Who has used the CBP Roam app to check-in to report their return to the US after a Quetico trip? How was your experience using it? How long did it take? Is it user friendly?

For those coming back from Prairie Portage, I understand you can use the iPad at the Ely Customs station.

In Ely the Roam app can be accessed from the outfitter at the old Ford Garage on the east end of town (via an iPad dedicated to this process)- better to install on your phone. Nothing at the customs office. When the app works it can be quick and painless. Final approval is required by a human- I have spent close to a half-hour waiting for the human approval on the app. When they finally came on the officer was upset that I had continued my travel outside of Ely while waiting for an officer to approve (app geo-locates you). I also waited once until I stopped in Grand Rapids after Verizon was so data limited in Ely that I gave up. I was reprimanded by the customs officer that approved my entry.

I have used the ROAM app from my AT&T network iPhone a couple of times before COVID. Worked pretty reliably from Ely. From what I recall, it was bit clunky and I was glad that I had taken time before the trip to get familiar with it. Other than that, it worked well and was fairly easy to do. I don't recall ever waiting for a connection/approval from a CBP officer - seemed it was just fill out the data and submit. Preloading you/your party's info into the system is helpful for that. There may be an updated version that I need to download and get accustomed to? Gonna have to check it out for this season.

pd

Used it in August; had entered traveler & vessel info in advance on my phone. Took maybe 5-7 minutes while sitting in the DQ parking lot in Ely.

Is the kiosk at the Ely office no longer in service? That's what we used last time but that was before Covid.

I downloaded the app but haven’t looked it over yet. Quick question: does each person have this on their phone, or can multiple persons in a group do a ‘communal’ check-in?

Graybeard: "I downloaded the app but haven’t looked it over yet. Quick question: does each person have this on their phone, or can multiple persons in a group do a ‘communal’ check-in? "

The latter I believe!

Banksiana: " I have spent close to a half-hour waiting for the human approval on the app. When they finally came on the officer was upset that I had continued my travel outside of Ely while waiting for an officer to approve (app geo-locates you). I also waited once until I stopped in Grand Rapids after Verizon was so data limited in Ely that I gave up. I was reprimanded by the customs officer that approved my entry."

Reminds me of the time I stopped at Customs during business hours in Grand Marais, this was back when it was still there. The place was closed. So I went home to Duluth.

That evening I called Customs and told them of my dilemma. An unhappy man asked me a bunch of questions and then 'cleared' me to return to the US.

Tom

Is this needed if you are using a remote access permit from Cache Bay?

deancal20: "Is this needed if you are using a remote access permit from Cache Bay?"

Dean, I presume by "remote access permit", you actually mean Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permit? If so, you're talking about two different things - one from Canada and one from the US - as they relate to crossing the border.

The RABC permit is your permit to legally enter Canada in the backcountry and is processed by the Canadian Customs & Border Crossing agency. The CBP Roam App is part of the US Customs & Border Crossing agency.

Jackfish: "

deancal20: "Is this needed if you are using a remote access permit from Cache Bay?"

Dean, I presume by "remote access permit", you actually mean Remote Area Border Crossing (RABC) permit? If so, you're talking about two different things - one from Canada and one from the US - as they relate to crossing the border.

The RABC permit is your permit to legally enter Canada in the backcountry and is processed by the Canadian Customs & Border Crossing agency. The CBP Roam App is part of the US Customs & Border Crossing agency. "

Just so.

Our group exited Cache Bay today, used the CBP Roam app (set up everyone and the boat in the app before the trip) when we got to Grand Marais & cell coverage. Cleared automatically and repatriated...for better or worse.