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Canadian boaters entering other countries: "Boat Registration" document definition?

2K views 17 replies 7 participants last post by  Guyfromthenorth 
#1 ·
Canadian boaters entering other countries: "Boat Registration" document definition?

I e-mailed the US Border information office and asked for clarification and didn't receive any. I also read the check in requirements in the Bahamas and they state simply that you need your "boat registration" document.

The last 2 sailboats I've owned have had no such document other than the "Transport Canada Pleasurecraft License". Is this TC license the same as a registration? No one can seem to answer that for me, although at the very least the US Customs didn't seem concerned (or didn't understand when I asked). I would hate for my first border crossing to be denied because the TCPC license and number on my bow don't count as a "registration". All my trucks\cars\ATVs\snowmobiles\trailers had a green registration card, I've never seen one for a boat before.
 
#2 · (Edited)
Re: Canadian boaters entering other countries: "Boat Registration" document definitio

I e-mailed the US Border information office and asked for clarification and didn't receive any. I also read the check in requirements in the Bahamas and they state simply that you need your "boat registration" document.

The last 2 sailboats I've owned have had no such document other than the "Transport Canada Pleasurecraft License". Is this TC license the same as a registration? No one can seem to answer that for me, although at the very least the US Customs didn't seem concerned (or didn't understand when I asked). I would hate for my first border crossing to be denied because the TCPC license and number on my bow don't count as a "registration". All my trucks\cars\ATVs\snowmobiles\trailers had a green registration card, I've never seen one for a boat before.
I'm not entirely sure if i have what you are asking straight but if you are just visiting the US from Canada your boat can be either licensed (provincial with a license number on the bow-although this is a Transport Canada doc.) or registered (federal with a whole lot more regulations) and you will be fine.

Rereading this I noticed you mentioned the Bahamas. AFAIK a License is fine there as well but most people recommend registering your boat if travelling abroad because it better establishes ownership etc.
 
#3 ·
Re: Canadian boaters entering other countries: "Boat Registration" document definitio

I'm not entirely sure if i have what you are asking straight but if you are just visiting the US from Canada your boat can be either licensed (provincial with a license number on the bow-although this is a Transport Canada doc.) or registered (federal with a whole lot more regulations) and you will be fine.
Thanks, yes I have the "license" in my name (bow numbers and proof of license document). I just see things like this on the Bahamas customs page:

ENTERING THE BAHAMAS BY BOAT
To enter The Islands Of The Bahamas, private vessels need the following:
a) One (1) copy of The Bahamas Customs Clearance Form PDF
b) One (1) Bahamas Immigration Card per person
c) Proof of Citizenship-Passport
d) Vessel registration documents (Vessel title / proof of ownership)

In Canada the "registration" documents are reserved (as best I can discern) for NON-pleasurecraft vessels. TC states all pleasurecraft must be "licensed". So I think it's just a terminology thing but like I said I'd hate to be turned away at a border because I have a "license" but not a "registration".
 
#7 ·
Re: Canadian boaters entering other countries: "Boat Registration" document definitio

Good to know. :)

I wonder how this applies to travelling to the U.S. since I've done that many a time with my licensed boat...
See that's why I got confused, because when I spoke with the US Customs and Border Officials they didn't seem to know or care the difference and basically said my "license" is good enough. I will say that the "license" may very well BE good enough, however I would hate to sail thousands of miles just to be denied entry over silly papers. The transport Canada official made sense when he told me that this is federal (the registration) and that it is the only document for proof of ownership you can get on a boat in Canada that is also searchable\accessible to foreign nations to confirm with.

Idk. 250$ to save the "pit of my stomach what if..." feeling as I go down the ICW. Seems worth it!
 
#8 ·
Re: Canadian boaters entering other countries: "Boat Registration" document definitio

You can certainly enter the USA with a Canadian licensed boat. I've done it. And I've never heard of anyone having a problem doing it. I've also heard the Bahamas is OK with a Canadian licensed boat, but I have no direct experience.

Registration used to be quite complex for recreational boaters, but I've heard it has been made a lot less onerous in recent years. Perhaps Boat Poker will see this thread. He's a real expert in all things Canadian.
 
#11 ·
Re: Canadian boaters entering other countries: "Boat Registration" document definitio

If you guys don't mind me asking....

My boat is not registered or licensed (motor less than 10hp). I live approximately 30NM from the USA and plan to sail there in the near future.

My only proof of ownership is the sales receipt. AFAIK, this is the only requirement for my boat living in Ontario

Any idea if I will have a problem entering/visiting the USA?

Thanks in advance guys.
 
#14 ·
Re: Canadian boaters entering other countries: "Boat Registration" document definitio

If you guys don't mind me asking....

My boat is not registered or licensed (motor less than 10hp). I live approximately 30NM from the USA and plan to sail there in the near future.

My only proof of ownership is the sales receipt. AFAIK, this is the only requirement for my boat living in Ontario

Any idea if I will have a problem entering/visiting the USA?

Thanks in advance guys.
Original bill of sale should be fine, thats all I take. Sometimes I just scoot across for lunch or to go to walmart (diapers are way cheaper in the states).

At times I haven't even take that, but then CBSA has given me grief coming back in because I can't prove I paid tax on it.
 
#12 ·
Re: Canadian boaters entering other countries: "Boat Registration" document definitio

I sometimes wonder if the US customs and immigration experience on the Great Lakes is different from elsewhere. On the lakes, folks commonly go back and forth for lunch. To this day, some do it without checking in on either end. I'm not recommending it. Still, I wonder if they have different rules for Canadians up there. IOW, if a Canadian boat showed up on the coast of North Carolina, I wonder if the license would pass muster. I really don't know.

Still, if you get your cruising permit, you should be in. You'll have to call and let CBP know your every move as you transit the country. A real PITA.
 
#13 ·
Re: Canadian boaters entering other countries: "Boat Registration" document definitio

if a Canadian boat showed up on the coast of North Carolina, I wonder if the license would pass muster. I really don't know.
Yes, anywhere on the East Coast, & Gulf States and Bahamas it is routine.
 
#15 ·
Re: Canadian boaters entering other countries: "Boat Registration" document definitio

The paperwork train continues....

So 3 days ago I called the help line and asked for assistance with forms. They of course won't speak to you and they will set up a call back. Well I just got my callback from Transport Canada. She confirmed I did the forms wrong and need to fix them. I also asked her if I need to do this in order to leave the country with my sailboat and she laughed and said OF COURSE. Now...that just means TC is firmly on the "you need to be registered to leave and enter foreign nations", but they can't speak for other Customs Agency policies so yes the US\Bahamas may let you in without issue forever, or one day they may change their mind, maybe 1 border guard will change his mind, hard to say. Either way I'm doing the paperwork.

Mistakes I made:
1) I selected that I'm only 10.03m in length so for Gross Tonnage I can default to 4.99 without calculating it. I also put this beside it in NET tonnage. Wrong. Leave that blank when selecting 4.99.
2) My wife's name is on the receipt, and on the License, so I put her as a joint owner. You would think the "shares in the vessel" would go 50\50 right since 100% divided in half would be 50? WRONG. It's 64\64 (no idea why...).
3) I filled out a Form 1 and the Payment Form. I apparently was also required to fill out:
a) Statement of Qualification Form 3 for both myself and my wife.
b) Declaration Form 10. (this has to be signed and witnessed by a Notary or similar)
c) Appoint of Authorization Form 14.

She also laughed when I asked if this would be completed in the 30days the website estimates. Apparently they are "understaffed and it's summer".

She said they will email me a completed Registration if I request it, so at least IF I leave before this is completed I can hopefully receive it to my cell phone before any borders ask to see it.
 
#17 ·
Re: Canadian boaters entering other countries: "Boat Registration" document definitio

2) My wife's name is on the receipt, and on the License, so I put her as a joint owner. You would think the "shares in the vessel" would go 50\50 right since 100% divided in half would be 50? WRONG. It's 64\64 (no idea why...).
Section 53 of the Canada Shipping Act:
53*(1)*For the purposes of registration, the property in a vessel is divided into 64 shares.

It's a hold over from the UK Merchant shipping act. Pre calculators, 64 was in some ways an easier number to work with than 100. Divide by 2s. 100, 50, 25. 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, 2, 1. Neat eh?

At least that's my understanding.
 
#16 · (Edited)
Re: Canadian boaters entering other countries: "Boat Registration" document definitio

Aking Transport Canada for advice on CBP matters is like asking the Ministry of Health for advice on Ministry of Labour law.
 
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