USA Clearance at Canada Place.

[LeftcoastBC]

Anyone know how to check or have thoughts on USA clearance when leaving CP on a short PAC NW/SW 3 dayer. First Port being on Vancouver Island and then Seattle & back.

 

Be nice to know for arrival. First sailing for Hal ship this season and one never knows how that all goes for timing.

 

Trying to decide ...early or late timing for us.

 

this

[Urban trekker]

Over to you Putterdude!

 

Cheers

 

Dennis

[Putterdude]

No real idea, the Volendam sailed by c/w its Noro right on sked last night if that is any indication (but probably not). I am only guessing but with CBP charging for clearing each cruise ship and airline pax....their will be no material change at YVR or Canada Place....but there will be the usual howls on repositioning weekend coming up (which I am too lazy to look up right now).

Bon voyage.

[LeftcoastBC]

Thks but just wondering if we will go through US C&E before we leave.

 

It's midweek and first Port is Port Alberni.

[Tweedy]

Thks but just wondering if we will go through US C&E before we leave.

 

It's midweek and first Port is Port Alberni.

 

I would say yes... first security, then customs, then cruiseline check in :)

[scottbee]

I would say yes... first security, then customs, then cruiseline check in :)

 

It's highly unlikely that a ship sailing from Canada Place, with the 1st stop in Canada will have US pre-clearance as it would be completely useless after re-boarding from another Canadian port.

 

I did this a few years back (Vancouver-Victoria-Seattle-Vancouver) and we didnt pre-clear boarding in Vancouver, and we did a minimal check getting off in Seattle.

[LeftcoastBC]

Thanks Scott ..I was leaning this way but looking for clarification.

One never knows what you will be faced with on a ships first visit. Inspection by Coast Guard etc delays things sometimes and if there is no US immigration it will make boarding faster. So the main hurdle will only be that Security inspection if no US lines.

 

 

 

It's all about hitting the ship as quickly and easy as possible and timing is everything.

[BCHappyGal]

We have booked that little 3 day repo on NCL Jewel Vancouver - Nanaimo - Victoria - Seattle May 15 - 18... I would assume they willl consider that we have only been n the USA for 24 hours so cannot bring any booze home with us duty free... Any ideas on this

[LHT28]

We have booked that little 3 day repo on NCL Jewel Vancouver - Nanaimo - Victoria - Seattle May 15 - 18... I would assume they willl consider that we have only been n the USA for 24 hours so cannot bring any booze home with us duty free... Any ideas on this

 

Stay in Seattle so you get your 48hrs in the USA;)

[LeftcoastBC]

I've often wondered about little things like that 48 hr stuff and thought playing with my Nexus Card wouldn't be worth it.

 

But technically after you leave Port Alberni you might be able to convince CBS that's when your 2 days started as you sail on the US side of the Strait of Jaun de Fuca on the way to Seattle.

 

Although that argument might be defeated by the fact that

the ship will likely remain in Canadian waters until the last minute that evening and night so they can have the Casino open :)

[cruising cockroach]

I've often wondered about little things like that 48 hr stuff and thought playing with my Nexus Card wouldn't be worth it.

 

But technically after you leave Port Alberni you might be able to convince CBS that's when your 2 days started as you sail on the US side of the Strait of Jaun de Fuca on the way to Seattle.

 

Could always buy and declare. You're not at any legal risk that way.

 

As for the 48 hour exemption, it is 48 hours and not calendar days. So if you depart Canada at 6pm on Thursday, you can only have the exemption if you return at or after 6 on Saturday. Could always ask a CBSA agent at the various ports along the way as to what the rule is.

[LeftcoastBC]

Well the Answers:

 

First Port Canadian... YOU DO NOT CLEAR USA in Canada Place

 

Arrival in USA Port (Seattle) on this occasion

 

Everyone goes through US immigration AND on this occasion anyways EVERYONE had to get off the ship.

 

HAL called everyone to the gangway by Alphabet. After we were all off those that had no plans were allowed to return to the ship using their Room Key card. Long long process and lots of unhappy people.

 

No line to get off the ship because of HAL using the Call by Alphabet..that was OK. Below ... a fairly lengthy line to a USA border 7-8 man crew which went fairly quickly.

 

No one was told that you couldn't get right back on so those folks with names starting with A waited all morning to get back on if they were not going away from the ship.

If you went outside the terminal you could not get back in until after the whole ship was cleared and they had opened up Security for re-boarding. You could return to the boarding area immediately after clearing Immigration and sit in the General boarding area within the terminal.

 

Obviously US agents do this to keep their shifts controllable as once every one clears they are no longer required for this ship.

 

Regarding the issue of Customs in Vancouver. Everyone filled out a declaration card. Which required the DAY that you left Canada.

Which was after leaving Port in Port Alberni..which was the

22

We returned to Canada on the

24

No mention of the hour(s)

 

Of course on the forms you must place the value of goods in the "Hours" away section

 

At Vancouver we passed quickly by two CBSA persons after getting our bags. They looked quickly at our declaration cards. The line hardly slowed.

I saw no one checked further as I walked towards the check point. ( About 3 minutes and likely over 100 persons.)

 

I make no further comment/suggestions or judgement :cool: