2008 Reporting Requirements for all Private Boat Operators in Puget Sound, WA

Pleasure boaters arriving in the U.S. must report to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) immediately upon arrival. These procedures require physical reporting to a designated CBP office, unless enrolled in a Registered Traveler Program that would allow arrival reporting by phone. Boaters are strongly encouraged to apply for participation under one of the Registered Traveler Programs to expedite clearance after arrival (Participation in any of the Registered Traveler Programs does not preclude the requirement for a physical report upon request by CBP).

Who Reports?

All U.S. citizens and aliens seeking entry to the U.S. must report their arrival.

When Do I Report?

Reporting is required:
• After having been at any foreign port or place;
• After having had contact with any hovering vessel.

Note: Small pleasure vessels leaving a United States port into international or foreign waters, without a call at a foreign port, are not considered to have made a departure for the purposes of CBP reporting requirements. Therefore, certain fishing vessels or any vessel that leaves from a United States port and returns without calling a foreign port or place, have not departed the United States, and are not required to report their arrival to CBP; i.e. a fishing trip into Canadian waters and return to the U.S. without landing in Canada.

If arrival occurs after the normal business hours of a port, boaters must utilize the 1-800 number to report the arrival. A CBP Officer will provide further instructions regarding reporting and entry processing.

Where Do I Report?

Boaters entering the U.S. via Puget Sound are required to go to one of the following Ports of Entry immediately upon arrival:
Point Roberts (360) 945-2314
Friday Harbor (360) 378-2080
Roche Harbor (360) 378-2080
Anacortes (360) 293-2331
Port Angeles (360) 457-4311

Regular hours of service at the above locations are 8AM-5PM. Extended summer hours are from 8AM-8PM commencing May 10, 2008. I-68 and NEXUS participants may use the following number to phone-in arrivals: 1-800-562-5943

Appointments must be made in advance for clearance with ports within Puget Sound not identified above. Appointments will be honored only during regular business hours.

If arrival occurs after the normal business hours of a port, boaters MUST UTILIZE the 1-800 number to report arrivals. A CBP officer will provide further instructions regarding reporting and entry processing.

Required Travel Documents

U.S. and Canadian citizens 19 years and older who enter the U.S. at land and sea ports of entry will need to present either a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document (Passport, NEXUS card, Enhanced Driver’s License, other documents to be determined) or a combination of identity and proof of citizenship documents such as a driver’s license along with a birth certificate or naturalization certificate. Children 18 and under will be able to enter with proof of citizenship.

Verbal claims of citizenship and identity alone will not be sufficient to establish identity and citizenship for entry into the United States.

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 the above states section upon conviction is liable for a fine of not more than $2,000 or imprisonment for 1 year or both.

Fees

All documented or registered vessels 30 feet in length or greater are required to pay an annual processing user fee of $27.50 U.S. if crossing the international border.

Payment is required for the vessel at or before the time of the first arrival of each calendar year. If you report your arrival in person or by telephone and a fee is applicable, you may charge the fee to your American Express, Discover, Visa, Master Card or U.S. bank account. Your bank must be a participant of the Automated Clearing House to effect electronic payment from your account. A non-transferable decal will be issued upon payment and mailed to your address of record. CBP 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. Additional information on decals can be found on the CBP web site at:?www.CBP.gov

Registered Traveler Programs

I-68 Program
Under the I-68 program, applicants for admission into the U.S. by small pleasure boats are pre-registered and issued a single boating permit for a 12-month period. The I-68 permit allows boaters to enter the U.S. from Canada for recreational purposes and report arrival by phone. Boaters must be available in the event a physical report is requested by CBP. The I-68 can be issued by any local CBP office. Please contact your nearest CBP office in advance to arrange an appointment to obtain an I-68.

• To enroll in the program, each applicant must appear in person for an interview and various law enforcement checks. Documentary evidence of identification and proof of citizenship are required at interview. As of January 31, 2008, a driver’s license and birth certificate, or WHTI compliant document will be required to be presented for enrollment.

• Fees are $16 U.S. for an individual or $32 U.S. 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’ permit, however, it is recommended that children have individual I-68 permits. • An I-68 is issued for a 12-month period only. A new application is required upon expiration.

Eligibility
U.S. citizens (USC) or lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens or landed immigrants of Canada who are nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries are eligible to apply for the I-68 boating permit. When the I-68 is used by a person who is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident of the U.S., admission shall be for no more than 72 hours and only if they will remain in nearby shopping areas, nearby residential neighborhoods or other similar areas adjacent to the immediate shore areas of the U.S.

I-68 Registration Location
Applications for the I-68 program are required to be in person at any designated port of entry with the jurisdiction of the Seattle Field Office

NEXUS

The NEXUS Highway, Land and Marine Programs were harmonized into a single program in 2007. The NEXUS Program allows pre-screened, low risk travelers an expedited process upon entry to the U.S. and Canada. Approved applicants are issued an identification card valid for 5 years. Participants may utilize this card at designated airport kiosks, dedicated lanes at land borders and when entering the U.S. by boat. Boaters however, may be directed to report to a designated port of entry for inspection and must be prepared for an inspection upon request.

Eligibility
Citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. or Canada are eligible for NEXUS participation. Non-permanent residents demonstrating a need to participate in this program may also be eligible. Both the U.S. and Canada must approve applicants.

Application
Applications can be completed on-line by visiting the CBP Website at ?www.CBP.gov. Paper applications are also accepted and may be obtained from the Canadian Border Services Agency Website at www.nexus.gc.cor any CBP Port of Entry. Application fees are $50 U.S. per applicant 18 years and older or $50 Canadian. Payment is submitted to CBSA and can fluctuate dependent on the exchange rate on the processing date when paying by credit card.

SENTRI

Participants of the Southern Border SENTRI, a trusted traveler program, may qualify to utilize their active SENTRI status for small boat phone-in reporting.

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.

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