From: "Marvin Kaye" <marv@lancaironline.net>
Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Canada air race & more
To: lml
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 20:55:43 -0500
Message-ID: <web-2932687@logan.com>
In-Reply-To: <MJEEIJOLAHCDLGFIJJEBIEADCKAA.2thman@cablespeed.com>
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Posted for "John Barrett" <2thman@cablespeed.com>:

Actually, CANPASS is the system for clearing Canadian Customs.  It does not
have a cost attached.  You should call the Canpass # 888 CANPASS (226 7277)
several hours or the day before you plan to cross the border.  They will
take your information (names birthdays and nationalities of all passengers)
and tell you to check in with customs or call them on your cell phone at
your first airport of entry after entering Canadian Airspace (you get to
pick the airport, but your first stop has to have customs available.)
Normally, there won't be anyone at the customs airport and you'll call on
your cell phone to get clearance.  They  will give you a number and you're
supposed to write that on a piece of paper and have it showing through the
window.  Occasionally, they will ask you to wait for a customs inspector.
They'll want to see proof of citizenship and may even inspect your plane
(extremely rare- never happened to me).

When you return to the US, landing first at an airport of entry, you need
proof of citizenship for all passengers - passport, driver's license or
birth certificate.  US Customs does collect a $25.00 decal fee once per year
and the customs agent can take check or cash for that.  They can ask to
inspect your plane as well but I've never had this happen.

You'll  next get some paper from Canada a few weeks or months after you
return.  They will be billing you for ATC services. They privatized their
ATC system about 2 years ago and now send these billing statements all the
time.  (watch out if they do it in the US!!!!!) They'll want you to  pay
Canadian $ - the fee is small and amounts to a max of $14.00 per quarter.
It's best to call their 800 number (on the statement) and make a credit card
payment.  You'll also get letters from the airports where you land and tie
down.  Many of them charge landing and  parking fees.  These are usually
reasonable but a pain to deal with - once again Canadian funds, but many
don't take credit cards.  You then go on the internet - check the conversion
rate for amount you owe and send a check.  That's about it for traveling in
Canada in my experience over the past 25 years in the Pac NW.

Regards,
John Barrett