With summer rapidly approaching, boating season is in full swing on Lake Osoyoos and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) would like to remind all boaters of their reporting obligations under the Customs Act when travelling between Canada and the United States.
“The CBSA is committed to ensuring the integrity of Canada’s border, regardless of how someone arrives. Visiting a designated marine telephone reporting centre is a quick and easy way to ensure compliance with the law when entering Canada by water. We wish all boaters a safe and fun-filled summer out on the lake this year," said Anita Andersson, director, Okanagan and Kootenay District, CBSA.
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. When entering Canadian waters, the master of the vessel must report their arrival to the CBSA without delay.
Quick Facts
- 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.
- At all times, if there are persons who are not citizens or permanent residents of Canada or the United States aboard-ship, the ship’s master must proceed to a designated marine reporting site to report to the CBSA in person.
- For more information about travelling to Canada, please visit the CBSA Travel Tips website at http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/kwte-qatf-eng.html.