Explore: USA - Formalities

US Customs is now part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is called Customs & Border Protection (CBP). Security has increased at entry points to the US for both USA and foreign-flagged vessels.

ARRIVAL

All yachts arriving in the USA from a foreign port or place will require a face-to-face inspection. The introduction of the new CBP ROAM App has made this a much simpler and quicker process as it allows boaters to present themselves for face to face inspections with a CBP Officer using Video Chat.

ROAM has now replaced the Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS), which is no longer in service and float plans are no longer accepted.

For full details of the CBP ROAM App and when it can be used – see this news item.

Skippers may also continue to report their arrival via designated telephone reporting numbers or report to a port of entry if desired.

CBP Ports of Entry & Contact Numbers.

The local CBP field office will give an Arrival Reference Number during the first call to check in, which you must have when you go for your in-person check-in. Cruisers recommend not arriving in the US on Fri/Sat/Sun as the phone line is constantly engaged.

Note: Noonsite has been advised by CBP officials that they are unable to call back to international phone numbers, so take this into account when making contact with a CBP office. The skipper may go ashore to make a phone call from a landline in a marina, but no other member of the boat’s crew is permitted off the dock until clearance procedures are conducted.

If arriving after working hours, contact the CBP immediately, but face-to-face inspection may not be possible until the following morning. During this time, you must remain on board and conduct clearance procedures immediately the next morning. You must report your arrival no matter what time of day, and you must conduct your customs/immigration clearance procedures within 24-hours of arrival no matter what.

The nearest CBP office might be some distance away from your chosen port of entry, requiring a taxi. No taxi in the USA will accept foreign currency. You may not be allowed to rent a car until you have an entry stamp in your passport. It would be worthwhile to select an entry port where a CBP office is within a short distance. Again, here is the current list of Ports of Entry.

If a member of a Frequent Passage Scheme ( LBO), call +1 (800) 432-1216 or +1 (800) 451-0393. Both of these numbers are toll-free automated systems and may not connect properly with foreign SIM cards. Wait times may be lengthy. These schemes are NOT designed for first-time arrivals. For more information on Frequent Passage Schemes, see the bottom of this Clearance section.

Jurisdictions and Enforcement

The US Coast Guard has the authority to board any vessel within US territorial waters and they frequently do this, particularly off the coast of Florida. The US Coast Guard also patrols the Bahamas and parts of the Caribbean as a joint patrol with local officials. The US Navy or Coast Guard can also board any US flag vessel anywhere in the world. All vessels entering the 12-mile territorial waters must fly the Q flag until clearance procedures have been conducted.

Foreign Yachts

CBP-1300 Vessel Entrance or Clearance Statement

Foreign flagged pleasure boats must make a formal vessel entry on CBP form 1300 within 48 hours and pay the applicable fees. There are heavy fines if this is not submitted within 48 hours of arrival.

The captain must report the arrival of the yacht to the CBP immediately and then the skipper, and every other person on board, regardless of nationality, are required to report to the nearest CBP Office. US nationals must take with them a valid US passport. All non-US nationals must take passports with valid visas or a Green Card (long-term resident) if held.

Documents needed include registration papers, a declaration of both ship’s stores and crew’s general possessions, last port clearance, and a crew list. Clearance must be completed with Customs, Immigration, Health and Agriculture. Usually, the Customs officer performs some or all of these other duties.

Cruising License

Since January 2016, ALL foreign-flagged yachts (including any registered under the LBO scheme) MUST obtain a Cruising License.This is obtained at the time of entry from the applicable CBP port director and once issued is valid for up to one year (365 days from issue date). See Documents for more details.

A cruising license may exempt foreign flagged pleasure boats (from certain countries) from having to undergo formal CBP entrance and clearance procedures, except at the first CBP port of entry each and every year.

Foreign-flagged yachts and Canadian yachts, not in possession of a cruising license, are normally required to notify Customs (Homeland Security) when moving from one customs region to another, (i.e., from Ft Lauderdale to Miami). There are fines for vessels who do not comply. Often, vessels who report a few times will be deemed “secure” and will be instructed by the CBP official that further reporting is unnecessary until departure from the USA. See the Noonsite/USA reporting article for more information.

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. CBP officers are normally very helpful and will notify you of any updated laws or procedures.

If you are notified of a customs/immigration regulation that we have not updated on Noonsite, please email us and we will update our database.

It is recommended to keep records of your checking-in activities, such as name and badge number of any officials you check in with – especially if receiving instructions contrary to expected procedures – email receipts of notification, as well ensuring that the yacht’s details and movement have in fact been entered onto the automated system. It is okay to ask for verification from the officer you are speaking to.

Cruising to Cuba

Foreign flagged vessels not should have a problem travelling between Cuba and the US, although all yachts returning to the United States from Cuba can expect to be boarded.

Whilst Key West has a history of not particularly welcoming cruisers who arrive directly from Cuba, US flagged or otherwise (one foreign cruiser’s Cruising Licence was cancelled on arrival and they were instructed to leave US territory for example), the situation appears to be improving in 2018 and this should no longer be treated as a port to avoid when clearing into the States after a visit to Cuba.

Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale have always been good choices for clearing into the States after a visit to Cuba, but you must stay offshore and may not use the ICW until clearance has been obtained.

Another option to avoid any problems is to leave Cuba for another country (such as the Bahamas) and make entry into the United States from there.

NOTE: Any US citizens on a foreign flagged boat, still have to fulfil one of the 12 ‘exceptions’ categorizing the reason for their visit to Cuba. (‘People-to-people’ or ‘education’ are the easiest ones to officially comply with). See notes below.

US Registered Yachts

On arrival in the USA from a foreign port, all US yachts must report their arrival to the CBP within 24 hours 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 compel US nationals to now report arrivals in a similar manner to foreign nationals: report arrival immediately and complete immigration/customs clearance within 24 hours of arrival.

NOTE: A US Coast Guard boarding or customs inspection offshore does NOT constitute a customs clearance procedure.

Failure to follow the correct procedures on arrival (particularly in reference to reporting arrival in a timely manner, or disembarking your vessel without permission) can lead to a substantial fine and seizure of the offending vessel.

Cruising Between Canada and USA

For Canadian and US citizens there is a scheme which simplifies border formalities. 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 border. 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.

US Citizens who frequently travel internationally may also benefit from the Global Entry program.

See the Nexus Program website for details.

Other Frequent Passage Schemes

The Local Boater Option (LBO) is a similar scheme operating in Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, which allows pleasure boat reporting by telephone. See this Noonsite/report.

Cruising to Cuba

US-flagged yachts are NOT forbidden by law from cruising in Cuba, but they do have to apply for a permit approx. 1 month in advance (or earlier) from the USCG. They must also abide by all Treasury Department restrictions on purchases made in Cuba.

All crew must comply with one of the 12 ‘exceptions’ (which categorise the reason for the visit) and then obtain USCG form 3300. This then permits the boat to visit Cuba for a maximum of 2 weeks. For more information on this procedure, see this Report.

NOTE: Any US citizens, on either the US or foreign flagged boat, still have to fulfil one of the 12 ‘exceptions’ categorizing the reason for their visit. (‘People-to-people’ or ‘education’ are the easiest ones to officially comply with).

All 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. 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. There will be enhanced US Coast Guard patrols in this area.

Another option to avoid problems is to leave Cuba for another country (such as the Bahamas) and make entry into the United States from there.

DEPARTURE

Customs do not have to be notified when US boats leave for a foreign port, although most countries require the last port clearance for their own entry procedure. It is necessary to obtain this outbound “zarpe” before leaving the USA.

The US CBP is not generally set up to issue outward clearance to pleasure vessels, but the US Dept of Homeland Security use CBP Form 1300 for a Zarpe for commercial vessels. The form can be obtained here to fill out in advance and expedite the process. You will need to get this stamped by Customs at a port or airport.  Take boat documentation and crew passports with you.  Remember, this is for the foreign port and not an official procedure for the United States immigration/customs rules.

Some cruisers have encountered confusion from the Customs officers when getting a stamp on this form by pleasure yachts as it is typically for commercial vessels (they do not have a dedicated form for non-commercial vessels).  Call up your local CBP office and enquire before travelling to get your form stamped.  Somer cruisers have reported using a notary to sign the form and say this works very well.

This CBP Form 1300 procedure is common (and important to follow) especially when departing Puerto Rico or the USVI when the next port of call is the Dominican Republic, the BVI, or any of the Windward Islands.

Last updated:  September 2018