As the summer officially begins, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) would like to remind travellers about the reporting requirements when entering Canada. All persons entering Canada must report their arrival to the CBSA. This is as true for someone driving across the border as it is for someone boating to Canada.
Here are some tips to make your cross-border experience smoother:
Requirements for boaters: When entering Canadian waters, the master of the vessel must report their arrival to the CBSA without delay. All private boaters who intend to land on Canadian soil, or who have departed Canadian waters and landed on U.S. soil, are required to report to a CBSA designated marine reporting site in person. Upon arrival at a CBSA designated marine reporting site, follow the posted instructions on how to receive CBSA clearance. The marine telephone reporting site for the Osoyoos area is located at the Osoyoos Starlite Marina.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have left Canadian waters and have not landed on U.S. soil, and U.S. citizens and permanent residents who do not plan to land on Canadian soil but have crossed the border while cruising may use their cellular telephone to call the CBSA telephone reporting centre at 1-888-226-7277 to report their presence in Canadian waters.
Food, Plant and Animal Products: Did you know that a piece of fruit or meat you bring back to Canada with you could be harmful to our ecosystems? Certain food, plants, animals and related products are restricted or prohibited because they can harbour foreign animal and plant pests and diseases. Canadian law requires that you declare all food, plants and animals and related products that you are bringing into Canada. If you do not declare your products, the CBSA could confiscate them and you could face monetary penalties, and/or prosecution.
Due to the expansion of the poultry ban, the CBSA would like to remind travellers that poultry and poultry products coming from the United States are currently inadmissible due to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) regulations. For more information on the current avian influenza outbreak, please visit the CFIA’s website at www.inspection.gc.ca, or contact the CFIA at 613-773-6600.
Importing firewood, fireworks or firearms: Before attempting to import these items into Canada, make sure you have the information you require to avoid possible penalties, including seizure or prosecution. As invasive insects and diseases can exist in firewood, it cannot be imported into Canada without a permit. For more information, consult our fact sheets specific to firearms, firewood, and fireworks.
Quotes
“As we prepare for another busy summer, we want to help make the cross-border experience easier by ensuring that visitors and returning Canadians are aware of the reporting requirements under the Customs Act. The CBSA is committed to facilitating the free flow of travellers and goods while protecting our borders and communities.”
Mark Zelenika
A/Director, Okanagan and Kootenay District, Canada Border Services Agency
Associated Links
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Contacts
CBSA Media Relations
Vancouver, B.C.
604-818-9701
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