Question regarding Disembarkation in Montreal

[Twickenham]

A question regarding immigration/customs when disembarking in Montreal on a Canada-NE cruise has been raised in a thread in the Canada section of the boards:http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=915381

 

Essentially, was wondering if you have to go thru immigration/customs when disembarking, or if this has been taken care of as it is not the first Canadian port visited. What's the usual procedure?

[wilsonqbc]

Its the end of the cruise and you are bringing your luggage so yes of course.

[Ephraim]

Do you have to go through immigration AND customs or just customs?

[wilsonqbc]

what do you mean, its all the same thing.

of course they want to know who is coming into our country, even if its only in transit. they may just wave you through quickly or they can keep you longer if they wish. even though you have already been in other ports, if you go missing the ship must advise them, (in any port) they already know who you are because you were on the ships pax list example halifax, and they will hunt you down until they find you or worse. this is why we have passports.

[Ephraim]

what do you mean, its all the same thing.

of course they want to know who is coming into our country, even if its only in transit. they may just wave you through quickly or they can keep you longer if they wish. even though you have already been in other ports, if you go missing the ship must advise them, (in any port) they already know who you are because you were on the ships pax list example halifax, and they will hunt you down until they find you or worse. this is why we have passports.

 

Actually, it's not the same. Immigration are the guys who welcome you to the country... customs are the guys who limit what you bring back and collect tax if you go over that limit. The guys we talk to when we come back work for Border Services, but they represent two different government departments... CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) and RC (Revenue Canada). There are usually representatives of both at the border.

 

The ship is coming from Boston but the first Canadian port is Halifax. The ship disembarks in Montreal. They should have gone through immigration in Halifax, or they wouldn't be let off the ship. But only in Montreal do they take their luggage off... though they could walk off with items even before that and mail them. Hence the question... what procedure do they have in Montreal to go through or is there none?

[wilsonqbc]

I shouldnt even respond but I will, they are both under the juristiction of

CBSA a customs officer is also a immigration officer, but they do have immigration specialists, who are also customs officers but not always.

By the way no matter where a ship off loads its

passengers (does a turn around) you can be sure you are going to meet a

officer in person, and any other canadian port the ship has to be cleared by customs also, its just you do not see them, unless they really want to see you.

end of story for me

[wilsonqbc]

I mean any Canadian Port the ship stops at, they will be there and clear the ship, but you can stay in your cabin and once the ship is cleared you are free to go ashore, but lets say you had to leave (example emergency)

before the last Port, you will have to meet a officer most of the time on the vessel before you proceed to be on your way to your flight.

[wilsonqbc]

by most of the time I mean you will meet them on the ship most of the time, unless their office is in a terminal it can be done there. But you have to see them before you can leave. to go to your flight or continue to visit Canada

[Modern_Viking]

As a citizen of the USA disembarking in Montreal, I was required to fill out and turn in a customs declarations form to a local official. I seem to remember that I had to show my US passport at the same time (so they knew what customs rules would apply to me, I suppose). I think I only spoke to one person.

 

On another trip, I tried to get my passport stamped by Immigration in a Canadian port, however since it was not the first Canadian port on that cruise, I was turned down. I was told that passports can only be stamped when entering Canada for the first time on a cruise.

 

I'm not sure this completely answers your question, but hopefully it will help.

[mamadot]

Disembarking in Montreal was a breeze! No hassle! Enjoy the beautiful city!

[sail7seas]

When we go ashore in Montreal as in transit guests who will be reboarding later in the day to continue on the next voyage, we must submit a customs form. We enter -0- in the line asking for the value of what we are 'importing' as we have no luggage with us.

 

Everyone going ashore on disembarkation day in Montreal must submit a customs form.

 

Immigration is an inspection of people/passport/travel docuemnts.

 

Customs is an inspection of things you are bringing into the country.