Hi George

I'm a Canadian. If I cross into the USA by car, I pull up to a passport
& customs control point with proper ID and go through. No forms and no(t
much) hassle. Ditto on my return to Canada.

Obviously, I can't do the same thing in a boat, and since I have a
choice of going to the Poulsbo Trawlerfest by boat or by car, I'd be
grateful for a bit more of your personal experience.

I remain somewhat confused by the inter-relationship of 1) the US
cruising licence, 2) the $25 user fee decal, and 3) the I-68. Is the
I-68 required together with either the licence or decal? And, can you
check in with US customs on departure by phone or must it be in person
at a designated control point? I also assume/hope that Customs Forms
1300 through 1304 (see below) are available at the entry point? Is the
I-68 as well?

The relevant website is http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/travel/vessel.htm
and it says:

"The master of a foreign-flag or undocumented foreign pleasure boat must
report its arrival to U.S. Customs immediately and must make formal
entry (see section that follows on cruising licenses) within 48 hours.
In the absence of a cruising license, vessels in this category must
obtain a permit before proceeding to each subsequent U.S. port.

Navigation fees will be charged for the formal entry, the permit to
proceed, and for the clearance of foreign-flag pleasure boats. It is not
necessary for foreign-flag vessels making formal entry and operating
under a cruising license to acquire a $25 user fee decal.

The master of every foreign-flagged vessel arriving in the U.S. and
required to make entry must have a complete legible manifest consisting
of Customs Forms (CF) 1300 through 1304 and a passenger list.

Pleasure boats from foreign countries must obtain clearance before
leaving a port or place in the U.S. and proceeding to a foreign port or
place or for another port or place in the U.S."

With respect to Cruising Licences:

"Cruising licenses exempt pleasure boats of certain countries from
having to undergo formal entry and clearance procedures such as filing
manifests and obtaining permits to proceed as well as from the payment
of tonnage tax and entry and clearance fees at all but the first port of
entry. These licenses can be obtained from the U.S. Customs port
director at the first port of arrival in the United States. Normally
valid for one year, a cruising license has no bearing on the dutiability
of a pleasure boat."

Thanks, Garrett

Garrett, the I68 applies to (non-US) people, occupants of small boats (those
not requiring a cruising permit or decaled US entrance), not the boat. It is
issued and charged per person. My thinking is that it is a peculiarity of
the Great Lakes ports, local US immigration just don't seem to worry about
it, and with all the suspended rules post 9-11 who knows?

Anne Reeves and Jennifer Hamilton have the closest take on the current
reality.

Richard