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Are You a Trusted Traveler? Re-entering the U.S. by phone — you can't do it, unless... It's simple; if you want to report your arrival back to the good 'ol U.S.A. by phone, you have to join the I-68 or Nexus/Sentri program. Otherwise you need to report in person to a port of entry for inspection by U.S. Customs. If you've never reported by phone, like me, then this really doesn't affect you that much. However, after talking with my friend Bob Hale, ex-Tbird sailor, author of "The Waggoner Cruising Guide", and who is following the new customs regulations very carefully, I may have become a convert. "If you've got lots of time to wait, fine. But what if you can't be at a customs station until after 4 PM on a three-day weekend and customs is closed?" I have to admit it would be nice to sail directly to where I want to go instead of taking valuable vacation time having to detour to a customs station for an hour or two. The requirements are listed below but what are the realities of getting an I-68 or Nexus? "It's pretty easy," says Bob. "We went to the Border and Customs Office at Boeing Field in Seattle. It's very important that you call ahead and make an appointment. Make sure you have three photos and a passport if you've got one. A passport makes things a lot easier. Another thing to consider is that the I-68 is good for 12 months and you can basically walk out with it after the interview. The Nexus is good for five years but you have to go to Blaine to get it and is a more thorough process." Always a pessimist when government paperwork is involved, the process seems to be working smoothly. Check out the Letters section for testimonials from those that have gone through the process of getting their "trusted traveler" passes. For more details visit the Recreational Boaters of Washington Site (www.rbaw.org) and Bob Hale's Waggoner site (www.waggonerguide.com) for ports of entry, and updates and a Q&A on customs issues for cruisers.
U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS FOR PLEASURE BOATERS SEATTLE - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has implemented enhanced security procedures for small boats arriving in the United States from Canada. The new private boat clearance procedures are part of CBP's comprehensive efforts to enhance security at our nation's borders. Private boaters will be required to report to specified ports of entry for inspection if they are not currently enrolled in a "trusted traveler" program. Only boaters participating in the I-68 or NEXUS/SENTRI programs will be allowed to report their arrivals by phone. Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) issued under the old Small Boat Reporting System are no longer valid. Participation in the trusted traveler programs requires the payment of a fee and passing a background check by CBP and Canadian authorities. Participation in the I-68 program requires each applicant to appear in person for an interview at a Customs and Border Protection port of entry. Fees are $16 (US) for an individual or $32 (US) for a family. U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, Canadian citizens and Landed Immigrants of Canada who are nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries are eligible to apply for I-68 seasonal boating permits. Private boaters are encouraged to apply BEFORE attempting their first trip to expedite the border clearance process. "These new procedures allow CBP the ability to carry out our twin goals of preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States, while at the same time facilitating legitimate travel and trade," said Thomas Hardy, Director of CBP's Seattle Field Office. "Those boaters enrolled in our expedited travel programs will reap the benefits of our call-in inspection process." The Pacific Northwest is one of the busiest international boating areas in the United States. These new procedures are designed to augment a myriad of security enhancements implemented by CBP at our borders since the terrorist attacks on America on 9/11/01. Details of the new private boating international clearance procedures are outlined in the attached FACT SHEET. Boaters are encouraged to contact their nearest CBP office with questions regarding these new enhanced security procedures for boaters. Please refer to www.CBP.gov for the listing of the nearest CBP office. For information on the NEXUS program, please refer to www.nexus.gc.ca. |
