Telephone Reporting - Private Boats

When a private pleasure boat enters Canada, the boat owner/operator shall report to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) by telephone. Commercial vessels entering Canada cannot use this method of reporting.

How does it work?

The boat owner/operator shall contact the CBSA’s Telephone Reporting Centre (TRC) immediately upon arrival at a Telephone Reporting Site – Marine (TRS/M) by calling 1-888-226-7277. If the 1-888 service is not available, boat owners/operators can call the normal business number for the appropriate TRC; however, long-distance charges may apply. The contact numbers for the TRCs are as follows:

The boat owner/operator shall provide the TRC with the following information:

• Location of docking site (must be a TRS/M);
• Licence or registration number and name (if applicable) of the boat;
• Final destination of the boat in Canada;
• Full name, date of birth, citizenship and residency of all persons on board;
• Destination, purpose of the trip and length of stay in Canada (for each non-Canadian resident);
• Length of absence from Canada (for each Canadian resident);
• Goods being imported by all persons on board, including food, plants, animals and related products, firearms and weapons;
• All repairs or modifications made to the goods (including the boat) while outside of Canada (for returning residents of Canada only); and
• All currency and monetary instruments of a value equal to or greater than CAN$10,000.

All private boats must dock at a TRS/M during the normal business hours for the local CBSA office, unless alternate arrangements have been made.

Other than the boat owner/operator proceeding to a telephone to report, no person aboard shall leave the boat until authorized to do so by the CBSA. The boat owner/operator shall present the conveyance, along with all goods and persons for examination if requested by a border services officer.

Proof of presentation

As proof of presentation, the boat owner/operator will be provided a report number by the TRC or an onsite border services officer. He/she shall display the report number on the dockside of the boat, present it when requested by a border services officer and retain the number for the entire trip in Canada.

Declaring goods

All persons can import goods for their own personal use; however, importing requirements and restrictions apply. Consult the following publications for more information:

• Cross Border Currency Reporting
• BSF5044: Importing a Firearm or Weapon Into Canada
• RC4161: Information for Visitors to Canada and Seasonal Residents
• BSF5056: I Declare

Importing a private pleasure boat

If you are a Canadian resident importing a pleasure boat, you must declare the importation of the vessel upon its initial arrival in Canada to the TRC officer and follow their instructions. If processing cannot take place at the marina, you may be required to report to the closest CBSA office and pay applicable duty and taxes. Please ensure that you have the bill of sale and proof of ownership ready to present to the border services officer. It is recommended that you keep proof of the CBSA declaration or of payment of duty and taxes on board the boat for future reference.

Exceptional circumstances

If a boat has to dock at a place not designated for telephone reporting due to weather conditions or emergencies, the boat owner/operator shall call either 1-888-226-7277, or the nearest CBSA office or a Royal Canadian Mounted Police office immediately upon docking. Depending on the circumstances, the boat may be cleared over the telephone, or instructed to wait for a border services officer, or asked to report to the nearest TRS/M at the first opportunity.

More information

For more information, see the brochure called Coming to Canada by Small Aircraft or Recreational Boat (BSF5061) or the memorandum called Telephone Reporting for Private Boats and CANPASS - Private Boats Program (D2-5-12). You can also call the Border Information Service toll-free line at 1-800-461-9999 from anywhere in Canada. If you are outside Canada, call 204-983-3500 or 506-636-5064. Long-distance charges apply.

If you frequently travel to Canada directly from the United States on a small private pleasure boat, the CANPASS – Private Boats program or the NEXUS program could be for you. Both programs provide expedited customs and immigration clearance for low-risk, pre-screened persons entering Canada by private pleasure boat.