U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Reporting Requirements for all Private Boat Operators
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has increased enforcement efforts of small boat
arrivals and the face-to-face inspection requirement upon arrival, of associated crew and passengers. This increased enforcement posture requires physical reporting to designated local U.S. Customs and Border Protection Offices unless enrolled in an Alternative Inspection Services Program that would allow arrival reporting by phone.
Affected individuals are encouraged to participate in any of the Alternative Inspection Services Programs described in this document to expedite reporting of arrival and clearance into the United States. Participation in any of the programs does not preclude the requirement for a physical report upon request by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Small Boat Reporting System (SBRS) participants are NOT EXEMPT from reporting under these procedures and are strongly encouraged to apply for participation under one of the programs listed in this document. Previously issued SBRS PIN numbers will no longer be valid.
Statutory and Administrative Authorities:
19USC1433(a)(1)- Report of Arrival of Vessels
19CFR4.2 – Reports of Arrival of Vessels
8USC1225(a)(3)- Inspection by Immigration Officers
8CFR235.1- Inspection of Persons Applying for Admission
19CFR4.51 – Reporting Requirements for Persons Arriving by Vessel
Who Reports:
All U.S. Citizens and aliens seeking entry to the United States MUST REPORT their arrivals. Boaters participating in either the I-68 or NEXUS/SENTRI programs MUST REPORT but may do so by phone.
Masters - The master or person in charge of the boat must report their arrival to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For the purpose of these instructions, the term "boat", means any vessel not engaged in trade or documented trade (not carrying merchandise or passengers for hire) such as pleasure boats and yachts, regardless of size. This requirement applies to all boats regardless of country of registration. Additionally, boats registered outside Canada or the U.S. must contact a local CBP office for a cruising license.
Aliens - All aliens (including alien crewmen) who are applicants for admission or otherwise seeking admission or readmission into the U.S. must report for inspection by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer.
U.S. Citizens - Persons claiming to be U.S. citizens must report to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer to establish that fact to the examining officer's satisfaction.
When Reporting Is Required:
Masters must report their arrival to U.S. Customs and Border Protection if having been engaged in any of the below activities:
· After having been at any foreign port or place;
· After having had contact with any hovering vessel;
· After having anchored or engaged in fishing;
Reporting Procedure:
The master or designee may go ashore only to report the arrival to U.S. Customs and Border Protection either in person or if participating in the I-68 or NEXUS/SENTRI programs, by phone. No other person may leave or board the boat and no baggage or merchandise may be removed or loaded until the report of arrival is made and release granted by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer. Each crewmember and passenger must also be in possession of an
I-68 or NEXUS or SENTRI card to qualify for phone-in reporting.
Where to Report:
Masters, crew and passengers participating in the I-68 and/or NEXUS/SENTRI programs may utilize the following 1-800 number for phone-in arrivals:
1-800-562-5943
If arrival occurs after the normal business hours (generally 8AM - 8PM) of a port, boaters must utilize the 1-800 number to report their arrivals. A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer will provide further instructions regarding reporting and entry processing.
Arrivals requiring an in-person report to a CBP Officer may be made at any of the following designated ports of entry. The boat must be made available for possible boarding at the time of report.
Aberdeen (360) 310-0109
Anacortes (360) 293-2331
Bellingham (360) 734-5463
Blaine (360) 332-6318
Everett (425) 259-0246
Friday Harbor/ Roche Harbor (360) 378-2080
Oroville (509) 476-3132
Port Angeles (360) 457-4311
Point Roberts (360) 945-2314
Port Townsend (360) 385-3777
Seattle (206) 553-4406
Tacoma (253) 593-6338
Fees
All documented or registered vessels 30 feet in length or greater are required to pay an annual processing (user fee) of $25.00 (U.S. currency) if crossing the international border.
Payment is required for the vessel at or before the time of the first arrival for each calendar year.
If you report your arrival by telephone and a fee is applicable, you may charge the fee on your American Express, Discover, Visa or MasterCard. A non-transferable decal will be issued upon payment and mailed to your address of record.
Boaters must report to one of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection designated ports of entry upon arrival to purchase an annual decal. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will not grant a clearance if outstanding fees are due.
Decals may also be purchased via the Internet at https://tradelinks4.mellon.com/cbp/Dispatcher.
If you purchased your decal through the Mellon Bank, Pittsburgh, Pa., the U.S. Customs and Border Protection User Fee Administrator will handle your annual decal mailings/reminders at the Mellon Bank. Please carry a copy of the decal application for verification if you have submitted payment to Mellon Bank and have not received your decal.
Failure to Report
Failure to report can result in civil penalties as defined in Title 19, United States Code, Section 1436 to include a penalty of $5,000 for the first violation and $10,000 for each subsequent violation with the conveyance subject to seizure and forfeiture. In addition to being liable for a civil penalty, any master who intentionally commits a violation under subsection (a) of this section upon conviction, is liable for a fine of not more than $2,000 or imprisonment for 1 year or both.
Alternative Inspection Services Programs:
I-68 Program
Under the Form I-68 program, applicants for admission into the United States by small pleasure boats are pre-registered and issued a single boating permit for the entire boating season. The
I-68 permit allows boaters to enter the United States from Canada for recreational purposes with only the need to report to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for further inspection by placing a phone call to report their arrival.
To enroll in the program, each applicant must appear in person for interview, and various law enforcement checks.
Fees are $16 (U.S. currency) for an individual or $32 (U.S. currency) for a family. The names and dates of birth of children less than 14 years of age may be listed on one or both parents’ Form I-68, however it is recommended that each child have a separate I-68 form.
Three (3) passport style photographs for each I-68 applicant will be required at the interview. A separate I-68 will be required for applicants 14 years and older.
The I-68 is valid for one year from the date of issuance, or until revoked by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens (USCs) or lawful permanent residents of the U.S., Canadian Citizens, or Landed Immigrants of Canada who are nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries are eligible to apply for seasonal boating permits. When used by a person who is not a USC or Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States, admission shall be for a period of no more than 72 hours and only if they will remain within 25 miles of the shoreline along the northern border of the United States. Boaters that are not USCs or Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States requiring stays exceeding 72 hours are not eligible for the I-68 program. As such, a physical report to a CBP Officer is required on each and every arrival unless participating in the NEXUS/SENTRI program, Please note that this requirement is in effect when arrival occurs via a small boat.
Registration Locations: Applications for the I-68 program are required to be in person at any designated Port of Entry within the jurisdiction of the Seattle Field Office.
NEXUS
The NEXUS Alternative Inspection Program allows pre-screened, low-risk travelers to be processed with little or no delay by U.S. and Canadian border officials. Approved applicants are issued a photo-identification/proximity card, which is valid for 5 years. Participants cross the border in a dedicated lane where they present their membership identification and proximity card for expedited processing unless selected for a more intensive examination. Small boat operators in possession of a NEXUS member card may report arrival via phone.
To enroll in the program, each applicant must appear in person for interview, and various law enforcement checks.
Registration includes a $50 (U.S. currency) per person fee for individuals 18 years of age and over.
Eligibility: Citizens or permanent residents of the United States or Canada. Non-permanent residents demonstrating a need to utilize the NEXUS system. Applicants must be approved by both the United States and Canada. Instructions on obtaining a NEXUS application form can be found on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Internet Website at:
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/frequent_traveler/nexus.xml
Registration Locations: Applicants are instructed to send their completed application forms and corresponding fees to the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) for initial processing. After approval by CBSA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will contact approved applicants to schedule appointments to continue the application process. Currently, applications for NEXUS participation in this area are being processed in Blaine, WA. CBSA approved applicants will be advised to report to the Blaine NEXUS Processing Center to complete the application process.
SENTRI
The SENTRI program is a Southern Border facilitated traveler program. SENTRI participants need not apply for a NEXUS card to qualify for the small boat phone-in program.
Reporting Suspicious Activities:
Please report any suspicious activities observed to 1-800-BE-ALERT (1-800-232-5378) or the after hours toll free number 1-800-562-5943.