Passports required to enter the U.S. by Boat

Starting Monday, June 1, 2009, everyone will need a passport to enter the U.S. by land or boat. Also accepted: NEXUS card, FAST Free and Secure Trade card, or enhanced drivers licence (in provinces where available). (Canada has not changed any requirements to enter Canada from the States.) [Homeland Security | U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP)]

NEXUS border program expanded

The NEXUS program is now the best way to frequently cross borders by recreational boat - as well as by car and plane. NEXUS is a joint program of Canada Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that facilitates fast, secure entry into either country for pre-approved, low-risk travellers. Since the NEXUS Air, Highway and Marine programs were combined in December, Canadians can cross the border at participating locations by car, using special lanes, at airports, using self-serve kiosks, and by boat, reporting by phone from 30 minutes to 4 hours prior to expected arrival. All on board must have NEXUS cards in order for the boat to take advantage of NEXUS reporting procedures. [General information about Entering the U.S. by boat]

When entering Canada at a designated Canadian NEXUS sites, the boat master must call the NEXUS Telephone Reporting Centre (TRC) at 1-866-996-3987 (or other centre). If non-NEXUS members are on board, you must arrive at a TRC site and immediately call CBSA at 1-888-226-7277. Only the boat master may leave the boat until authorization is given by the CBSA. [Canadian NEXUS Program (CBSA)]

When entering the U.S., the boat master must arrive at a “Physical Report Site” and call the local CBP reporting telephone number. If a border official is not at the landing site, you may proceed to your intended destination. If non-NEXUS members are on board, follow the same procedure. [U.S. NEXUS Program (CBP)]

NEXUS Program for Travel to the U.S.A.

NEXUS trusted traveler programs for air, marine and highway are now a single program. Canadians who get a NEXUS card ($80 good for 5 years) can cross the border more easily. Applicants must submit to a background check, be interviewed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, have their iris photographed, and be fingerprinted. A NEXUS membership can be used instead of a passport for travel to the U.S. after January 23, 2007.

For those subscribed to our feed at Boating in Canada News, please update the URL to: http://boatingincanada.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss