Senator Mark Begich worked with the U.S. Office of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to ensure it maintains the current policy that permits Canadian boats registered in the State of Alaska to continue to travel between U.S. ports without special restrictions

In early May, CBP announced to Canadians with boats docked in Skagway that beginning with the 2013 season, they would need to check in with CBP at each U.S. port of call. A round trip from Skagway to Haines would require full customs reporting and fees at each port. Senator Begich opposed this process and reached out to CPB asking them clarify this new interpretation of existing policy.

“The relationship Alaskans enjoy with Canadians dates back to the Gold Rush days of the late 1800s,” stated Begich. “When my office got the call from Skagway raising concerns about the economic effect of this new requirement, we got to work making sure the Alaska-Yukon connection was not fractured.”

Almost half of the boats in Skagway’s harbor are Canadian-owned This creates jobs and commerce in Skagway and other coastal cities through the groceries, fuel and services purchased by Canadian visitors.

Following discussions between Senator Begich’s office with CBP staff in Anchorage and Washington, D.C., the agency has announced that “reporting procedures should mirror previous practices as it’s in the best interest of the boat owners.”

“We value our relationship with our Canadian neighbors,” said Sen. Begich. “It is important that they continue to feel welcomed in Alaskan waters. I appreciate that CBP understands this vital connection and has been willing to adopt past practice.”

Additional information about requirements for small boats in Southeast Alaska

Vessels registered in Canada and left for part of the year in Alaska and will return to Canada at the end of the boating season, or that are in the U.S. for a short duration or trip will be subject to the following guidelines:

• If these vessels will be going to other locations within Alaska, the owner must apply for and be granted a cruising license for the season. This allows the vessel to go from one location to another and requires that they report to CBP at each manned Port of Entry they visit.
• If these vessels are being put in the water at Skagway or Haines for the boating season, short duration or trip, and will not be traveling to different locations within Southeast Alaska, and are boating/fishing in the launch area, they will not be required to obtain a cruising permit or report to CBP. However, if they plan to visit other locations outside the launch area, such as Juneau Icy Straights, they must request a cruising permit as indicated above.

CBP Alaska is in the process of making the Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS) available at the ports of Haines (Dalton Cache), Skagway, Juneau and Anchorage. It is already available in Ketchikan. The SVRS allows a vessel that is required to report their arrival to CBP to do so telephonically. This program is available to U.S. and certain Canadian residents. Vessel owners that wish to use the SVRS must complete a one-time application, interview and electronic capture of biometrics at one of the CBP ports listed above. Once approved, the vessel owner will input their complete float plan into the SVRS via the internet and in advance of their intended trip. Then upon arrival at each CBP port along the float plan, they may report their arrival to CBP by calling a single telephone number for all Alaska locations. They will not have to physically report to CBP unless instructed.

For more information visit https://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/boats/svrs.xml