Checking Into Canada

Here's a link from the CBSA website listing food limits when arriving from the US:

https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-safety-consumers/bring-food-personal-use#a11

The main point I noticed is that there is still the usual caveat of being allowed to bring amounts "relative to the length of stay" that is exempt. These exemptions have absolute maximums, but they still seem very, very high... you can bring 20L of dairy, for example, if your length of stay is long enough. That's a lot!

So far, it looks like not too much has changed with the actual rules. SO FAR, as of mid June 2025.

Now we just need to not have too much wildfire smoke this year! Hopefully we can make the trip to the North Channel again this year!

Has anyone entered Canadian waters from the US this year?  If so, were there any specific tariffs imposed that were not experienced in prior years?  There was a rumor that groceries were subject to tariffs, but I can't find anything "new" on the CBSA info pages.  Just to be cautious, we will do dedicated shopping trips to provision our boat and bring the receipts with us.

If you are in Detour it is an interesting trip to go up the seaway and then check into Canada at Richard's Landing.  There is a liquor store and grocery there as well.

Arriving from Detour, The CBSA TRS/M (telephone Reporting Site / Marine) locations most commonly used are Meldrum Bay (37nm from Harbor Island), Blind River (41nm) and Thessalon (17nm).  Thessalon and Blind River are best if you're headed to the north shore anchorages and Meldrum is best if you're headed to the south shore, Gore Bay or Little Current (both of which are also TRS/M locations if you have a fast boat and don't want to stop elsewhere.)

Here is a map of the TRS/M locations.  You will see Whiskey Bay is very close to Drummond Island and Harbour Island but it is not suitable for cruising boats.  It is used to check local small fishing boats into Canada.  It is not legal to anchor off Whiskey Bay and dinghy in to check into Canada.  

Addressing the original question, we Canadians are looking forward to welcoming our American friends to the North Channel this year but I suspect CBSA will be taking a slightly more rigorous approach to checking vessels into Canada.  As of now, no laws have changed (legislation is being proposed) but regulations that have long been in effect but loosely enforced might be tightened up.  The most obvious element affecting cruising boaters would be limits on importing alcohol.  American wine, liquor and beer is no longer available in Ontario and other provinces.  I suspect American alcohol for personal use may be subject to the strict letter of the regulations.  (my opinion only... I have no official insight into this situation)

Coming from that area, our home cruising grounds, we normally check-in at Thessalon. It lines us up with the anchorages we intend to enjoy. 

The closest place to check into Canadian waters from Detour is Meldrum Bay.  The attached link provides the requirements and check-in locations for private boaters.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/pb-pp-exceptions-eng.html

We'll be arriving from Mackinac via Detour to the North Channel. What is the closest port available for check in? The app isn't quite clear. 

Thanks

Amy 

S/V Inspiration

Julie Thorndycraft from s/v Gaviidae recently posted that they entered the US from The Bahamas about 6 or 8 weeks ago using the ROAM app and it was smooth and painless. 

A very timely question.  Here's a companion question --- Has anyone entered the US or returned to the US using the ROAM app and noticed any different approach by the US Customs and Border Patrol?