U.S. Customs and Border Protection has developed a new phone app (both IOS and Android) that allows boaters to clear US Customs without physically going to a Port of Entry. You don't need to have a Nexus or Global Entry traveler number. My wife and I signed up and once cleared you become a "Verified Traveler". Even better, there was no charge.
Once you have the app installed, the next time you come back from Canada, for instance, you just need to be in American waters and then you initiate a "report" with the app. Sometimes Customs (according to the officer I spoke with) Customs will initiate a video conference with you on your phone.
Steps needed:
1) Go to web url: login.gov
2) Set up your account (this is a great idea since the Federal Government intends to use this login across various Federal entities that you might need to login to. It is also encrypted and does two factor identification). Once you have that set up then do step 3.
3) Install the CBP Roam app on your phone (both IOS and Android supported). This is available on either Google Play or the Apple store.
4) Add the information needed. You will need your passports in hand and will take a photo of them. You will also need the information about your boat, i.e. state registration, information about the boat, etc. You can add more than one person to the account. For us, that was my wife and me. You will also need your Customs decal number if your boat length is greater than 30 feet.
5) Schedule a video conference with US Customs and Border Protection. You need to indicate which state you will likely be reporting to when you clear Customs. For us, that is Washington state. They say it may be 1-3 days but I was contacted the next day from the Bellingham office. The officer there initiated a video conference with me, wanted to see if my face matched up with my passport photo page, and asked a few questions. My application was approved within an hour and my wife and I were sent our Customs Verified Traveler numbers. These numbers need to be entered into the app. Once this is complete you are ready to go! The officer told me that the next time we return to the U.S. from Canada we need to initiate a report with the app. You need to be in American waters to do so. The phone verifies your GPS location. The Customs office will either send you your clearance number or initiate a video conference with you to ask any questions that they might have. They will then send you your clearance to your phone app.
You do not need to go to a Customs dock but just need to be in U.S. waters according to the officer I talked with. Now, I hope Canada will do the same thing!
Great job U.S. Customs! The officer I talked with was pleasant and informative. He seemed excited about the program and I am sure this will help with their work load and certainly makes it easier for U.S. boaters.
Once you have the app installed, the next time you come back from Canada, for instance, you just need to be in American waters and then you initiate a "report" with the app. Sometimes Customs (according to the officer I spoke with) Customs will initiate a video conference with you on your phone.
Steps needed:
1) Go to web url: login.gov
2) Set up your account (this is a great idea since the Federal Government intends to use this login across various Federal entities that you might need to login to. It is also encrypted and does two factor identification). Once you have that set up then do step 3.
3) Install the CBP Roam app on your phone (both IOS and Android supported). This is available on either Google Play or the Apple store.
4) Add the information needed. You will need your passports in hand and will take a photo of them. You will also need the information about your boat, i.e. state registration, information about the boat, etc. You can add more than one person to the account. For us, that was my wife and me. You will also need your Customs decal number if your boat length is greater than 30 feet.
5) Schedule a video conference with US Customs and Border Protection. You need to indicate which state you will likely be reporting to when you clear Customs. For us, that is Washington state. They say it may be 1-3 days but I was contacted the next day from the Bellingham office. The officer there initiated a video conference with me, wanted to see if my face matched up with my passport photo page, and asked a few questions. My application was approved within an hour and my wife and I were sent our Customs Verified Traveler numbers. These numbers need to be entered into the app. Once this is complete you are ready to go! The officer told me that the next time we return to the U.S. from Canada we need to initiate a report with the app. You need to be in American waters to do so. The phone verifies your GPS location. The Customs office will either send you your clearance number or initiate a video conference with you to ask any questions that they might have. They will then send you your clearance to your phone app.
You do not need to go to a Customs dock but just need to be in U.S. waters according to the officer I talked with. Now, I hope Canada will do the same thing!
Great job U.S. Customs! The officer I talked with was pleasant and informative. He seemed excited about the program and I am sure this will help with their work load and certainly makes it easier for U.S. boaters.
