CLEARING US CUSTOMS
First, if your boat is 30 feet or longer, you will need a DTOPS decal. The decal is purchased from the
DTOPS website and is good through the end of the year. You'll need to create a login account for the website if you do not already have a login. As soon as you purchase the decal, a receipt with your decal number is downloadable from the website.
There are three ways to clear US Customs. Two of them require a cell phone. The last option requires a cell phone with internet access.
Cell service at the border between Canada and the US is interesting. If you are north of Stuart Island and Waldron Island but still in US waters, US cell service does not work, but Canadian cell providers like TELUS, Rodgers, and Bell do work. US cell service starts to work once you are on the west side of Stuart Island, but is marginal on the east side of Stuart Island. Most Waldron Island residents have Canadian cell provider plans.
The three ways to clear US Customs are:
Port of Entry
You can visit one of the ports of entry near Deer Harbor. The Roche Harbor port of entry is about 8.5 nm from Deer Harbor. The Friday Harbor port of entry is about 5.5 nm from Deer Harbor.
NEXUS
If you have nothing to declare and everyone aboard the boat has a
NEXUS pass, then you can call 800-562-5943 to clear customs. Even with passes, you may be asked to report in for vessel inspection. There is a lot of specific information about using NEXUS entering Canada, and I did not find the equivalent detail for entering the US. Do some research if you plan on using NEXUS.
Applying for a NEXUS pass is a lengthy process, including an interview. If you don't already have a NEXUS pass, consider the next option.
CBPRoam
This last option is relatively new. The CBPRoam app is available for both Apple and Android phones. We used this when returning from the rendezvous last year and it was very convenient.
You'll need to create an account with login.gov to use the app. You then enter into the app details about your boat, such as boat name, length, registration number, DTOPS decal number. You also enter details about each person on board, name, birthdate, contact info, and document info, such as NEXUS or passport number. Do this before your trip.
Then when you are traveling to Deer Harbor, use the app to report your arrival. There is a detailed description of this process
here.
Since it wasn't clear to me how this would work for Canadian boats, I wrote to the CBPRoam office. Their responses are in red.
========== CPBPRoam email ==========
I am a US resident with a 34 foot sailboat in Bellingham WA. Last year I returned from Canada and used the CBPRoam app to clear customs without going to a customs entry port. I already had a DTOPS decal and everyone on board had a NEXUS pass.
I am organizing a rendezvous for sailboats in Washington State and Canadian boats are invited. I want to find out if the CBPRoam app can be used by Canadians.
Yes everyone can use CBP ROAM to report when arriving by vessel
I understand that everyone with a boat 30 feet and over need a DTOPS decal, regardless of citizenship.
Correct. Some larger vessels also need a Cruise License. The app will prompt with what each user needs.
Can Canadians use the CBPRoam app? This
CBPRoam web page does not explicitly state that is for US citizens only.
Yes they are able to.
To use the CBPRoam app, must everyone on board have a NEXUS pass, or can the “inspection” proceed without this NEXUS requirement?
No a NEXUS card is not required to use ROAM.
Not all Canadians will have a cell phone with US cell service. I don’t have Canadian cell service. When I reported last year, I needed to wait until I was in US waters and had US cell service again.
For Canadians, can the reporting and CBPRoam interview happen after leaving a Canadian port but before entering US waters (when they will lose cell phone service)?
Yes and No. They can report their arrival earlier but they need to be within US international waters (3 miles from coast) for it to work.
Are there any other special conditions I haven’t thought of for Canadian boaters traveling to the US looking to use the CBPRoam app?
Not at this time.
========== end of CPBPRoam email ==========
So if you are coming down the Straight of Georgia to Deer Harbor, you should be able to use CBPRoam on your Canadian cell phone once you are in US waters north of Waldron Island. Of course, if your plan includes US calls and data, you will be fine. If you are coming from Victoria, I don't know which country's cell service works on the west side of San Juan Island. You will be passing by either Roche Harbor or Friday Harbor as you travel north, so stopping at a US port of entry is convenient enough.
Pro tip about CBPRoam app on Apple phones: In Settings / Privacy and Security, enable Location Services, Microphone, and Camera for the CBPRoam app. Otherwise the customs officer won't be able to see or hear you.
