CBSA Alerts Private Boaters on Reporting Rules

Ottawa, Ontario

With boating season fast approaching, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds all private boaters of their entry and reporting obligations when navigating Canadian waters or entering Canada by boat. Understanding the reporting requirements will help keep our borders secure and ensure a safe and enjoyable season on the water.

Tips for boaters entering Canada:

• Know before you go. Before lifting anchor, be sure to review the CBSA's Reporting requirements for private boaters. All travellers entering Canada by boat must report to the CBSA without delay. Requirements vary depending on your itinerary, your nationality and number of passengers onboard.

• Making stops along the way? If you enter Canadian waters for a day and make no stops before leaving Canadian waters, you are not required to present yourself to CBSA. However you must report to the CBSA, if you:
  • land on Canadian soil
  • anchor, moor or come alongside another boat while in Canadian waters
  • disembark or embark people or goods in Canada

• If you are a foreign national, you must be admissible under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to enter Canada.

• All passengers onboard, regardless of their nationality, should have acceptable identification, such as a passport or NEXUS card.

• Canadian boaters returning to Canada: If you leave and re-enter Canadian waters, you are not required to present yourself and report your goods to the CBSA if you:
  • did not land outside Canada and did not anchor, moor or make contact with another conveyance while outside of Canadian waters
  • did not embark or disembark any people or goods while outside Canada

• Be prepared to declare. Declare everything you have with you upon entry into Canada.
  • Goods purchased, received or otherwise acquired abroad: If you are a resident of Canada, personal exemptions allow you to bring goods, including alcohol and tobacco (up to a certain value), back to Canada without paying regular duty and taxes. Make sure you know the value of goods you are bringing back in Canadian dollars and have your receipts available.

• Where do I declare? Most private boaters have two ways to report to the CBSA:
  • At a telephone reporting site, call the CBSA's Telephone Reporting Centre to request clearance toll free at 1-888-226-7277; or you can
  • report directly in-person at one of the open designated marine reporting site locations, staffed by the CBSA.