnx, Gary Gaugler, Ph.D. Microtechnics, Inc. Granite Bay, CA 95746 916.791.8191 gary@microtechnics dot com |
#9
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"Gary G" see.signature@bottom wrote in message ... So, if you go from WA to Canada, what should I expect to enounter? Conversely, when coming from Canada to WA, what should I expect to enounter? Based on these scenarios, what is/are the optimum actions or events to minimize hassle from one venue to the other? Just as I stated in my earlier post. I can't add much more.. My experience was based on minimal contact with the crossing officials on either side. I was prepared with the I-68, picture IDs and myself, I had a passport. The only face to face I encountered was with Canadian official at Bedwell and I called in, just an hour prior to my arrival. No option or offer to wave coming to the customs dock. Myself, I don't like Roche Hbr. and if I do go in there, I always anchor out and if I would have had to go to the customs dock, I would only stay long enough to clean and then head for a much more friendly (none commercial) anchorage. Once I'm sure I don't have to go into an official dock, I put my mooring lines and fenders way until I return. I made my trip last summer without taking on fuel and only stopped at Comox for water. -- My experience and opinion, FWIW -- Steve s/v Good Intentions |
#10
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I also did this trip over the summer. Left Roche Harbor with the form to get
the annual customs decal ($25), filled it in when I returned. Had no I-68 or CanPass. Checked in at Bedwell by phone at the customs dock. Declared some wine and beer and no charge was applied (probably would be if you're in a floating bar). Checked back in at the dock at Roche Harbor, painless and courteous experience as it was in Canada (handed over the form and $25 and received the decal in the mail a week later). I like Roche Harbor, great place for people and boat watching and has a good (pricey) restaurant. Bedwell has a better (pricier) restaurant. I like anchoring out but I also like eating out! You can do both - each to their own. Cheers. |
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