Atlantic Maritime Academy

United States laws and regulations require that ALL private boats arriving from a foreign port or place MUST report to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection IMMEDIATELY upon their arrival into the United States. Every person entering the United States must be seen in person for immigration purposes by a Customs and Border Protection officer, except those participating in the I-68 -Canadian Border Boat Landing Program. However, holders of form I-68 are still required to report their arrival into the United States to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection.  Masters and passengers must provide proof of citizenship or legal immigration status, and be in possession of a valid passport and visa, if required. Citizens of countries that are participants in the Visa Waiver Program are not eligible to seek admission to the United States under that program via private vessel. Once your boat is anchored or tied, you are considered to have entered the United States. No one may leave the vessel until Customs and Border Protection grants permission. The only exception to this requirement is to report arrival. In order to fulfill the requirement to immediately report a private boat arrival, the master of the vessel must contact the nearest Customs and Border Protection Office, or if the arrival occurs after business hours, the nearest 24 hour port of entry. Upon reporting, you may be required to proceed to a staffed port for inspection by Customs and Border Protection. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in serious criminal and civil penalties, including seizure of the boat. International mariners are urged to report any suspicious or illegal activity to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection at 1-800-BE-ALERT.

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