 USA : Formalities
US Customs is now part of the Department of Homeland Security and is called Customs and Border Protection. Security has increased at entry points to the US for both US and foreign-flagged vessels.
For foreign boats, a face-to-face inspection is usually required and a Port of Entry must be used. Call 1 (800) 432 1216 or 1 (800) 451 0393. Proceedures vary slightly depending on where entry is made. Current regulations regarding entry clearance and cruising licence are on the US government site
Noonsite previously reported that non-US flagged yachts had to submit an Advance Notice Of Arrival (ANOA) 96 hours before arrival. However, the National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC) have confirmed that non-commercial pleasure vessels, under 300 gross tons, are exempted from this regulation.
Increased security means that although yachts may continue to obtain Customs clearance on entry into the US by telephone, that clearance is not valid until Immigration clearance has been obtained in person at the nearest INS
office. (the immigration offices of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection).
The captain, and every other person on board, regardless of nationality, are required to report to the nearest INS Office after arriving in a port of entry. US nationals must take with them a valid passport. All non-US nationals must take passports with valid visas, and a Green Card if held.
If you arrive after working hours, you must remain onboard, and clear in the
next morning. You must clear in within 24 hours of your arrival.
The nearest INS office might be some distance away from your chosen
port of entry, requiring an expensive taxi or rental car journey to reach. As long as this regulation remains in force, it would be worthwhile selecting an entry port where an INS office is within a short distance. Here is the current list of Ports of Entry
The US Coast Guard have the power to board any vessel within US territorial waters and they frequently do this, particularly off Florida. They can also board any US flag vessel anywhere in the world. All vessels entering the 12 mile territorial waters must fly the Q flag.
Failure to follow the correct procedure on arrival can lead to a substantial fine and seizure of the offending vessel.
Foreign yachts:
The captain must report the arrival of the yacht to Customs immediately and make formal entry within 24 hours. On arrival everyone must remain on board, except for the captain going ashore to report the arrival of the yacht. Documents needed include registration papers, a declaration of both ship's stores and crew's possessions, last port clearance, and a crew list. Clearance must be completed with Customs, Immigration, Health and Agriculture. Sometimes the Customs officer performs some or all of these other duties. On departure from the USA, yachts must clear out with Customs.
Foreign-flagged yachts (including Canadian ones, even if they are in possession of a CRUISING LICENCE, are required to notify Customs (Homeland Security) IMMEDIATELY when moving to a new berth, even if it is in the same port or face a possible $5,000 fine. See the USA reporting article for more information.
Also check our
Documents page for more requirements.
US registered yachts:
On arrival in the USA from a foreign port all US yachts must report their arrival to Customs immediately, and also report any merchandise acquired abroad that is subject to duty. If an inspection is required, the Customs officer will direct the yacht to an inspection area. New security regulations oblige US nationals to now complete immigration clearance on arrival.
US yachts are not forbidden from cruising in Cuba, but if they do not obtain a licence from the US Treasury Department they may experience difficulties when returning to the USA. The treasury licence allows the crew to spend money in Cuba. Lacking a licence the captain may have to prove to US officials that he or she has not spent any money in Cuba and received docking there free of charge paid for by a Cuban sponsor. Yachts returning to the United States from Cuba can expect to be boarded. The amount of difficulties reported by US yachts varies and seems to depend on individual officials. One solution to this might be to leave Cuba for another country such as the Bahamas and make one's entry into the United States from there. Cuban officials will co-operate and not stamp US passports. On leaving Florida for Cuba, it is mandatory to notify the US Coast Guard and obtain clearance for crossing the security zone into Cuban waters.
Customs do not have to be notified when US boats leave for a foreign port, although as most countries require the last port clearance for their own entry procedure, it is advisable to obtain this before leaving the USA.
For Canadian and American citizens there is a new scheme being rolled out to replace the existing I-68/CANPASS system. NEXUS is a joint US/Canadian customs and immigration program for frequent travellers between the two countries. It replaces the I-68. NEXUS is designed to simplify procedures for pre-approved, low-risk boaters who regularly cross the boarder. It allows such boaters to clear Customs and Immigration of either Canada or the U.S.A. by contacting the Telephone Reporting Centre (TRC) within 30 minutes and up to 4 hours prior to arrival.
See the Nexus Program site for details.
There is also a similar scheme operating in Florida, (the LBO scheme) which allows reporting by telephone. See report here.
One thing to be aware of, is that the various states often interpret these federal regulations differently, or apply local rules to suit a local situation. If possible, contact the officials at your chosen Port of Entry in advance to check requirements.
It is recommended to keep records of your checking-in activities, such as name and serial number of any officials you check in with, email receipts of notification, as well ensuring that the yacht's details and movement have in fact been entered onto the automated system.
Last updated January 2010.
Important Notice:-
All nationalities, whether entering or leaving the US or doing both, by private yacht MUST obtain a visa in advance. Such visitors CANNOT enter the USA under the Visa Waiver Programme.
The only exceptions are Canadian and Mexican citizens who are permenent residents in their own country.
Look at US entry information for yachts for the latest detailed information.
Every person entering the United States must be seen in person by an Immigration officer, except those participating in the Canadian Border Small Boat Program (NEXUS).
US citizens should carry proof of citizenship such as a passport or birth certificate. From the 1st January 2008, all foreign nationals must carry a passport as well as US citizens entering the United States from countries outside the Western Hemisphere.
It is essential to plan ahead, as obtaining a visa for the US is not a quick process. A personal interview at an embassy or consulate is required, together with the recording (in a US database) of the applicant's biometric data (e.g. fingerprints).
Last updated January 2009.
Non-residents arriving in U.S. waters with a firearm must apply for a permit in advance of arrival from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), US Treasury Dept, Washington DC 20520. It can take up to 6 weeks for ATF to approve the temporary importation, so one is advised to submit the application well in advance. Failure to have an approved ATF Form 6 will result in firearms being detained or seized. The application can be downloaded from ATF’s web site at http://www.atf.gov/firearms/feib/index.htm
Returning US citizens do not require an import permit for firearms they have taken out of the country; however, this previous export must be proven by registering the firearms before departure with either customs or the ATF.
A foreign visitor may import a pleasure boat into the USA free of duty if it is for his or her personal use. Duty must be paid within one year of the date of importation if the boat is sold or offered for sale or charter in the USA. Boats entered for alterations or repairs, as samples for taking orders or as professional equipment andtools of the trade, may be entered without payment of duty as temporary importation under bond. The length of stay is normally one year and cannot exceed three years.
All forms can be downloaded from the website, Customs and Border Protection website
Updated October 2008.
Customs telephone numbers for various states
South Florida (Miami Customs District): All yachts arriving in Southern Florida in ports and marinas from Fort Pierce south and around the coast up to and including Ft Myers may call (800) 432-1216. This includes the Fort Pierce Area, Fort Lauderdale Area, West Palm Beach Area, Miami Area, Marco Island and Key West Area.
Alabama: Mobile (334) 441-5111, (504) 441-5895.
Alaska: Anchorage (907) 271-6309, (907) 271-6313, Juneau (907) 586-7211, Ketchikan (907) 225-2254, Sitka (907) 747-3374, Skagway (907) 983-2325, Valdez (907) 835-2355, Wrangell (907) 874-3415.
California: Los Angeles (310) 514-6013, (310) 514-6083, (310) 980-3300, San Diego (619) 557-5370, (619) 662-7209, San Francisco (415) 782-7423, (415) 782-9424/5, San Luis Obispo (805) 595-2381.
Connecticut: Bridgeport (203) 367-9487 & 9489, (800) 973-2867.
Delaware: (800) 743-7416 both places, also Dover (215) 596-1972, Wilmington (302) 573- 6191.
Florida: Fernandina Beach (904) 261-6154, Ft Myers (941) 225-0041, Jacksonville (St Augustine) (904) 360-5020, Panama City (850) 785-4688, Pensacola (904) 432-6811, Pt Canaveral (407) 783-2066, Pt Manatee (941) 729-9301, St Petersburg (727) 536-7311, Tampa (813) 228-2358.
Georgia: Brunswick (912) 262-6692, Savannah (912) 232-7507, (912) 652-4400, (912) 966- 0557.
Illinois: Chicago (312) 894-2900.
Louisiana: (504) 589-3771 all places, also New Orleans (504) 589-6804, Baton Rouge (504) 0261, Gramercy (504) 869-3765, Lake Charles (318) 439-5512, Morgan City (504) 384-6658.
Maine: Portland (207) 780-3228.
Maryland: Baltimore (410) 962-7986, (800) 973-2867.
Massachusetts: Boston (617) 737-2380, (800) 937-2867.
Michigan: Detroit (313) 226-3140,Grand Rapids (616) 456-2515, Port Huron (810) 985-9512, Sault Ste Marie (906) 632-2631 & 7221.
Minnesota: Baudette (218) 634-2803, Crane Lake (218) 933-2321, Duluth (218) 720-5203, Ely (218) 365-3262, Grand Marais (218) 387-1148 (May-October), Grand Portage (218) 475-2244, International Falls (218) 283-2541, Warroad (218) 386-2796.
Mississippi: (800) 973-2867 both places, also Gulfport (601) 864-6794, Pascagoula (601) 762- 7311.
New Jersey: Newark (201) 645-6561/ 2257/ 3762 & 2552, Perth Amboy (908) 442-0414 & 0416. (If one arrives in New Jersey south of the Manasquan Inlet contact Customs, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office.)
New York: New York City: (6 World Trade Center) (212) 466-2901 (Pier 92 North River 0800-1600 only) (212) 399-2901, (Rosebank Staten Island) (718) 816-0469, Albany (518) 431-0200, (800) 827-2851, Buffalo (800) 927-5015, (716) 551-4311, Ogdensburg (800) 827-2851.
North Carolina: Morehead City (919) 726-5845/3561/2034, Wilmington (910) 343-4616.
North Dakota: Pembina (701) 825-6551.
Ohio: Cleveland (440) 267-3600, Toledo-Sandusky (888) 523-2628 (419) 259-6424, (419) 625-0022.
Oregon: Astoria (800) 562-5943, (503) 325-5541, Coos Bay (541) 267-6312, Newport (541) 265-6456, Portland no service, call Astoria.
Pennsylvania: Philadelphia (215) 597-4648, (215) 596-1971 (800) 973-2867.
Rhode Island: Newport (401) 847-2744, Providence (401) 941-6326.
South Carolina: Charleston (843) 723-1272.
Texas: (800) 973-2867 for most Texan ports, also Brownsville (956) 831-4121, (956) 548-2744, Freeport, Galvestan & Houston (713) 671-1100, (407) 975-2062, Port Arthur (409) 727-0285, Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Port Lavaca, Port O'Connor & Rockport (512) 888-3352.
Virginia: Alexandria (703) 557-1950, Newport News (757) 245-6470, Norfolk (757) 441-6741, Richmond (804) 226-9675.
Washington: (800) 562-5943 for all Washington ports, also Aberdeen (360) 532-2030, Bellingham (360) 734-5463, Blaine (360) 332-6318, Everett (425) 259-0246, Friday/Roche Harbors (360) 378-2080, Longview (360) 425 3710, Neah Bay (206) 645-2311, Olympia (253) 593-6338, Point Roberts (360) 945-2314, Port Angeles (360) 457-4311, Port Townsend (360) 385-3777, Seattle (206) 593-6338, Tacoma (253) 593-6338, Vancouver (Canada) (604) 278-1825 & 7422.
Wisconsin: Green Bay (920) 496-0606, Milwaukee (414) 571-2875, Racine (414) 633-0286.
Cruising licence:
Certain countries are eligible for a cruising licence, which exempts them from having to clear in and out at any subsequent US port after official entry has been made. NOTE: This exemption may not apply everywhere and it would be wise to obtain additional written proof of the current requirements at the point of entry.
The licence is obtained from the US customs port director on arrival and is valid for up to one year. After expiry, another licence may only be issued after the vessel has left for a foreign port and returned from a foreign port at least 15 days since the previous licence expired.
The countries to which this applies are Argentina, Anguilla, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Liberia, Marahall Islands, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, Turks and Caicos, Sweden, Switzerland and Turkey. This list is subject to change and it includes countries with which the USA has reciprocal arrangements.
Yachts 30 feet or longer in length, if US flagged, or foreign yachts not eligible for a cruising licence, must buy a US$25 user fee decal. These foreign yachts must also obtain a permit and clearance before proceeding to each subsequent US port.
It appears that officials interpret the rules differently in different states and it may be possible in some states to renew the cruising license without leaving the country. It is reported that in Florida officials will require a yacht to leave the country for the 15 days minimum period before being able to renew.
Decals can now be bought online, follow the links from the Customs website. For more information go to http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/user_fee/user_fee_decal.xml
The US authorities require that all vessels that have 406 MHz EPIRBs on board, must have these registered and be able to show proof of such registration. Those who do not comply must register their EPIRB on arrival.
Fishing licence:
Licences are required for fishing by the states of Florida (see http://myfwc.com/license.html
), Washington and Alaska. There are daily and annual catch limits described in the regulations for each area.
Licences are available through most marine service outlets, fuel docks, sporting goods and hardware stores. An Alaska Fish and Game Licence is required for fishing in National Parks such as Misty Fiords and Glacier Bay.
There are no charges for overtime inspections performed by US customs.
There are fees for formal entry, permit to proceed and clearance.
US pleasure craft and foreign yachts without a cruising licence and longer than 30 ft (9 m) LOA must pay an annual fee of US$27.50 for a user fee decal. See www.cbp.gov site for details. In some cases purchase of the decal by boats eligible for a cruising licence may be cheaper than paying individual entry fees.
A law passed by the Washington State Legislature calls for a pilot aboard ALL non US or Canadian yachts when in their waters. If there is no pilot aboard, then an Exemption from the Washington State Pilots Commission has to be purchased. The fee for the exemption is $300 for 90 days, or $500 for a year.
For US-owned boats:
If a boat is purchased in a state which does not charge sales tax, and then moved to another which does, within the first year, then a use fee may be charged if the boat remains in use in that state for more that a certain period. This varies from 30 to 90 days, depending on the state. The amount charged is usually the sales tax percentage applicable in the new state.
A fee can also also apply if a boat remains for a period of time somewhere other than its home state.
Not all states persue the collection of this fee. See Noonsite Report for the situation in Maryland.
It is prohibited to import many food and plant products and yachts are subject to an agricultural inspection on arrival, including those arriving in the US mainland from Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Meat and meat products, fresh produce and plants are among the items normally confiscated. Bakery products, cured cheeses and canned meat are generally admissible.
Also restricted is the import of any wildlife and fish which are considered an endangered species by the USA, or any of their products. This includes tortoise shell jewellery, leather, whalebone and ivory, coral, skins and furs.
Foreign yachts may not charter coastwise in the United States and this includes fishing trips. Foreign vessels may carry charter guests when leaving for a foreign destination or when arriving from a foreign port.
Washington State Pilotage Requirements
The Washington State Pilot Board has a regulation requiring all foreign flagged vessels carry a pilot or get an exemption. The exemption requires a fee of $300 for three months, or $500 for a year and is applied to all foreign cruising yachts except for Canadian yachts that regularly sail West Coast waters.
Application forms for the exemption can be submitted online and submitted via email. The form is available at http://www.pilotage.wa.gov/
Contact
Judy Bell, Washington State Pilotage Commission, 206-515-3647
To read the complete language of the statute and the rules go to www.pilotage.wa.gov
Link to the RCW (88.16.070) and the WAC (363-116-360) from the box at the right on the Home page. The WAC will show the fee schedule.
Alaskan Pilotage Requirements
Foreign pleasure vessels not carrying passengers for hire will require a pilot. Exemptions apply to: vessels under 65 feet in length, US-flagged vessels, and Canadian-flagged vessels that regularly sail Alaskan waters.
Non-US pleasure vessels of 65ft to 174ft require an exemption to transit without a pilot. However, they must use a pilot for navigation of Wrangell Narrows and Peril Strait.
Pleasure craft of 175ft and larger, and foreign registry, must have a pilot at all times. All foreign-flagged vessels for commercial use must employ a pilot, regardless of length and tonnage.
The exemption is valid for one year from the date on which the exemption is issued. The application for an exemption must be submitted to the board at least 30 days before the vessel enters the state. Exemption fees are $250 plus $50 for every foot over 65 feet (20m). Pilotage fees through Wrangell Narrows and Peril Straights will be several thousand additional dollars.
Failure to meet these requirements can result in a fine of up to $20,000.
Contact
Renda Heimbigner, Marine Pilot Coordinator
Alaska Board of Marine Pilots
Phone (907)465-2548, Fax (907)465-2974
PO Box 110806, Juneau, AK 99811-0806
Further information on the Statute:
http://touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/Statutes/Title08/Chapter62/Section180.htm
Anchoring in Florida
The anchoring restrictions, previously enforced in some areas of Florida, have now been recinded. The concept of liveaboard now excludes any boat which is navigated, even if it does so only occasionally. See report Anchoring in Florida for more details.
Last updated October 2009.
Cats and dogs must be free of diseases communicable to man. Vaccination against rabies is not required for cats and dogs arriving from rabies-free countries. Otherwise, dogs must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate.
Pet birds may be brought in, but will be subject to at least 30 days quarantine on arrival at the owner's expense in a Department of Agriculture facility. These facilities are only available in New York, Miami, San Ysidro, Honolulu, Hidalgo and Los Angeles, and bird owners must enter at one of these six ports of entry. The quarantine must be arranged in advance and the quarantine fee should be paid not later than on arrival.
Further details can be obtained from the US Department of Treasury, US Customs Service, Washington DC 20229, who publish special leaflets: Importing a Pet Bird, Pets, Wildlife.
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