Canadian Check In with phones

The Can Pass program is no longer in Operation.

To checkin you must arrive call the Telephone Reporting Centre (TRC) 1-888-226-7277 and request an inspection.

If you have a NEXUS card you can call NEXUS from 30min to 4 hours prior to your arrival. If using the NEXUS option everyone on the vessel must have a NEXUS card. 1-866-996-3987

For complete information on entering Canada by Private Vessel

Return to the GLCC main login page.  In the MAIN HEADER click on Resources > in the Resources Box click on GOVERNMENTAL sub heading CANADIAN > in the Blue options > Canadian Reporting Requirements for Private Boaters.

This page has all the information you should require. Note scroll to the bottom and under RELATED LINK you will find information on "dogs traveling to US.

Never had a problem entering Canada with them. Coming back into the USA can sometimes be a problem, depends on their mood. 

Anybody else plan on heading from USA into Canadian North Channel and bringing fruits, fresh veggies, and eggs? and do you bring them or eat them all before hand and then buy them in Canada? 

Are there any procedures (app or phone call) when return into USA?

While you can call 1 888 CAN-PASS to check in with a cell phone, you still must be at a port of entry to do so. Most marinas in Canada are designated as a port of entry and will have a land line if you have concerns with cell phone service. There will be a Canada Customs sign posted with the phone number at the qualifying marina. 

Hi Mark B.

I travel in Georgian Bay and the North Channel quite a bit and can provide the following observations on cell coverage:

Tobermory to Killarney:  

Reliable coverage within 8 -10 miles of Tobermory and Killarney.  In between it is likely to be spotty although it's amazing how far cell signals can travel from Manitoulin Island over open water.  The problem is the eastern shore of Manitoulin Island is sparsely populated so cell ocoverage isn't great.

North Channel Killarney to Detour Village:

Coverage varies widely primarily depending on the geography of the area.  Cell signals don't go through rock very well so some places you visit will not have coverage.  

Coverage is very good near population centres like Killarney, Little Current, Kagawong, Gore Bay, Spanish, Blind River, Meldrum Bay and Detour Village and is generally adequate in many, but not all other locations.  Examples where I've had no coverage are McGregor Bay (most of it), Baie Fine (there is an island there affectionately known by cruisers as cell phone island where a signal can be had), and portions along the north shore including parts of Hotham Island.

If I really need a signal to send or receive a message or to pick up a weather forecast, I dinghy to a high island and climb to the top where I'm usually able to get enough of a signal to do what I need to do.  

Other than near population centres, don't count on a signal good enough for streaming.

Here is the coverage map for Bell 

Here is the coverage map for Rogers. 

Here is the coverage map for Telus. 

You'll need to zoom in to the North Channel and fiddle with the speed filters on each website

I don't know who Verizon links with.  

Don't expect to be connected all the time but there's no need to worry about being out of touch for days on end unless you stay nicely tucked away in a beautiful anchorage in Baie Fine or other areas with poor coverage.

Dave Spencer

We did not clear Cutoms after arriving in Canada in 2025 but when we did in 2024 the wait after calling 888-CAN-PASS was, unlike prior years, very short.