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CANPASS returns but it’s not the same

By Meg Olson

Last month the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and Canada Customs and immigration authorities announced their pre-clearance programs for U.S. and Canadian pleasure boaters were back in place for this year’s boating season. However, revisions to the Canadian program have eliminated any added convenience it once offered, and the U.S. program isn’t quite on its feet yet.

Both the CANPASS and the I-68 U.S. boat permit programs were suspended following September 11 due to security risks but have been modified to meet today’s security needs, according to press releases from the agencies administering the programs.

The CANPASS system covers both customs and immigration requirements for boats entering Canadian waters. The program now costs CDN$25, but an April & letter from program manager Dawn Lynch said an increase in fees was anticipated. CANPASS participants call a toll-free number before they cross the border and get a clearance number. Before September 11, that eliminated the need to go to a port where inspection services are available, but not anymore. Participating boaters now need to go a “CANPASS designated reporting site,” which at this time, with one exception in Nanaimo, is the same as a regular reporting site. Boaters
headed for the islands still have one place they need to go, CANPASS participants or not – Bedwell Harbor. “The program at this time really has no value,” admitted an operator at the CANPASS toll-free number.
Canada Customs communications manager Paula Shore said she was unfamilar with changes to the program and thought the need to report to an inspection station had pre-dated September 11. She was unaware of any plans to review the requirement.

CANPASS application information is available at www.ccra.gc.ca orfrom the regional office at 604/535-9346.

The INS has restated their boat permit program but not all local ports have the forms yet. “The forms are on their way,” said INS representative Garrison Courtney. At the Point Roberts port of entry, port director James Hutchins said they now have the forms and are ready to process applications.

Boaters over 14 can pay $16 and come to the port for an interview to be admitted to the program. Families with children under 14 pay $32 to have the children included on a parent’s I-68. Applicants will be fingerprinted and need to bring in photographs that meet INS standards (instructions are available from the port.)

Holders of the I-68 do not need to check in with immigration authorities when they cross the border on a pleasure boat, but they still need to check in with customs.

The U.S. Customs small boat reporting system was not suspended after September 11 and does not have any membership fees. The first time a vessel enters U.S. waters it needs to go to an official reporting site, which include Blaine, Friday Harbor, Point Roberts and 11 other sites, pick up a dock phone and call customs officials, who may come and inspect the vessel. After that first check-in, boaters are given an identification number that they can call in with as they enter U.S. waters on their next trip and, if cleared, they do not have to report to an inspection station. No matter where they check in, foreign pleasure boats over 30 feet need to pay a $30 annual fee to cruise in U.S. waters..

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