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Customs and Border Crossing: Quick Reference Guide

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection
2010 Reporting Requirements for all Private Boat Operators
Affecting Boaters at Point Roberts Marina

Winter clearing hours are 8 am to 5 pm only. 
For official detailed information and application forms contact
U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection, Point Roberts station telephone (360) 945-5211

►PEOPLE PERMITS

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; ie: a fishing trip into Canadian waters and return to the U.S. without landing in Canada.

All persons aboard U.S. or foreign vessels, seeking entry to the U.S. are subject to clearing with U.S. Customs and Border Protection after having been

• At any foreign port or place (e.g. Canadian territory);
• In contact with any hovering vessel

Clearing by Telephone: "Nexus" or "I-68" Programs
Only two U.S. government programs allow boaters to clear Customs and Boarder Protection by telephone. They are "NEXUS" and "I-68". In order to use either of these programs ALL persons aboard the vessel must possess either "NEXUS" or "I-68" permits. To clear, the master of the vessel must report "NEXUS" or "I-68" numbers and name for each permit holder aboard.

For clearance by telephone, masters, crew and passengers call 1-800-562-5943

If there are ANY people aboard who do not have these permits, the master of the vessel must call for a physical inspection by Customs and Border Protection.

Eligibility, Requirements, Process and Costs
(The granting of these permits is conditioned upon several requirements and activities that are beyond the scope of this "summary")
Costs are as follows:

• "NEXUS" - $50 per person valid for 5 years
• "I-68" - $16 per person valid for 1 year ($32 for a family)

Without NEXUS or I-68 for ALL Persons aboard (Physical Inspection Required)
The master of the vessel seeking to clear must call via telephone for a physical inspection and be able to supply the following information:

• Vessel - registration or documentation numbers;
• Persons - For Non "NEXUS" and Non "I-68" persons a passport and photo identification

For physical inspection at Point Roberts masters must telephone (360) 945-5211

►VESSEL PERMITS U.S. Government (State of Washington permits are separate)

Vessels with a length of 30 feet and greater seeking to enter the U.S. must have onboard or purchase an annual user fee decal.

It is strongly recommended that you apply on line at: http://www.cbp.gov  Any questions may be directed to 317-298-1245 or e-mail decals@dhs.gov

Point Roberts Port Of Entry will process your application for the decal using a credit card.  Decal cost is $27.50

Vessels less than 30 feet in length do not require a permit decal. However, vessels must clear either by telephone or by physical inspection as explained above.

This information if a general overview, supplied as a courtesy to tenants of Point Roberts Marina and is neither official nor complete. For official detailed information contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection Point Roberts station telephone (360) 945-5211..