What do I need to enter Canada by ferry?

U.S. citizens visiting Canada will be required to present one of the travel documents listed here:
  1. U.S. Passport.
  2. U.S. Passport Card.
  3. Enhanced Driver's License (Issued by New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Vermont and Washington only)
  4. Trusted Traveler Program Cards such as NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST enrollment cards.




To enter Canada by ferry (such as the Black Ball Ferry from Port Angeles or the Victoria Clipper from Seattle), requirements depend on your citizenship. U.S. and Canadian citizens must present a valid Passport, a Passport Card, a NEXUS card, or an Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL). Note that standard driver's licenses are not sufficient for border crossing. Permanent residents of the U.S. need their Green Card along with a valid passport from their home country. For citizens of other countries, a valid passport is required, and depending on your nationality, you may also need a Visitor Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Unlike air travel, you generally do not need an eTA if you are arriving solely by land or sea, but you must check the specific visa requirements for your country of citizenship. It is also highly recommended to check current ArriveCAN requirements, although as of 2026, most pandemic-era health documentation has been phased out in favor of standard customs declarations.

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U.S. citizens visiting Canada will be required to present one of the travel documents listed here:
  1. U.S. Passport.
  2. U.S. Passport Card.
  3. Enhanced Driver's License (Issued by New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Vermont and Washington only)
  4. Trusted Traveler Program Cards such as NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST enrollment cards.


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A U.S. passport or NEXUS/CANPASS is required for each passenger onboard the boat. Birth certificates are sufficient for children under 16.

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Taking a road trip from the U.S. to Canada, or simply arriving by car, requires crossing the border at one of the 24 official locations. Americans will need to present a valid U.S. passport or other acceptable form of identification upon arrival to the country.

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Submit your customs and immigration declaration online using Advance Declaration up to 72 hours before you arrive in Canada. If you choose not to submit your declaration in advance, you can complete it at an airport kiosk or eGate.

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The form of ID you'll need to travel on a ferry depends on the route and your nationality. On most international routes, you will need your passport to check-in. However, there are exceptions to this.

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Closed-Loop Cruises If you are a U.S. citizen planning a closed-loop cruise, you can travel without a passport. A closed-loop cruise means that you board a cruise ship in a U.S. port, only travel in the Western Hemisphere and then return to the same U.S. port where you started your journey.

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Prohibited items
  • Hazardous materials (CFR Title 49, Parts 170-180)
  • Explosives or incendiary devices (CFR Title 33, Part 6)
  • Chemical, biological or radiological agents or devices (CFR Title 33, Part 6)
  • Unlawful or illegally possessed firearms (RCW, Chapter 9.41)
  • Illegal fireworks (RCW, Chapter 70.77)
  • Acetylene tanks.


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Are ferries usually on time? Yes! Please note that the schedules indicate departure times. We recommend that you arrive at the terminal at least five minutes prior to the scheduled departure in order to board.

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In place of a passport, you can use WHTI-compliant documents like passport cards, trusted traveler's cards, and NEXUS cards. While these allow you to travel to these regions by sea and road, they are not acceptable for international flights.

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You can't stay in your car for safety reasons. In case of an emergency, like a fire or a collision, you need to be able to evacuate the ship quickly. Most of the time, you need to join rafts located above the car deck.

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Submit your customs and immigration declaration online using Advance Declaration up to 72 hours before you arrive in Canada. If you choose not to submit your declaration in advance, you can complete it at an airport kiosk or eGate.

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Anytime you cross the border, you must declare any currency or monetary instruments you have valued at Can$10,000 or more. This amount includes Canadian or foreign currency or a combination of both. Monetary instruments include, but are not limited to, stocks, bonds, bank drafts, cheques and traveller's cheques.

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