Border Crossing Requirements for 2008

[yukonjack2]

I was having lunch in Imlay City on monday, and luckily two US Customs and Border Protection Officers were seated right next to me.  Naturally curious as to the current state of requirements, I struck up a conversation and asked them specifically.  Here is what they said:

If your Boat is less than 31 feet long, and you don't touch ground in Canada - including tying up to a moored boat, or anchoring - fishing on bottom does not count, you have free egress across the border. 

If you do Touch ground, you must abide by candian requirements to enter(he was not familiar with).  Upon return, you must call and check in with US customs  (810)985-9541 #235  for Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair river.  He said there is a Detroit # for the Detroit River and Lake EERie, but did not know it off hand.  He explained they usually just give you a two minute phone interview, and let you go, although if an officer is in the area they could dispatch him to check you out.  So leave enough time in a tourney to make sure you make it back on time.

He did say if you have a passport, have it with you - although its not required.  You do need two things - Picture ID (i.e. drivers license), and proof of citizenship(raised seal birth certificate, or voters registration card.

If there are any specific questions, he gave me his contact info:

Tery Ruff
Chief A-TCET
US Department of Homeland Security
US Customs and Border Protection
2321 Pine Grove Avenue
Port Huron, MI 48060
(810)985-9541
terry.ruff@dhs.gov

[djkimmel]

I was glad to see the passport requirements have been delayed until 2009. I had a couple interesting discussions with US Customs and Canadian MNR at the Novi show. It seems to me the messages are getting more consistent thankfully.

I learned a few things that contradict what we've been passing back and forth as a measure of course, but before I post anything else, I plan to follow up with both sides in a direct conversation on the topics to make sure I remember things right, and therefore pass them along accurately here. Gives me a chance to take notes and make sure I hear the same things again.

[VinceR]

It appears that there will be a lower cost option (than a passport) for when they DO activate the process, available in the near future. The plan is for the PASS (People, Access Security Service) Card or Passport card to be used as an alternative to the passport for land and water travel, and border crossing. It sounds like they are still trying to develop a format that will satisfy all of the security issues.

The proposal is for a plastic, wallet sized card with embedded electronic information (that can be read with a scanner) identifying the card holder's citizenship information. This will be much more acceptable than carrying your passport when you are fishing. I started carrying my passport last year, just to be on the safe side, but would much rather leave it home in a nice secure and dry place. I will be looking into the PASS Card when they become available.

They were supposed to be ready to start taking applications for it in February, but it appears that there may be a delay. You can go here for more information, and to sign up to receive an e-mail notification when they are ready to start taking applications:
www.uspasscard.com.

[MadWags]

Thanks for that Vince

[Dan]

As always GLB has the best info from the best anglers around. Thanks Vince. I'm on the list.

[Dan]

I was in the post office today and they said the new passport card paper work was suppose to be in their branch by the first. Just an F.Y.I.

[Durand Dan]

I went to the link and signed up for e-mail notification when they start to issue them

[bshaner]

What ticks me off is that your good ole US Military ID card is no longer considered a valid form of ID for travel purposes. 

B

[Team houston]

For the last couple of years I have kept a laminated copy of my passport in my tackle box. It has all the info and paired with a drivers license I don't expect any problems.

[VinceR]

Actually, Brian, your Military ID is acceptable if you are traveling under orders. If you're not under orders, it is still acceptable if you also have an official copy of your birth certificate.

As for passport copies, Team H, you may want to verify that it is acceptable. It seems that I read somewhere that copies won't be accepted as proof of citizenship. I tried to find it but, couldn't. For fishing purposes, the Border Patrol would probably be the best source for clarification.

Go here for a list of accepted ID:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/ready_set_go/land_travel/chnge_in_proced.xml

For 2008, it may not be an issue, but it looks like they want to complete implementation by June of 2009. I'll get my PASScard this year to be on the safe side. Last thing I want is some overzealous officer to give me a hard time when I'm bustin' it to get back in time for weigh-in. I already carry my passport (in a ziplock bag inside of a small, floating "drysack". I want to stop that.

The whole issue here is not identification, but to prove citizenship.

[Dan]

Just don't tie up to Kimmel's Russian sub buddies and you'll be all right.

[SethV]

Everyone should get a passport anyway.  Not a big deal to get one, and then you don't have to worry about which documents to carry.

It is not hard to get one - even my 1 year old and 4 year old have them.

If you would have trouble and have to take the boat out of the water in Canada (engine trouble, ect) - you would be glad you have the passport.

Seth

[bshaner]

Unless things have change in the last couple of years, I've had buddies who had to get passports to travel when not on orders.  In fact I had one of my guys get held up in Europe for a couple of days because he had no passport.

Maybe things have loosened up since everyone has forgotten 911 by now?

B

[VinceR]

Brian, I think they are referring to traveling by land and water (when they state that a Military ID, with birth certificate are acceptable). A passport is still really the only universally accepted form of identification accepted for non-military (international) air travel.

As I stated above, I carried my passport in the boat all year, last year. However, when the PASScard becomes available, I will get one so that I don't have to carry my passport in the boat. I pretty much left it in there because I didn't want to have to rely on my memory every time I fished Erie or St. Clair. The PASScard (which will be "wallet-sized") is meant to eliminate the need to carry a passport when traveling by land or water. To me, it is particularly attractive for the latter. That, plus for those who don't want to spend $100.00 for a passport, the PASScard will be cheaper (supposedly, about half that).

[terryruff]

I was having lunch in Imlay City on monday, and luckily two US Customs and Border Protection Officers were seated right next to me.  Naturally curious as to the current state of requirements, I struck up a conversation and asked them specifically.  Here is what they said:

If your Boat is less than 31 feet long, and you don't touch ground in Canada - including tying up to a moored boat, or anchoring - fishing on bottom does not count, you have free egress across the border. 

If you do Touch ground, you must abide by candian requirements to enter(he was not familiar with).  Upon return, you must call and check in with US customs  (810)985-9541 #235  for Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair river.  He said there is a Detroit # for the Detroit River and Lake EERie, but did not know it off hand.  He explained they usually just give you a two minute phone interview, and let you go, although if an officer is in the area they could dispatch him to check you out.  So leave enough time in a tourney to make sure you make it back on time.

He did say if you have a passport, have it with you - although its not required.  You do need two things - Picture ID (i.e. drivers license), and proof of citizenship(raised seal birth certificate, or voters registration card.

If there are any specific questions, he gave me his contact info:

Tery Ruff
Chief A-TCET
US Department of Homeland Security
US Customs and Border Protection
2321 Pine Grove Avenue
Port Huron, MI 48060
(810)985-9541
terry.ruff@dhs.gov

[terryruff]

A clarification to message from Yukonjack on border crossing requirements for 2008. Any vessel, no matter of length, that lands/docks in Canada must report via phone to Customs & Border Protection (CBP) in US upon return. This includes vessels that tie up to Canadian vessels or US vessels that have docked in Canada. Vessels that just fish in Canadian waters, do not have contact with land or other Canadian vessels, do not have to report  to CBP upon return.

For your information, US and Canada vessels that over 30', that have docked in Canada are required to purchase a CBP user fee decal.The fee is $27.50.

Terry Ruff
CBP/Port Huron

[SethV]

Terry -

What about refueling in Canada?  If I don't leave my boat or tie up to the dock, do I still have to call in?

I know, splitting hairs, but I don't want to have any trouble.

Seth

[Eric]

Terry,

I think it is great that you have registered and are posting.  There a ton of questions and misconceptions out there.  You clarifying and being active here is awesome and will make things easier.  Thanks.

[MadWags]

Welcome Terry Ruff.

[REEL_MAN]

Terry,
Welcome aboard, it's going to be good to have someone that is in direct contact with the requirements!  No more he said, they said.

REEL MAN