Canada immigration and customs practice changes periodically. At the time of this writing, there were no further COVID-related restrictions and the previously obligatory ArriveCAN application has been deprecated.
For US vessels wishing to enter Canada, the process is simply:
- Dock at a designated entry port (you may not report arrival from an anchorage)
- Call +1 (888) 226-7277 to report arrival and answer questions
- Once given a report number, post it visibly on a port window
Information typically requested includes:
- Vessel registration number and characteristics
- Crew member names and ID numbers (passport, Nexus, enhanced drivers license)
- Information about firearms, tobacco, alcohol and cannabis being brought in
- Information about produce and meat being brought in
Hold times on the reporting line can be long during peak season. If you speak French, selecting the French language line is usually faster.
Personal “ship store” quantities of alcohol are tolerated. Firearms and Cannabis (although legal in Canada) are not. Recently, there’s been more focus on produce and meats. Essentially, anything that is also grown in the province of Ontario may not be brought in. Make sure to address this before leaving the USA as even disposing of this items in Canada is not permitted.
Occasionally, authorities opt to board and inspect your vessel. That’s happened to us once when entering the Welland Canal from Lake Erie. Crew members are required to leave the boat during the inspection.