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NEXUS HISTORY:

A program in development since 2002, NEXUS is designed to speed up any border clearance processes for travelers into Canada and the United States. The Canada Border services Agency (CBSA) and the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) work together in this venture to make border crossings simpler for members of NEXUS, while heightening security.
Members of Nexus are pre-approved, low-risk travelers who are citizens or permanent residents of either Canada or the United States.

NEXUS is a fast-spreading program having recently enrolled its 100 000th member. New branches have recently been opened at Woodstock in New Brunswick, Emerson in Manitoba, and Sault Ste. Marie in Ontario. Currently, there are 14 land border crossings that offer NEXUS. The United States has proposed that a NEXUS card serve as a substitute for a passport for travel by land and sea under the U.S. Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI). The U.S. WHTI air rule already recognizes the NEXUS card as an alternative document to a passport when traveling by air to the United States.
Signing up for NEXUS is the completion of an application that takes from 6 to 8 weeks to process. The fee for this program will be reduced to $50 starting December 2007.

The following are a few benefits of NEXUS:

• NEXUS-dedicated lanes & kiosks are accessible to members traveling into the United States or Canada with a minimum of customs & immigration questioning.
• NEXUS may also replace your passport for flights to and from Canada to the United States.
• NEXUS members may use the self-serve kiosks when coming into Canada by air from anywhere in the world.
• NEXUS is a harmonized program between Canada and the United States so applicants complete a single application and pay one fee.

Eligibility for membership in NEXUS is dependant on the following information:

• your eligibility for immigration in Canada or the United States
• the proper completion of your application
• a criminal background check
• any violations of immigration or customs laws
• and any other information NEXUS requires.

For further information on NEXUS or assistance on your application, contact Immigroup at info@immigroup.ca

HOW TO USE YOUR NEXUS CARD:

Air:

Entering Canada:
You can use your NEXUS Card when you enter Canada from any city. To use NEXUS:

• a CBSA Declaration card (E311) must be completed in which goods imported are declared.
• proceed to the self-serve kiosk in the Canadian inspection services area
• Proceed with an iris scan by standing in front of the camera. Follow prompts on the screen and complete the process. A receipt will be issued by the kiosk.
• You will be directed to the cashier to pay and duties and taxes owing, if applicable
• Proceed to the baggage claim and then exit. Present your receipt and completed CBSA Declaration Card to the border services officer.
• Unless directed otherwise, you may continue into Canada

Declaration of Goods:
Canadian Residents:

Canadian residents returning with goods that are imported for personal use may report them by completing a CBSA Traveler Declaration Card (TDC) in advance. This card is then deposited in the designated box at the NEXUS kiosk. Any duties and taxes owed will be charged to the credit card on the resident’s file. If the TDC option is not chosen, the self-serve kiosk will direct the resident to the cashier to pay duties and taxes if applicable.

United States Residents:

United States residents with goods to declare may use the NEXUS self-serve kiosk for goods that are part of personal entitlement. If there are goods that exceed personal entitlement, a receipt will be issued that will refer the resident to a cashier for payment.

If the self-serve kiosk is closed, travelers are requested to use the special services counter, the crew counter or the regular lanes and declare their goods to a border services officer.

Entering the United States:
You can only use your NEXUS Card when you fly to the U.S. from a Canadian city. To use NEXUS:

• Proceed to the self-serve kiosk located in the U.S. pre-clearance area.
• Proceed with an iris scan by standing in front of the camera. Follow prompts on the screen and complete the process. A receipt will be issued by the kiosk
• Unless otherwise directed to an inspection area, proceed to the transborder lounge.

Declaration of Goods:
Persons entering the United States must complete a Custom Declaration Form (CBP Form 6059B)

Travelers entering the United States with goods imported for personal usage may use the self-serve kiosk to declare these goods. If the self-serve kiosk is closed, they must declare their goods to a Customs and Border Protection officer at the crew counter or the regular lane.

Land:

• Use the dedicated NEXUS lane and scan your card in the card reader.
• Proceed to the inspection booth for a visual inspection. The CBSA officer will tell you whether you are to enter the inspection area or proceed into Canada.

Declaration of Goods
Canadian Residents:

Canadian residents entering Canada who are importing goods for personal use must complete a CBSA Traveler Declaration Card (TDC) before arrival and deposit it in the designated box in the NEXUS lane. If you do not have TDC privileges, you must use the regular lane to declare your goods.

United States Residents:

U.S. residents entering Canada with goods that are part of their personal entitlement may use the dedicated NEXUS lane. If you have goods that exceed your personal entitlement, you must use the regular lanes.

• Use the dedicated NEXUS lane and scan your card in the card reader.
• Proceed to the inspection booth for a visual inspection. Unless directed to an inspection area, you may proceed into the United States.

Declaration of Goods:
Canadian or U.S. residents entering the United States that importing goods for their own personal use may use the NEXUS lane and make an oral declaration to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.

Entering Canada
Please note the boat master is the person in charge of the boat. They are responsible for presenting themselves and their passengers and reporting all goods on behalf of the NEXUS members on board. All persons on board must be NEXUS members in order for the boat to take advantage of NEXUS reporting procedures.

• The boat master must call the NEXUS Telephone Reporting Centre (TRC) at: 1-866-99-NEXUS (1-866-996-3987) to give advance notice to the CBSA at least 30 minutes (minimum) and up to four hours (maximum) before arriving in Canada. The boat master must provide the following information to the TRC:
• an estimated time of arrival (ETA)
• the name and location of the landing site (designated sites are required for entering Canada)
• the registration number and/or the name of the boat
• the full name, date of birth and country of citizenship and/or permanent residence status for all NEXUS members on board
• the destination, purpose of trip and length of stay in Canada for each passenger
• passport and visa details of passengers where required
• The boat master must ensure all passengers have photo identification and proof of citizenship, permanent residence status and/or other immigration status documents when applicable or required
• The boat master must declare all goods being imported, including currency information.

The NEXUS Telephone Reporting Centre must be notified of any information changes before arrival.
A report number will be issued as proof of presentation. This number must be produced when asked to do so by border officials.

Declaration of Goods:
Canadian and U.S. residents importing goods for their own personal use must report these items to a CBSA officer by contacting the NEXUS Telephone Reporting Centre at 1-866-99-NEXUS (1-866-996-3987).

• The boat master must call the local Customs and Border Protection (CBP) marine reporting number for their arrival area;
• Provide advance notice to the CBP at least 30 minutes and up to four hours before arriving in the United States. The boatmaster must provide the following information:
• an estimated time of arrival (ETA);
• the name and location of the landing site of arrival
• the registration number and/or the name of the boat;
• the full name, date of birth and country of citizenship and/or permanent residence status for all NEXUS members on board;
• the destination, purpose of trip and length of stay in the United States for each passenger; and
• passport and visa details of passengers when applicable or required;
• The boat master must ensure all passengers have photo identification and proof of citizenship, permanent residence status and/or other immigration status documents where required;
• The boat master must declare all goods being imported, including currency information.

A report number will be issued as proof of presentation. This number must be produced when asked to do so by border officials.