Canadians crossing Southbound

[Chimo]

For a myriad of reasons we have been doing mainly day trips and single overnights for the last couple of years. Longer trips may be possible now and I have my eye on a visit to Friday Harbor and surroundings before the weather in Haro gets too nasty. Last time I crossed the boarder a couple of years ago I did a simple clearance with a video call on the CBP app.. The very friendly officer even emailed me a new cruising license. (Don’t know if they are still needed). Have any of my fellow Canadians crossed recently and, if so, is it still a simple process for Nexus holders?

 

[Hamster]

For me, in reverse from you, the process is easy. Nexus into Canada. CBP Roam into U.S. One difference is U.S. reporting is AFTER you cross border but before you dock. Nexus into Canada you can report once you are at a Nexus Marine station (you need Nexus card for everyone on board).

 

[scross]

We crossed six times this year. Into USA from Canada had long hold times on CPB Roam to get agent but otherwise easy. Going into Canada you either need to call when you dock at a Nexus port OR more than 30 minutes but less than 4 hours from docking.

 

[William Sanborn]

We crossed six times this year. Into USA from Canada had long hold times on CPB Roam to get agent but otherwise easy. Going into Canada you either need to call when you dock at a Nexus port OR more than 30 minutes but less than 4 hours from docking.

Sorry I am confused, not to big a problem, "going into Canada you either need to call when you dock at a Nexus Port, Or more than 30 minutes but less than 4 hours from docking". So question is what time do I need to Report?

 

[scross]

Two choices:
1. Call in more than 30 minutes but less than 4 hours prior to your arrival at Nexus listed port.
2. Call immediately after arrival at dock at Nexus listed port.

 

[Jesperjo]

With Nexus, you should just need to download the CBP Roam app. Set it up before you leave home, with your login and record the Nexus card numbers. Once you cross the border and have a stable enough signal, open the app and report your arrival. They will most likely call you on the phone number you give them (hence why you need a stable signal) and ask you the exact same questions they already asked in the app. If they then want you to report in person, they will direct you to a customs dock, but more than likely they won’t.

Here is more information and links: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers/pleasure-boat-overview. I believe you can also report by phone into the US by calling 800-562-5943, but I have only ever used the ROAM app. I’m not sure if that number is still operational. It came from http://www.nwboatinfo.com/customs.html, which has good information on this.

To report your return into Canada, call 888-226-7277, as several others say, more than 30 minutes before you arrive, but less than 4 hours.

Tip, I created a document that contains all the phone numbers, and all the Nexus card information (number, full name, expiration date, etc), vessel HIN, MMSI, and anything else they could possibly ask for. Then I printed and laminated it, and we keep that on the boat. That way, when we go to report, we pull that out, and all the information we need is there so we can easily retrieve it. It made border crossings a lot easier.

 

[Red Raven]

All good info here.

A couple anecdotes regarding crossings. Things to watch out for.

On our entry into Canada we had been in a bit of rough water during our crossing and could not get to calm water and make the call until about 30 minutes before our expected arrival time of 1:30p. No problem, we were still a few minutes before 1p. When asked I gave the agent an expected arrival time of 1:30. Just before completing the call the agent paused and said…hmm…I will adjust your arrival time to 1:35 (we both chuckled a bit as it was now 1:05!). Just goes to show how serious they are about those time windows!

On our entry back into the US I called the NEXUS number given above since I have had some difficultly with the CPB roam app in the past. The agent immediately asked if I had the CBP Roam app and requested I use it instead. He said to call back if I had any difficulty. I then used the app successfully with no issues. The point here is that the NEXUS phone number still works as a backup but they are now encouraging you to use the app even with NEXUS. Just be sure to have your NEXUS card info loaded into the app first.

Regarding one of the previous difficulties with the CPB app, upon starting the arrival report the app has a section to select the names of the persons on board. The first selection must be the Master of the Vessel and then the additional traveler(s). The challenge is my wife’s name appears first on the list (regardless the order I previously enter the info). I somehow missed the small “Master of the Vessel” words when selecting the first person and selected my wife first and myself second thinking the question was just about all travelers. Of course, the agent then called my wife’s phone, which I answered but the agent insisted I give the phone to her to do the clearance as she was selected as the Master of the Vessel in the app. He was adamant that this was a legal requirement. She got through it but was not happy as she had never done it before! I now make sure to read the app questions carefully and be sure to select myself as the Master of the Vessel. Somehow the process always stresses me out and I screw up!