Canada by Boat

Guidelines for recreational boaters traveling from the U.S. to Canada

Canada and the United States share the world's longest undefended border. About 44 million visitors cross the border every year from the United States into Canada. Of these approximately 880,000 visitors will arrive by boat from the U.S. This summer members of the Hamburg Power Squadron will add to these statistics when we embark on our annual Summer Cruise visiting our great neighbor to the north.

While our borders are friendly, there are strict rules and regulations upon entering this foreign nation.  The captain of a boat arriving in Canada must report to Canadian Customs immediately upon arrival. You must report in at designated stations, but, as a convenience, most marinas are eligible and have instructions and toll-free phone numbers posted. You should be prepared to wait for an inspector or to move your boat to another location if required. Be sure to keep all passengers on board until you have cleared entry procedures. Have your boat license or registration information with you as well as the full names, citizenship, birth dates, addresses of all persons on board and estimated departure dates when you talk to the customs agent. All persons on board must have documentation proving who they are. Make an entry in your own ship's log (date, agent's name, location of entry, clearance number) for reference.

Personal baggage and entitlements

As a visitor, you can bring certain goods into Canada for your own use as "personal baggage" during your stay. If you declare these goods when you arrive and take them back with you when you leave, you will not have to pay any duties or taxes. These goods cannot be used by a resident of Canada or on behalf of a business based in Canada. Personal baggage includes clothing, camping equipment, sports equipment, cameras, tape recorders, and even personal computers. It also includes vehicles, vessels, and aircraft.

Bringing children into Canada

If you are traveling with children, you should carry identification for each child. Divorced parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of the legal custody documents. Adults who are not parents or guardians should have written permission from the parents or guardians to supervise the children. When traveling with a group of vehicles, parents or guardians should travel in the same vehicle as the children when arriving at the border.

Prescription drugs

If you are importing prescription drugs, make sure they are clearly identified. The drugs should be in the original packaging, with a label that specifies what they are and that they are being used under prescription. If this is not possible, carry a copy of the prescription or a letter from your doctor.

Money

Under the new legislation, there are no restrictions on the amount of money that you can bring into or take out of Canada, nor is it illegal to do so. However, you now have to report to a customs officer amounts equal to or greater than CAN$10,000 that you are bringing into or taking out of Canada.

Meats, dairy products, fruits and vegetables

Canada has complex requirements, restrictions, and limits that apply to importing meat, eggs, dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables, and other food from around the world. You can avoid problems by not bringing such goods into Canada.

You can import some meat and dairy products from the United States. There are limits on the quantity or dollar value of certain food products you can bring into Canada free of duty, or that you can include in your personal exemption. If you bring in quantities of these products over and above the limits, you will have to pay a high rate of duty (from 150% to 300%). You may also need an agricultural inspection certificate.

Alcohol

As long as you meet the age requirements set by the province or territory where you enter Canada, you can include, duty and tax free, one of the following: up to 1.5 liters of wine, or 1.14 liters of liquor, or 24 × 355 ml cans or bottles (8.5 liter’s) of beer or ale.

Tobacco

If you meet the age requirements set by the province or territory where you enter Canada, you can include, duty and tax free, 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams of manufactured tobacco, and 200 tobacco sticks.

Pets

Dogs and cats from the U.S. that are at least three months old need signed and dated certificates from a veterinarian verifying that they have been vaccinated against rabies within the last three years. The certificate must clearly identify the animal. If your dogs or cats are less than three months old, you do not need a certificate of rabies vaccination signed by a veterinarian to enter Canada. However, the animals must be in good health when they arrive.

Radio transmitting equipment

As a U.S. resident, you are allowed to operate aircraft, marine, amateur, citizen band (CB), Family Radio Service (FRS) radios as well as cellular and PCS mobile radio telephones in Canada without getting permission from the Minister of Industry.  Marine VHF radio is the recommended means of issuing a distress alert. If you have a marine VHF radio, keep it tuned to channel 16.

Cellular Phones

With a cellular phone, you may contact Rescue Coordination Centers directly. Or, by dialing *16, you will contact the nearest Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and and Traffic Services Center. Remember that a cellular phone is not a good substitute for a marine radio and it is not an approved means of issuing a distress call. Making a call does not alert other boaters close to you - those other boats could be the ones to help you first if they could hear you. Unlike VHF transmissions, cellular phone signals cannot be followed back to your location by rescuers. Contact your cellular provider to find out if you have access to the *16 service.

It is important to respect the laws of Canada while you are a guest in their country. Customs officials are friendly, efficient and professional. When checking thru customs, being truthful and courteous will ensure the start to a great vacation.

For more information on the above subjects visit the following websites:

• Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
• Canadian Coast Guard

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