“It’s a voluntary program designed to simplify border crossings for pre-approved, low risk boaters between Detroit and Windsor, Canada, and is the only place where Canadian customs officials will accept NEXUS instead of CANPASS,” he said.

The pilot program will continue for the rest of the boating season and NEXUS Marine should be available borderwide next year. NEXUS members will save money by not having to pay for both CANPASS for Canada and I-68 for the U.S. because NEXUS costs only $50 and is good for five years. CANPASS is $40 (Canadian) for five years, and a U.S. issued I-68 is $32 per family for one year.

“This program is an example of the ongoing efforts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to accomplish our primary mission of preventing terrorist and terrorist weapons from crossing our borders while facilitating the movement of legitimate travelers for business or pleasure,” stated Kevin Weeks, Director of Field Operations.

Customs officials in the state of Washington decided to go ahead and issue NEXUS cards ahead of the Michigan pilot program. “We do not have an agreement with Canada out here, so our boaters will still be required to sign up for CANPASS,” said Seattle Customs and Border Protection (CBP) information officer Mike Milne. Anyone wanting to find out more about NEXUS can visit: www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/nexus. For information on the CANPASS for Canada, go to www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel/canpass/.