Canada and the United States boast the world's longest undefended border, a portion of which runs through the Thousand Islands.
The area is natural and has long been used for the illegal passage of goods between countries, and consequently some rules of order 
are in place to control cross-border travel. These can cause several complications for paddlers.
The border is clearly marked on the navigation charts and topographic maps and indicated in the guidebook. Paddlers should be aware of their location relative to the international border at all times.
Low risk boaters who cross the border frequently use the CANPASS Private Boats program to streamline Customs and Immigration clearances when entering Canada. Each individual wishing to participate in this program, including spouses and dependent children, must complete an application form, undergo a security check, and if 18 years of age or older, pay a $40 (Canadian) processing fee.
This program is open only to Canadian or U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada U.S.
Program memberships are now valid for five years with no additional fees or yearly renewals required. You may apply for CANPASS by mail, or in person, at the CANPASS Processing Centre, Post Office Box 126,4551 Zimmerman Avenue, Niagara Falls, Ontario L2E 6T1. You may also obtain an application at Canada Border Services Agency. www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca .
CANPASS boaters must report to Customs by calling 1-888-226-7277 at any time up to four hours prior to arrival in Canada. Procedures are otherwise the same as for non-registered boaters. NOTE: If you have an unregistered person onboard, CANPASS clearance is not available, and you must use the same procedures as all non-CANPASS boaters.
Day Travelers
Boaters who are not participants in the CANPASS Private Boats program for frequent low risk travelers, must call Customs at 1-888-226-7277 ONLY upon arrival in Canada. Be prepared with the following information:
- Final destination information
- Purpose of visit
- Length of intended stay in Canada
- Name, date of birth and citizenship of each person on board
- You must declare all goods brought into Canada by any person on the boat.
The CANPASS program is open only to Canadian or U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada and U.S.
If any duties or taxes are payable, you may charge them to a valid VISA or MasterCard account. Upon completion of this call, you will be provided with a clearance number and allowed to proceed or, in a few instances, requested to remain aboard the vessel until an inspector arrives. For any questions regarding a customs reporting location, call Canada Customs at 1-888-226-7277 before departure to ensure that reporting is permitted at your intended site.
NEXUS
Previous CANPASS users can apply for NEXUS to participate in this new program. NEXUS is an alternative inspection program allowing pre-approved, low-risk travelers to be processed with little/no delay by U.S. and Canadian border officials. Approved applicants receive a NEXUS identification card. Canadian citizens may use traveler declaration cards, which are dropped in a box before entering the NEXUS lane, to make declarations. Travelers are then released, unless chosen for a selective or random referral. Applications are available at www.ccra.gc.ca/nexus or at local customs and immigration offices. For more info, visit www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca/nexus . At the time of printing, border crossings in Leeds-Grenville did not have a NEXUS lane but plans are underway for the Hill Island Bridge crossing.
Arriving in the U.S:
Frequent Boaters & The I-68 Pass:
Call 1-800-827-2851 to report arrival to U.S. Customs. Frequent, low-risk travelers may apply in person for an I-68 Permit that, when allowed, can streamline U.S. border clearance. Permits ($16/person; max. fee $32/family) are issued by U.S. authorities at Canadian ports of entry, e.g. Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto airports; international bridges and the following ports: Massena, Ogdensburg, Alexandria Bay, Lewiston, Wellesley Island.
Day travelers
Call 1-800-827-2851 to report arrival to U.S. Customs, and when available, use a videophone to report arrival to U.S. Immigration. Captain and passengers must complete Customs and Immigration inspections by showing proper identification and by declaring any goods being brought into the U.S. You will receive further instructions regarding inspections when you report.
Ports of Call
Key: * -has videophone
# - I-68 permits issued here
Massena(#), Waddington(*), Ogdensburg (*/#), Morristown(*), Alexandria Bay (*/#), Clayton(*), Cape Vincent, Sackets Harbour(*), Oswego(*), Sodus Point(*), Rochester Olcott(*), Point Breeze(*), Wilson(*), Youngstown(*), Lewiston(*/#), Tonawanda(*), Buffalo(*).
Private Vessels of 30' or Longer:
A $25 US/year fee and decal display are required: to request a CF-339 form, call 317-298-1300 x1245 (M-F,8-4), email: decals@customs.treas.gov , or download from www.customs.ustreas/gov/xp/cgov/travel/leavingreturntoUS/user_fee_decal.xml
IDENTIFICATION FOR TRAVELING BY VEHICLE, BOAT AND RV TO THE UNTED STATES AND CANADA
Carry two forms of proper identification including a photo ID:
- Passport
- Birth certificate or proof of citizenship/naturalization or Permanent Resident Card
- Driver's license (driver's license does not show citizenship, therefore, you must also carry a birth certificate or citizenship card)
Traveling with Children
All adults should carry identification such as birth certificate, passport or immigration document for the children traveling with them, regardless of age. Parents who share custody of their children should carry copies of legal custody documents. Any adult who is not a parent or guardian should have written permission to supervise the child from the parent or guardian as well as the child's identification. More information on border proofing children is available at:
www.ccra.gc.ca/newsroom/factsheets/2003/may/borderproof-e.html
Be prepared to present goods and receipts for inspection at bridge & ferry crossings.
Please note : When traveling in Canadian or U.S. waters, boaters are advised to carry passports even if you are not planning to stop on foreign soil. U.S. & Canada Customs and U.S. & Canada Coast Guard have the right to stop boaters and request landing at anytime.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CROSS BORDER AUTO & BOAT TRAVEL
Automated Customs Information Service
1-800-461-9999
Direct Lines
1-613-659-2301 or 1-613-925-4225
Canada Customs www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca
Canadian Coast guard www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/obs-bsn/facts/foreign_e.htm
Know Before You Go
www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/know_brochure/programs.xml
Border Wait Times
Wait times at area bridges are posted at http://forms.customs.gov/nemo/bordertimes/bordertimes.asp or check the CCRA web site at www.ccra.gc.ca/border for the latest waiting time of border crossings.
Travel Canada www.travelcanada.ca
U.S. Security Alert Status www.dhs.gov
U.S. Travel Alerts & Information - www.customs.gov
Calling ahead to confirm ports of call, event dates, ferry schedule, etc. is recommended when traveling.
Permanent Resident Cards
As of December 31,2003, Canadian residents who are landed immigrants/permanent residents, must carry a Permanent Resident card. Applications available in the office of Gord Brown, M.P. or on line at www.cic.gc.ca .
These cards do NOT apply to Canadian citizens. Until Dec31st, landed immigrants/permanent residents must carry IMM 1000 Record of Landing to allow entry back into Canada.
Returning to the U.S. or Canada with Purchases/Goods/Gifts:
Individuals returning to the U.S. or Canada in a 30-day period may bring $800/person of approved items without paying duty. Amounts of $10,000 or more in any form (US/Canadian cash, Traveler's Checks, Money Orders) must be declared
Exemption Limits (Bringing into Canada)
Detailed information on exemptions is available at www.ccra.gc.ca/customs .
The following information outlines the value in Canadian dollars of goods you can bring across the border without duty charges.
24 hours or more - $50
48 hours or more - $200
7 days or more - $750
For amounts over $750, GST and PST will apply.
Information:
www.ccra.gc.ca/customs/general/cmr/menu-e.html
Restrictions apply on the amount of alcohol and tobacco you can bring into Canada under your exemption.
Food Restrictions also apply in cross border travel. Call 613-659-2301 for details.
www.inspection.gc.ca (Canada)
www.fda.gov/opacom/hpwhats.html (U.S.)
Exemption Limits (Bringing back into U.S.)
24 hours or more - $200 (U.S. dollars)
48 hours or more - $800 (U.S. dollars)
Proof of Ownership, Insurance
Canada Customs requires proof of ownership, rental agreement or another owner's permission to use any car, trailer or boat you are driving. Proof of insurance, i.e. Non-resident Inter-provincial Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Card, is also required. Be advised: some health insurance policies do not cover care in Canada or U.S. It is recommended that you check into your individual health plan to determine coverage while out of the country.
Traveling with Pets?
Dog & Cat owners may generally travel with healthy pets and valid vaccination certificates (vaccination tags are insufficient. Current certificates mandatory)
Procedures subject to change per National Security Alert status, check www.dhs.gov
