Your Guide for a Hassle-Free Adventure

For captains seeking to navigate their way from the U.S. to Canada, the experience can be easily accomplished with the right preparations. To ensure your cruise across the maritime boundary is as fun and worry-free as possible, we’ve compiled key information for you to consider. From travel documents to pet considerations, this guide will help get you set for a hassle-free journey through the Northern waterways.

When to Contact Customs

It's important to realize that clearing customs is not always a requirement when crossing the maritime border into Canada. Captains only are required to immediately report to the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) if they “come to port, anchor, moor or make contact with another vessel,” (Canada Border Services Agency, 2022). However, if you cruise into Canadian waters and do not moor, drop anchor, or make contact with another vessel, you will not be required to report to CBSA.

Preparing for Customs

Making a declaration to customs must be done by the operator of the vessel immediately upon arrival, while all other passengers remain in the boat. All passengers on board will need to have acceptable documentation such as a US Passport. Members of NEXUS can use their membership card as valid identification and should call ahead of docking for streamlined processing. Items that must be declared include any and all goods being brought into the country on your vessel— including restricted goods and prohibited goods. Restricted and prohibited goods include, but are not limited to: Weapons and ammunition, alcohol, food, Cannabis products, and animals. For a detailed explanation of restrictions and a full list of prohibited goods, visit www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca. 

Traveling with you furry best friend can be lot of fun, however all animals must be reported by the operator of the vessel, with proper documentation as proof of ownership. It is also important to remember that raw pet food is strictly prohibited across the border. Canned cooked pet food and kibble is unrestricted so long as it does not exceed 20 kg (roughly 44 lbs) in weight. Be sure to check Canada’s official guidelines for more information on traveling with dogs or other pets. If guidelines are not followed, animals can be prevented from entry into the country and even detained. 

UPDATE: As of August 1st, the CDC will require additional preparation and documentation in order to enter the US with a personal dog. Among other requirements, pet owners entering into the US on or after August 1st, 2024, will need their dog to have an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip, and must provide a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Waggoner Guide has a helpful article for additional information. The CDC's online DogBot is also a helpful resource for determining your dog's status for traveling over the border.

If you plan on eating food during your cruise (and we imagine you will!), you’ll need to carefully consider the ingredients you bring along. While some products such as spices and dairy are acceptable, other food such as seafood and meat have unique restrictions and prohibitions. All homemade food is prohibited, so make sure everything you cook up while cruising is either eaten or disposed of before crossing. To minimize hassle, we recommend you wait to buy fresh foods until after clearing customs. Alcohol and tobacco products have their own sets of restrictions you’ll need to review as well. For a detailed list of restricted, unrestricted, and prohibited foods, visit www.inspection.canada.ca. 

What to Expect at the Reporting Site 

For cruising vessels such as a Cutwater, the two ways to clear customs into Canada are at an open designated marine reporting location with an officer in person, or with an officer over the phone. (click here for a list of reporting locations). Once moored at a designated marine reporting location, the captain must take the following steps to clear their vessel and passengers through customs:

1. Gather the necessary documentation for the vessel and all the passengers.
2. Leave your crew on the boat and head to the CBSA office.
3. If an officer is present, file your report with them (click here for more information on what to report). If an officer is not present, then call the number posted on the wall, 1-888-226-7277, and file your report over the phone. Be aware your vessel may be subject to inspection if customs deem it necessary.
4. After being cleared by customs, you will be given a clearance number for your vessel (notecards will be present to write the number down). Our recommendation is to post the number on the inside of your cockpit window facing outward, so that officers can see your clearance number from the dock and verify your mooring status.
5. Once you have a clearance number, and you’ve posted it in a visible place on your Cutwater, you and your crew are free to disembark and begin your Canadian adventure!