Canada - Clearance
ARRIVAL FORMALITIES
The latest reporting requirements for private boaters can be found on the Canada Border Services Agency website (CBSA) at https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/pb-pp-eng.html.
General Process:
Skippers of private boats entering Canadian waters should report to the CBSA either by telephone, or directly in-person at one of 10 marine reporting site locations.
See the CBSA website for full details, or contact the Border Information Service (BIS) at 1-800-461-9999.
Customs will want to know:
- Vessel’s name
- Registration number
- Last port of call
- List of ports intending to visit
- Crew List
- All personal goods being imported (see Customs for details)
After reporting, you will either be cleared to enter or required to remain for further examination. Once Customs have cleared you, you will receive a “report number” which should be displayed in a visible position for inspectors.
For frequent cross-border boaters, there is NEXUS program which is available to low risk, pre-screened Canadian and US citizens that simplifies the clearance procedures for them. For details of the NEXUS program, see the Canada Border Services/NEXUS program website.
Domestic Cruising:
In poor visibility, yachts can contact the local Traffic (VHF Channel 13 or 14) and report their position, route and speed, and receive information on any large ships they may encounter.
Fundy Traffic can be contacted on VHF Channel 11 on the way to St John and will help when visibility is bad. Halifax Traffic on VHF Channel 14 offers similar assistance to yachtsmen.
The Canadian Coast Guard monitors VHF Channel 16.
Full details if arriving by yacht can be found at at Reporting Requirements for Private Boaters.
Last updated: November 2022
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As of early June, Canada Border Services has placed a temporary hold on Shelburne, Nova Scotia as a port of entry
The latest information we have (as of 9 June, 2020) is that Newfoundland has closed its borders indefinitely including for citizens of Canada. See https://nsocl.wccstaging.com/place/canada/formalities#biosecurity-section for updates.
Quebec City marina
The best advice is to contact the Canadian Reporting station and ensure that your passports are properly stamped on departure and to have all your official boat papers (including insurance) in order. The USA Customs & Border Protection (CBP) service does not normally issue a zarpe for boats leaving their shores and, conversely, does not appear to expect one on those arriving either.
I have a British-flagged vessel and will be leaving Canada for the US in May. I can find no reference anywhere on Transport Canada, or elsewhere, of ‘outbound clearance’ requirements. I am familiar with the entry requirements for the US… Is there a zarpe or equivalent, in order to leave Canada?
Regarding pepper spray: bear spray is fine. There is a size limitation and it to be designed for use with bears (it’s all in the labelling).