Canada Customs

Marina Home | Vancouver Island | Gulf Islands | Sunshine Coast

Every boat entering Canada must clear Canada Customs. Most do so by phone with the CANPASS system. Before you leave your home country contact your customs office for the updated procedures for travel o Canada and the necessary phone numbers you will need upon arrival in Canada.

The captain can report to customs in person, if available at the marina, or by phone. The marina manager on the Canadian side is usually vary knowledgeable on the proper steps to take in declaring your entry and have the current numbers for contacting customs onsite. Do not take the chance and get all the information first, before you take the boating trip.

Some high end marinas will have a customs direct line located at the marina. Before confirming entry to Canada no one is to leave the boating vessel until all procedures are met. It is important to note that baggage and merchandise is also not to be unloaded until given clearance by the appropriate customs office. US citizens should always carry the proper identification. If from another country besides the US , a passport is required.

Any children on board should have their birth certificates with them, and if it is not your child , then a note from their parents is required including all contact information of the child's parents. All boaters must report at the designated port of entry when entering Canada. To not report is asking for allot of headaches and difficulties.

Carry all boating identification papers and be prepared for questions about your boat including the registration number, boats length and name, estimated departure date and supplying all the names addresses, citizenship and birthplaces of every passenger on board your boat.

Once the formalities are over Canada Customs will provide you with a clearance number to place on your boat. Place number in view as RCMP officers will ask for it as they make there rounds at the marinas.