Canada

Private-vessel entry overview

Private vessels intending to land or stop in Canada must report to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and obtain permission under its guidance. Normally, use an open designated marine reporting site. Vessels with fewer than 30 people may follow the site's instructions to call the Telephone Reporting Centre (TRC), 1-888-226-7277, or report directly in person. Groups of 30 or more cannot clear by telephone on arrival: they must notify CBSA in writing at least 72 hours in advance and report in person at the designated site.

Foreign vessels merely passing through Canadian waters may qualify for a reporting exception only if all conditions are met, including no landing, anchoring, mooring, contact with other vessels or transfer of people/goods. Prohibited/restricted goods must still be declared. Follow the current CBSA page and designated-site directory.

Designated marine reporting sites

A private vessel's first Canadian stop must be at a currently designated, open CBSA marine reporting site. Some provide in-person border services, others telephone reporting. Before sailing, use the CBSA Office and Services Directory to verify designation, hours and service method; a port name alone does not establish border-clearance capability. At telephone sites, follow local instructions to call TRC on 1-888-226-7277. At direct-reporting sites, report to a CBSA officer. Groups of 30 or more must provide at least 72 hours' written notice and report in person as CBSA requires.

Pre-arrival reporting

Private vessels arriving from abroad and intending to land should normally use an open CBSA-designated marine reporting site. Those eligible for telephone reporting may call 1-888-226-7277 on reaching the telephone reporting site. Only the operator may leave the vessel to make the call; everyone else must remain aboard until authorised.

Special categories: Eligible NEXUS travellers and groups of 30 or more have different notification arrangements. The 72-hour written-notice requirement concerns groups of 30 or more, not all private yachts.

Official source: CBSA private-vessel reporting

Entry documents depend on each crew member's nationality, status and method of travel. Citizens of most countries/territories requiring an eTA generally do not need one when entering by boat, including a yacht, but must still have a valid passport. Visitors who require a visa still need it when arriving by sea. Different rules apply to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and US citizens, among others. Check Canada's official requirements for each person.

The skipper of a private vessel arriving in Canada must report to CBSA at a designated marine reporting site. If none is available, call 1-888-226-7277. Report the vessel, everyone aboard, carried goods and applicable visa details. Foreign-vessel temporary import has separate conditions, which must be confirmed with CBSA.

CBSA requires boat arrivals to declare food, plants, animals and related products and comply with applicable quarantine rules. The material does not provide a health-permission checklist covering every vessel. Confirm stores and animal-entry conditions with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and CBSA.

All travellers must declare prohibited/restricted goods, food, plants, animals, firearms/ammunition and controlled medicines. Cash or monetary instruments totalling CAN$10,000 or more must be declared. Certain transit-without-landing situations may be exempt from ordinary reporting, but restricted or prohibited goods still require declaration/permission.

Official source: CBSA declarations and cash threshold

Arrival procedures

Arrive at an open CBSA-designated marina/site authorised for private-vessel reporting and use telephone reporting or the applicable direct-reporting procedure. The operator obtains a CBSA report number or instructions for further inspection. Keep all people and goods aboard until authorised to avoid unlawful entry.

Official source: Official guidance

CBSA requires arriving private yachts to use a designated marine reporting site or call TRC as instructed there. Its ordinary telephone-reporting page lists no fixed clearance fee. Special-service charges may arise for officers working outside normal hours, outside a customs office's service area or in other exceptional circumstances. Confirm charges and arrangements with the responsible CBSA office.

Foreign visitors' temporarily imported yachts must leave within the declared conditions and time limit or receive an extension. A BSF375, if issued, generally need not be surrendered on final departure, but should remain aboard for inspection. An E29B temporary-admission permit must be discharged on departure as the document and officers direct; other document-controlled items may also need outward reporting. CBSA may still question travellers and inspect goods on departure. Declare cash and monetary instruments totalling CAN$10,000 or more to CBSA before leaving. Duties/taxes on a purchased yacht permanently imported into Canada differ from temporary visitor admission.