Boaters in my area that cruise the North Channel have obtained CANPASS cards to streamline entry into Canada and also obtained Form I-68 for return clearance to the US. It is my understanding that the NEXUS program eliminates the need for these two programs. Am I right on this? Does having a NEXUS membership allow a boater to clear, by phone, entry to Canada and return entry to the US?
NEXUS membership
- Thread starter reinbilt
- Start date
Canada's system is already so streamlined that I've never had a need to get a Canpass. Upon entry into Canada, leave your passengers on the boat, walk up to the dock and more than likely, you'll find a phone with instructions on how to call. (888-CAN-PASS) They keep an accurate database, so after the first time you call, they'll be able to use your MC numbers to lookup the boat AND passenger info. More and more often, agents will visit the docks to confirm the information you gave over the phone, but they've always been welcoming and polite. If you prefer to travel directly from US waters to a Canadian anchorage, then a Canpass is handy.
Our last marina was located a 1/2 mile from the border, so one year we decided to get I-68's. That's not so streamlined. They expire every year and require THREE passport-style photos (Kinko's only gives you two per shot). At least a few years ago, they didn't apply unless EVERYONE on the boat held one. That NEVER applied to us, so I never considered it again.
There's an OARS station on Mackinac Island, which to me seems like an easier way to re-enter from the North Channel.
After all this is said, I've never had a Nexus and don't even know anyone who has. Interesting concept though, so I hope you get some detailed replies.
Our last marina was located a 1/2 mile from the border, so one year we decided to get I-68's. That's not so streamlined. They expire every year and require THREE passport-style photos (Kinko's only gives you two per shot). At least a few years ago, they didn't apply unless EVERYONE on the boat held one. That NEVER applied to us, so I never considered it again.
There's an OARS station on Mackinac Island, which to me seems like an easier way to re-enter from the North Channel.
After all this is said, I've never had a Nexus and don't even know anyone who has. Interesting concept though, so I hope you get some detailed replies.
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reinbilt,
Go with the Nexus program. It is cheaper than the I-68 over the five years and it "may" (not yet but coming) eliminate the need to also carry a passport. You never have to use OARS, you call ahead while you are underway and if there are no customs officials waiting for your at your assigned dock, there is no inspection.
Plus, you use the NEXUS lanes when you drive your auto in and out of Canada and you use the NEXUS lines for customs when you fly - iris scan included.
It is the best program out there. My wife and I just returned from an overnight trip to Niagara Falls, much better view from the Canadian side. I thought it was going to be a long wait to get back to the USA because of the Easter traffic - no way! NEXUS users have their own bridge - the whirlpool bridge, only Nexus card holders can cross. I was the only vehicle on the bridge. The Peace Bridge had over an hours wait to get back.
Really great program and no hassle at all. Best of all, it is five years. Only drawback is that all passengers on your vessel must also have a NEXUS card or else you have to report the old way.
If you have any questions, PM me and I will give you my cell phone number.
Go with the Nexus program. It is cheaper than the I-68 over the five years and it "may" (not yet but coming) eliminate the need to also carry a passport. You never have to use OARS, you call ahead while you are underway and if there are no customs officials waiting for your at your assigned dock, there is no inspection.
Plus, you use the NEXUS lanes when you drive your auto in and out of Canada and you use the NEXUS lines for customs when you fly - iris scan included.
It is the best program out there. My wife and I just returned from an overnight trip to Niagara Falls, much better view from the Canadian side. I thought it was going to be a long wait to get back to the USA because of the Easter traffic - no way! NEXUS users have their own bridge - the whirlpool bridge, only Nexus card holders can cross. I was the only vehicle on the bridge. The Peace Bridge had over an hours wait to get back.
Really great program and no hassle at all. Best of all, it is five years. Only drawback is that all passengers on your vessel must also have a NEXUS card or else you have to report the old way.
If you have any questions, PM me and I will give you my cell phone number.
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Our home port is on the Canadian side on Lake St.Clair and we frequently boat over to the US side of Lake St.Clair.
We use to for years make a spring trip over to Port Huron or Detroit to get our I-68's. However, about 3 years ago my wife and young son got our Nexus cards. It saves that yearly trip over the border. We have used our Nexus cards to also speed up our border crossing with our vehicles.
Most of our boating friends have also purchased Nexus cards instead of the I-68's.
When we call into US Customs upon entering a US port we always give our Nexus number when reporting in. When reporting back into Canada once we give our vessel number and names we pretty much are just given a verbal confirmation number for our records that we called back in.
So far no complaints with using the our Nexus cards.
Mike.
We use to for years make a spring trip over to Port Huron or Detroit to get our I-68's. However, about 3 years ago my wife and young son got our Nexus cards. It saves that yearly trip over the border. We have used our Nexus cards to also speed up our border crossing with our vehicles.
Most of our boating friends have also purchased Nexus cards instead of the I-68's.
When we call into US Customs upon entering a US port we always give our Nexus number when reporting in. When reporting back into Canada once we give our vessel number and names we pretty much are just given a verbal confirmation number for our records that we called back in.
So far no complaints with using the our Nexus cards.
Mike.
joerileyii
Member
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I also have nexus, used it for land and air not water yet . drawbacks are everyone in car has to have the nexus card. took me 3 hours at the toronto airport to get mine. the only drawback by air is you have to wait for everyone else in your party to clear the normal customs so no real time gain if you travel with people that don't have it.
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The process is simple. It does require that you take a trip to Detroit/Windsor or Buffalo/Fort Erie, but besides the drive, it is simple. You do not have to get pictures taken and you do not have to return for five years. Hopefully there will be a easy process for renewing, I am not sure how that works yet.
Set up the appointment and do the trip in the winter, that is what my wife and I did. We had so much fun in Niagara Falls that we make it a yearly trip now. Spend the night, lose some money at the casinos and go to your appointment. It takes about 45 minutes and the majority of it is reviewing all of the rules on what and how much of everything you can bring across the border.
Because the NEXUS card eliminated that need for an inspection, the officers can now focus on us charter captains and our border crossing possible terrorist customers, but that is for another thread.
Set up the appointment and do the trip in the winter, that is what my wife and I did. We had so much fun in Niagara Falls that we make it a yearly trip now. Spend the night, lose some money at the casinos and go to your appointment. It takes about 45 minutes and the majority of it is reviewing all of the rules on what and how much of everything you can bring across the border.
Because the NEXUS card eliminated that need for an inspection, the officers can now focus on us charter captains and our border crossing possible terrorist customers, but that is for another thread.
I agree with Mike - wife and I got Nexus cards this winter. You can apply online now and set your appointment up. We had our cards within 3 weeks of application. Cross border travel now by car is a pleasure, can't wait to use it on the boat.
-Ron
-Ron