Northwest Multihull Sailing Charters

Customs Information

All of the following assumes that you have not been pre-screened with either the I-68 program or the NEXUS program (CanPass in Canada). If you do have an I-68 permit or a NEXUS card, be aware that ALL on the boat must have one in order to use the system.

Passports are now required for yourself and your crew:

Procedures:

Customs procedures on both sides are very courteous, civilized, and simple. These few steps will help keep it that way.

Cardinal Rule: Touch land at customs dock before any other stops. The crew may help you secure the boat at the customs dock, but should get back on board while the skipper clears customs.

I. CLEARING INTO CANADA

· Normally you would enter through Bedwell Harbor, Sydney, Victoria, or White Rock

· Common things to avoid: *apples, pitted fruit, potatoes, corn on the cob, firewood

*per adult: more than 1.5 liter of wine, or 1.14 liter spirits, or 24 cans of beer per adult. More than 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 2 kilograms of tobacco. (Further information 250-363-3618)

· Procedure:

1. Write down the documentation number from the ship's papers, and the names, citizenship, birth date, and residence of passengers. Bring that and your charter agreement to the office or dock phone. Leave the ship's papers on board. Have ID of children aboard, and written permission if they are not your children. Only the skipper may leave the boat until after you have cleared customs – ALL OTHER PASSENGERS MUST REMAIN ONBOARD UNTIL CLEARED! Call 888-226-7277 from customs dock.

2. You will be issued a Canadian clearance number. You must display this number on the dockside of the boat. You will also use it for reporting to U.S. customs.

II. CLEARING BACK INTO THE USA

· Normally you would enter through Friday Harbor, Roche Harbor, Point Roberts. You can also enter at Bellingham, but the procedure is a bit different (see 4. below). I-68 and NEXUS users just call 800-562-5943.

· Summer hours (May 14 - Sept. 16) are 8:00am to 8:00pm. If the office is closed when you arrive, call 1-800-562-5943.

· Each person may bring articles valued up to $200 duty free if out of the U.S. for less than 48 hours or $400 if more than 48 hours. (Family members may not combine exemptions.) U.S. will disallow some product from Canada including eggs, beef and chicken, citrus.

· Procedure:

1. Bring the number from the Customs User Fee sticker (affixed to the bulkhead aft and under the galley). That number tells Customs that we have already paid the $25 entry fee for you.

2. Bring the Canadian Customs clearance number with you.

3. Log the US "Clearance number" for your protection.

4. Special procedure for entering at Bellingham: You must call the customs office at Bellingham for an appointment to be inspected. If you have a cell phone aboard, use that to call, well in advance of your arrival. If you have no cell phone aboard, you may call from the customes dock at Bellingham, but be prepared to wait at least 30 minutes. And remember, no one can leave the boat except the skipper, and then only to make the call. (see below for phone numbers)

CANADIAN CUSTOMS OFFICES

· Bedwell Harbor (S. Pender Island) 8am - 10 pm; Open May through September. 888-226-7277

· Victoria and Sydney manned 24 hours, all year. Victoria: 250-363-3339 Sydney: 250-363-6644 or 888-226-7277

· White Rock - (nearer Blaine than Pt. Roberts) 24 hrs, 604-531-7581 or 888-226-7277.

· Nanaimo - 24 hrs, (250)754-0341 or 1-888-226-7277.

· CanPass – Six to eight weeks processing, $25 fee, immediate family only. Toll free: 888-226-7277.

UNITED STATES CUSTOMS OFFICES

· Bellingham – 360-734-5463 (no customs dock) or 800-562-5943

· Friday Harbor – 360-378-2080 (customs dock normally manned, call 800 number after hours)

· Roche Harbor - same phone and policies as Friday Harbor

· Point Roberts - 360-945-2314 (customs dock normally manned, call 800 number after hours)

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