The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) would like to remind all travelers who are arriving in Canada by marine pleasure craft that they have to follow several rules and regulations as we head into the Canada Day holiday weekend.

Here’s a list of things boaters should know:

  • All private boaters who intend to land on Canadian soil, or who have departed Canadian waters, landed on U.S. soil and subsequently return to Canada, are required to report to a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) designated marine reporting site.
  • Upon arrival at a CBSA designated marine reporting site, the master of the vessel is to call the Telephone Reporting Centre (TRC) at 1-888-226-7277 from the phone provided to obtain clearance.  No one except the master may leave the boat until CBSA gives authorization. The reporting site in Osoyoos is at the Starlite Marina, and a phone is available in the hotel.
  • Certain private boaters may contact the CBSA by calling the TRC at 1-888-226-7277 from their cellular telephones upon arrival in Canadian waters. This includes:
    • Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have not landed on U.S. soil; and
    • U.S. citizens and permanent residents who do not plan on landing on Canadian soil.
  • Private boaters who are strictly weaving in and out of Canadian waters but are not in transit, are required to call the TRC only once at the time of their initial entry into Canadian waters.  If this activity changes, i.e., the vessel docks in Canada or takes on new persons or goods while in foreign waters, the boaters must report to a CBSA designated marine reporting site and call the TRC to obtain clearance.
  • All other private boaters, including those without cellular telephones, must proceed to a CBSA designated marine telephone reporting site and place a call to the TRC to obtain CBSA clearance.  This includes all vessels carrying individuals who are not Canadian or U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
  • The CBSA’s Trusted Traveller programs streamline the border clearance process for pre-approved, low-risk travellers. NEXUS and CANPASS members can provide advance notice to the CBSA at least 30 minutes (minimum) and up to four hours (maximum) prior to arriving in Canada by calling the NEXUS Telephone Reporting Centre at 1-866-99-NEXUS (1-866-996-3987) and 1-888-CANPASS (1-888-226-7277) respectively. For more information on how to apply to NEXUS and CANPASS, as well as the full requirements and benefits of the programs, visit our NEXUS  or CANPASS pages.
  • While Canadian authorities do not inspect every vessel entering Canadian waters, private boaters are required to obey the law and comply with reporting requirements.  Canadian law enforcement authorities do patrol Canada’s coasts and inland waterways and have the authority to stop any vessel having recently entered Canadian waters.
  • Failure to report may result in detention, seizure or forfeiture of the vessel and/or monetary penalties. The minimum fine for failing to report to the CBSA upon entry to Canada is $1,000.

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Osoyoos Times