Public Discussion Forum

Selene Team:

I got a call today from my friend at the CBP office in Friday Harbor. I got a polite reaming about how many Selenes are not taking the customs rules seriously at the Canadian border. Obviously, I can't speak to (and didn't try to) anybody else's experience. We did have the experience I mentioned in my previous post where we had to dispose of eggs we had purchased in the US. My friend emphasized that with limited exceptions, where you purchase the food products is irrelevant when it comes to importing them to the US.

He also sent an updated document that describes the process and rules for clearing in by boat. I'm attaching it here.

I've also suggested that perhaps we should try to get a CBP officer to come speak at next year's rendezvous to help everybody be clear about the process and rules--both with a Nexus card and without one.

Please read this document and the one attached to my previous post if you're crossing the northern border by boat.

Capt. Mark Tilden

Selene 60 "Koinonia"

Thank you Mark, for passing along the information. I will note that all of this seems exactly the same (including the food rules) as it has been for several years. Part of my annual cruise planning is to go online and look for any changes, and your message simplified that process 😊. I'm also glad to be forewarned that they're trying to trip us up into sloppiness with the long list recitation - good to be mentally prepared for that.

One note: the Android version of the CBP Roam app can get pretty buggy at times. They're better at maintaining the iPhone version, per a CBP officer I spoke with in Anacortes. If you have a choice, I'd make sure you use the app on an iPhone. Definitely get on that app ahead of time regardless and don't presume it still works for you from last year.

Mark, your note that the cbp roam app records your position when you first start the reporting session instead of when you submit it explains the confusion from the cbp officer, every time, about where I am exactly. They always seem surprised I’m in the US. I’d put it down to wonky cell signals and the fact I’m really close to the border, but your explanation makes more sense.
Sent from my phone

Mark,

Thanks for teeing up this timely and enduring discussion. This has been an issue for a while and where some of the items have been on certain prohibited lists they may not comport with other agency lists or their penalty. For instance, USDA says as long as you declare even prohibited items there is no penalty; perhaps not from them but that was not the case with CBP for our eggs (bought at Costco In Juneau and carefully rationed to be gone before Gig Harbor arrival two days after declaring). Mea Culpa. Our experience on the call back from the CBP officer started with an accusation that our CBP sticker was out of date (it wasn’t and once we showed the officer the sticker via video and read the letter and number to her, she dug in). She threatened our newly obtained NEXUS status and said we’d be getting a punitive letter (we did). Of note we had declared “yes” for the item, which is on the same yes/no check block with biological agents. Thought we were complying but it certainly didn’t seem that way to the officer on the other end of the conversation.

Of note, this does not always make sense. It’s about compliance. Think about it…if the eggs are not allowed because they may spread avian disease, are they better floating around in the San Juan Islands for a seagull to snatch or cooked and consumed by the now noncompliant human?

Here is a USDA link for entering from Canada where they say no penalty will come if you declare. We found that not to be the case.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/traveling-with-ag-products/traveling-united-states-canada-land-borders

A final note. Please remember DHS is still operating without a budget. It’s no fun working without pay and it brings stress to unwanted places. Be helpful, do our best to comply and be gracious.

Rob Parker

OBJEE (pronounced Ohb-jee )