Greg Han asks... My boat is a 48' and I have a 2006 Customs decal I will enter Canada once or twice in the thousand islands or Richelieu River and leave in NE Maine Is is worth the trouble of getting an I-68 form. Are customs stations convenient enough that checking in would be no problem? Dennis replies... In my experience entry and re-entry is the barest minimum of trouble. At the border at the northern end of Lake Champlain, Canada Customs has their own dock just north of the border at Rouses Point, NY on the west side of the river. Vessels are usually asked to come along side there for a few questions related to how long you intend to stay and where you intend to re-enter the US. On the St. Lawrence, several Canadian towns have Canadian Customs toll free phones (Kingston, Gananoque, Rockport, Mallorytown Landing, among others) where a quick call suffices. I've not personally re-entered the US along the Maine coast, but on the St. Lawrence and Richeleau Rivers all towns of any consequence have video phones which connect to a central US Customs office in Champlain, NY. An interesting difference in policies is that the US wants the entire crew on hand at the video phone, while the Canadians want only the vessel's Master to make the declaration while the crew remains on board until clearance is obtained. With increasing security everywhere, I also suggest every person on board carry a passport although to date I've not been asked for one at either the US or Canada border. In my experience, while the potential for actual inspection or search is minimal either coming or going across the border, I never have cigarettes, guns, or spirits beyond the maximum allowed. And, these folks have a very small tolerance for humor at the border. Yes or no answers only, be friendly and non-confrontational, and you'll have an easy entry/re-entry. Enjoy the cruise, and keep the List posted of your activity! Dennis Dennis Bruckel, Cruising Editor Waterway Guide M/V Sadie B, Albin 27 Cell 407 414 0531 Website: www.debruckel.com A man who is not afraid of the sea will be drowned, for he'll be going out on a day when he shouldn't. The Arron Islands, J. M. Synge

Does anyone on the list have experience with US/Canadian Customs clearance on the Maine coast? We plan on being in Eastport next summer, as a side-trip on our great-loop trip, and might want to slip into Canada while in the area. <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>Mozilla Thunderbird<><><><><><><><><><><><> Bob McLeran and Judy Young Manatee Cove Marina M/V Sanderling Patrick Air Force Base Hampton 35 Trawler Melbourne, Florida On 1/13/2006 6:51 AM, Dennis Bruckel wrote: > I've not personally re-entered the US along the Maine coast, but on the St. > Lawrence and Richeleau Rivers all towns of any consequence have video > phones which connect to a central US Customs office in Champlain, NY.

We cleared into Eastport twice last summer with absolutely no problem - 

We cleared into Eastport twice last summer with absolutely no problem - probably the easiest of the half dozen authorized ports in Maine. Tie up to one of six large floating docks, walk up past the CG station to 24 hour Customs station and clear in. Ross Babcock Second Wish NE-400 Yarmouth, Maine ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob McLeran" <rmcleran@ix.netcom.com> To: "great-loop" <great-loop@lists.samurai.com> Sent: Friday, January 13, 2006 7:58 AM Subject: Re: GL: Eastern Canada Customs > Does anyone on the list have experience with US/Canadian Customs > clearance on the Maine coast? We plan on being in Eastport next summer, > as a side-trip on our great-loop trip, and might want to slip into > Canada while in the area. > > <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>Mozilla Thunderbird<><><><><><><><><><><><> > Bob McLeran and Judy Young Manatee Cove Marina > M/V Sanderling Patrick Air Force Base > Hampton 35 Trawler Melbourne, Florida > > > On 1/13/2006 6:51 AM, Dennis Bruckel wrote: > >> I've not personally re-entered the US along the Maine coast, but on the >> St. >> Lawrence and Richeleau Rivers all towns of any consequence have video >> phones which connect to a central US Customs office in Champlain, NY. > _______________________________________________ > http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop

We cleared into Eastport twice last summer with absolutely no problem -

Regarding the north channel area: Last summer Canadian customs were aggressively interviewing and inspecting boats that had cleared Canadian customs by phone or in person in other parts of Ontario. One boater had cleared in Sarnia in May and in July customs officials in Little Current insisted on boarding and inspecting his boat as if he were clearing for the first time. They wanted him to pay duty on alcohol he had purchased since clearing customs. We cleared in Meldrum Bay by phone, then were interviewed and inspected in Gore Bay less than ten minutes after docking, then the same agents wanted to perform official duties with us in Little Current. We declared our beer, wine and booze on board and paid $54.00 duty. Play by the rules and keep you paperwork and numbers from clearing in eastern Canada. Marlys Vickers Ahzmyrah Currently at Clearwater Municipal Marina where they will be closing the fuel docks for two weeks beginning Tuesday Jan 17. -----Original Message----- From: great-loop-bounces@lists.samurai.com [mailto:great-loop-bounces@lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of Ross Babcock Sent: Friday, January 13, 2006 9:54 PM To: Bob McLeran; great-loop Subject: Re: GL: Eastern Canada Customs We cleared into Eastport twice last summer with absolutely no problem - probably the easiest of the half dozen authorized ports in Maine. Tie up to one of six large floating docks, walk up past the CG station to 24 hour Customs station and clear in. Ross Babcock Second Wish NE-400 Yarmouth, Maine ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob McLeran" <rmcleran@ix.netcom.com> To: "great-loop" <great-loop@lists.samurai.com> Sent: Friday, January 13, 2006 7:58 AM Subject: Re: GL: Eastern Canada Customs > Does anyone on the list have experience with US/Canadian Customs > clearance on the Maine coast? We plan on being in Eastport next summer, > as a side-trip on our great-loop trip, and might want to slip into > Canada while in the area. > > <><><><><><><><><><><><><><>Mozilla Thunderbird<><><><><><><><><><><><> > Bob McLeran and Judy Young Manatee Cove Marina > M/V Sanderling Patrick Air Force Base > Hampton 35 Trawler Melbourne, Florida > > > On 1/13/2006 6:51 AM, Dennis Bruckel wrote: > >> I've not personally re-entered the US along the Maine coast, but on the >> St. >> Lawrence and Richeleau Rivers all towns of any consequence have video >> phones which connect to a central US Customs office in Champlain, NY. > _______________________________________________ > http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop _______________________________________________ http://lists.samurai.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop