The CBSA reminds private boaters of reporting requirements
April 23 2024 - 10:11AM
PR Newswire (Canada)
OTTAWA,
ON, April 23, 2024 /CNW/ - With boating season
fast approaching, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds
all private boaters of their entry and reporting obligations when
navigating Canadian waters or entering Canada by boat. Understanding the reportring
requirements will ensure a safe and enjoyable season on the
water.
These are the top travel tips for boaters entering
Canada:
- Know before you go. Before lifting anchor, be sure to
review the CBSA's Reporting requirements for private boaters.
Requirements vary depending on your itinerary, your nationality and
number of passengers onboard.
- Making stops along the way? If you enter Canadian waters
and are simply out for a day cruise and making no stops before
leaving Canadian waters, you are not required to present yourself
to CBSA, but if you land on Canadian soil, anchor, moor or
come alongside another boat while in Canadian waters or disembark
or embark people or goods in Canada you must report to the CBSA.
Also:
- If you are a foreign national, you must be admissible under
the Immigration and Refugee Protection
Act.
- All passengers onboard, regardless of their nationality, should
have acceptable identification.
- Canadian boaters returning to Canada: If you leave and re-enter
Canadian waters, you are not required to present yourself and
report your goods to the CBSA if you:
- did not land outside Canada
and did not anchor, moor or make contact with another conveyance
while outside of Canadian waters
- did not embark or disembark any people or goods while outside
Canada
- Where do I declare? Most private boaters have
two ways to report to the CBSA:
- If you are at an open designated marine telephone
reporting site, you can:
- call the CBSA's Telephone Reporting Centre to request
clearance toll free at 1-888-226-7277
- or speak directly with a CBSA officer
- Exceptionally, private vessels carrying 30 or more passengers
must seek clearance at designated marine reporting site at least 72
hours before you arrive in Canadian waters in writing
- Failure to report to the CBSA, even if it is
to refuel, may result in detention, seizure or forfeiture of the
boat and/or monetary penalties. The minimum fine for failing to
report to the CBSA upon entry to Canada is $1,000.
- Know what's onboard. Restricted and
prohibited goods include, but are not limited to, firearms
and ammunition and weapons; food, plants, animals and related
products; explosives and fireworks. Think before you load up
your boat as you must report these goods to the CBSA
and obtain the necessary permits (if required), even if they
meet the conditions for a reporting exception.
- Cannabis: Don't bring it in. Don't take it out.
Bringing cannabis across the border in any form, including
oils containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or
cannabidiol (CBD), without a permit or
exemption authorized by Health Canada is a serious
criminal offence, despite the legalization of cannabis in
Canada. A medical prescription
from a doctor does not count as Health Canada
authorization.
- NEXUS members can call the NEXUS Telephone
Reporting Centre at 1-866-99-NEXUS. For more information on NEXUS
reporting procedures, visit NEXUS: Trusted traveller
program for travel by air, land and boat .
Important Links
- Reporting requirements for private boaters
- Marine Telephone Reporting Sites across Canada
- How to use NEXUS to enter Canada by boat
- I Declare: A Guide for residents returning to Canada
Website:
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca
Twitter: @CanBorder
Facebook: CanBorder
Instagram: CanBorder
YouTube: CanBorder
SOURCE Canada Border Services Agency
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