BWCA What is the ruling now on Border usage Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
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      What is the ruling now on Border usage     

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03/11/2021 11:31AM  
When and if we turn to normal. I keep getting mix answers

Here is 2018 Canada:
When anglers who fished Canada come back into the U.S., the U.S. makes it very clear at this point they go by the definition ice = land. Consequently, they are required to check in with U.S. Customs. The new pilot project, currently exclusive to Lake of the Woods, is in place where people can check back into the U.S. using tablets at many of the resorts, Jerry’s Restaurant, etc vs having to go to an OARS phone. That same program is also available to download on smartphones and it is called CBP OARS. CBP stands for Customs and Border Protection.
 
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03/11/2021 06:49PM  
Well, that was what it was before the pandemic. I wouldn’t want to try checking in now, :)
 
billconner
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03/12/2021 06:25AM  
Land or ice, upon entering the US, US law requires you report to US Customs and Border Protection "immediately". It has simply not been enforced in wilderness in my experience. I always report in at Ely station but that may be days after entering US, but not immediately.
 
thegildedgopher
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03/12/2021 08:20AM  
The most accurate and complete accounting that I've found of all things required from the perspective of both US and Canadian governments, is on the Gunflint Lodge website. This was updated in 2019. To my knowledge, if the border was indeed open, then all these rules would still apply.

Of particular interest -- You don't need to check in with US Customs in person at a physical border station. They've created an app for your smartphone called CBP Roam. You set up all your trip details including planned border crossings, country exits and entries, ahead of time in the app. As soon as you get back to the US and have cell signal (or wifi at one of the many lodges), you launch the app and check back in virtually. If I remember correctly, some of the lodges even had a government-owned tablet set up on site for folks to use.

WTIP also had a segment with CBP officials discussing the requirements a few years ago.

 
03/12/2021 09:47AM  
 
billconner
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03/12/2021 09:59AM  
Pinetree: " Rules? "


No mention of RABC exceptions to reporting - unless having an RABC is considered "reporting immediately".

I wonder how many don't pack a WHTI document. I got the card last time I renewed passport just for Quetico.
 
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