U.S. Customs & Boarder Protection - CBP ROAM™

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Subject: U.S. Customs & Boarder Protection - CBP ROAM™

During my recent checkin to the U.S. Customs this past weekend at Roche Harbour I was given information about the CBP ROAM™ application available for the Apple iPhone and Android phones.

The customs officer was most enthusiastic about it and before telling me about it he wanted access to my mobile phone (horrors... I thought I was in trouble) to make sure it was compatible with the application. It was.... 😀

It can be downloaded via the Apple App Store and the Google Play.

In addition.... In certain locations, the CBP ROAM™ application can also be accessed on tablets at partner locations.

The benefit of having this application and setting things up for it will mean in most cases there's no need to actually dock at a U.S. Customs dock. You would simply fill in all the required info on the application and hit send while away from the U.S. Customs dock. It then goes to the U.S. Customs who review it all and most likely will respond with "be on your way". Sounds simple, right? I was told the U.S. Customs may ask for you to use the phone to take a photo of the inside of the refrigerator to verify it contents or take a photo of one of the passengers for verification etc.... and so on.

I'm curious to know if others here have used this program for entering U.S. waters ? If so, how did you like it ? Was it without issues ?

The process goes like....

1) Report your arrival
2) A Customs Border Protection (CBP) person will review you submission and may initiate a video chat if necessary
3) The CBP person will notify you of your approved entry of next steps.
4) A copy of your entry status will be provided via Email to you.

More Info at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers/pleasure-boat-overview/roam
 
Barry,

I used the new ROAM app when I returned from BC Canada last Friday. I transited from the Gulf Islands to Anacortes. When I was off the NE side of Orcas Is I started the reporting. I had previously entered all the info on boat and passengers. I hit the 'submit' button and the app went thru several steps to finally show 'Arrival notice accepted, processing pending'.

Then nothing more happened, the app just 'froze' at that point. I arrived at Anacortes and not having clearance from the app, I got a dock and called Customs. They were out and did not return my call for about 1 hour. When they called back, I explained the situation with the app, which was still 'frozen'. Soon, two officers came to the boat, and started the check in. While I was answering their questions, their phone rang, and the customs office said that the ROAM app had cleared us in. The officer checked my phone, restarted the app, and the clearance message appeared. I asked 'whats up with the app?' and he said 'It's still glitchy'. The app had been frozen for about 3 hours by that time.

So.....The app did eventually work...but not in time to avoid having to dock and check in in person. Is was good that I was going to a customs port of entry anyway, (Anacortes), as without clearance, it is not OK to dock anywhere else than a Customs port of entry.

My advice......Get the app, fill in all your info (it does involve photoing your passports), and use it to report arrivals. But....I would plan on going to a port of entry anyway, in case the app doesn't work. I expect Customs will get the app debugged and working properly soon.

When this gets sorted and working, it will save a lot of hassle and you will not have to go to a port of entry. If the app works, after you are cleared, you are then free to go anywhere you like, and not to a customs port.

This is my experience, I hope to hear others.
 
Thanks for all that info.... very very helpful indeed.

I will download the App for sure to my iPhone X. What phone brand are you using ?

Yes, "glitch" is what my granddaughter keeps telling me when she or I use the computer and things go wonky. :lol:

When this App is up and running without glitches it will be very helpful.... and personally, I applaud U.S. Customs for moving forward with this process/technology to make the boater's life more manageable. 😀

It makes you wonder how long the U.S. may keep their physical U.S. Customs dock facilities available as they obviously cost a significant burden on the tax payers who aren't necessarily boaters to begin with. :roll:
 
Is this applicable to all boarders or just up in your area. It seems crazy that they have so many different methods of reentry.
 
Mike:

For you reference....

"CBP provides security and facilitation operations at 328 main ports of entry throughout the U.S." and this covers all States. See https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports

"...In limited areas, travelers arriving in remote locations may also be eligible to use the CBP ROAM app. Contact your local POE to confirm arrival notifications via the CBP ROAM app are accepted."
 
Barry,

You said, "I will download the App for sure to my iPhone X. What phone brand are you using ?"

I have an iPhone 7.

This ROAM app has already replaced the SVRS entry system, which never worked well anyway.

If this new app is adopted by boaters, the traffic at the various customs docks will decrease, and I think some will eventually be closed. It should end the 'zoo' of circling large boats waiting for a turn on the customs dock at Roche Harbor in the summer.

The harbors that have international ferry traffic, like Anacortes and Port Angeles will have to remain open to process ferry passengers.
 
Out of curiosity Larry, I wonder if the ROAM app can be used by directing the iPhone's camera at a passport to gather up all the required info rather than having to manually enter it all ? ...much like for entering CC info for Apple Pay Wallet.

[EDIT]

It does allow the iPhone's camera to be used to scan in all my Passport Info. Very niceeeee. 😀

Now I wonder if the ROAM App will now alert me with sufficient time for my Passport's expiration date ? Is this too much to ask ? :lol:
 
Barry, That is how it works, when the app asks, you photo the information page of your passport. It is done right in the app. Do all the set up at home ahead of when you plan on going. It does take a while to enter everything on a phone.
 
I signed up for the ROAM app while in Ontario Canada this summer. When I cruised into US waters by Clayton NY I called in to check into the US and a few minutes later I was approved. It takes a bit to set up but worked flawlessly. You actually have to wait until you are in US waters before you call in. As they can monitor your location with the app they will know your exact location.

Jim F
 
Jim: The U.S. Customs fella at Roche was so excited telling me about CBP ROAM™. He even insisted on boarding my boat to see and shake hands with Jake and to give him a biscuit and was amazed at how well Jake acted as a good Gentleman for him. Normally a Customs officer will ask permission to board, but this fella was in a real hurry to meet Jake and he simply charged ahead onto my boat.

Question: Does a dog passenger need to be on the passenger Travel list when filing the ROAM request ?
 
Barry,

I don't recall any questions about pets on the app.
 
Does Canada have a similar application to CBP ROAM™ I wonder ?
 
Rousses Point does not recognize the ROAM app as of September 2018. I got pulled over and chewed out, the young fellow said “can’t you read the regulations” as I think he was referring to a small sign anchored off to the side of the rather wide channel at the US border at the top of Lake Champlain. I used the ROAM app to clear into the US from the Bahamas in April of this year, and protested that I was in the process of dialing the app. In his most postured military stance he said read the regulations. After all the paperwork was done, this young man comes out of the office and I look him in the eye, “ok you can smile now”. He looks away and cracks a big smile. So they are human!
 
I had the same experience coming back from Victoria last week. The customs officers told me about the app. He also said no problem with our dog but the best part is that the app, unlike Nexus, will allow for a passenger, he said one, that was not part of the trusted traveler program. That could be a great help and time saver. I haven't used it yet but hope to before the season ends.

Jim
 
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