For information on U.S. regulations and security measures for recreational boaters crossing the Canadian border call (800) 375-5283.

For information on Canada's regulations and safety measures for recreational boaters visiting Canada (CANPASS), please click here. To obtain information by phone, call (888) CANPASS (226-7277).

U.S. Ports of Entry Information

http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/

And http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/

The Bahamas Bans Tributyltin on Boat Hulls

February 2008

http://www.allatsea.net/specificissueeditorial.php?featureid=1494

U.S. Senators are Seeking to Cancel Border I.D. Rule

January 2008

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/01/28/senators-border.html

Customs To Ease Florida Re-Entry for Boaters
November 2007

In an effort to make it more convenient for U.S. boaters arriving in Florida from a foreign port to report their arrival, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is offering a pre-departure registration program.

Until now, everyone arriving was supposed to call Customs to report their arrival and then come in person to one of their offices within 24 hours, which could be miles from a marina or closed during non-business hours. Many cruising boaters also do not have cars and must take taxis to find the nearest office to clear in.

The Local Boater Option program began in October and gives boaters in Tampa, Miami, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands the choice to register in advance with the agency. That registration would eliminate, in most cases, a requirement to meet with officials after every foreign visit.

Under the new process, boaters will be allowed to complete a one-time registration with their local Customs office. Officials say every person aboard an incoming boat must have a registration number in order to bypass the interview process, so unfortunately, everyone who is going to be on board must apply in person ahead of time for the registration number. This makes it difficult to invite last minute guests or racing crew.

For information or to enroll in the Local Boater Option, call 800-432-1216 or 800-451-0393.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection Announces 2006 Pleasure Boating Clearance Procedures; South Florida
effective May 24, 2006

---All U.S. Citizens and aliens seeking entry to the United States must report their arrival. Masters must report their arrival to CBP after having been at any foreign port or place after having contact with any hovering vessel. South Florida ranks as one of the most active areas in the nation for small vessel traffic. For this upcoming boating season, CBP will be staffing identified marinas on a part-time basis as designated reporting locations. In addition, CBP will be adding additional facilities to comply with the face-to-face inspection. These facilities are to be used after obtaining a clearance number from CBP. Boaters arriving outside the operating hours of the reporting locations will adhere to current procedures where they will call the following toll-free numbers and report their arrival. CBP will make every attempt to accommodate large regatta groups arriving from foreign ports with multiple vessels. Please contact the nearest CBP Port of Entry in advance to request on site clearance.

Phone-in arrivals: Masters, crew, and passengers must report their arrivals immediately upon entering the United States by going to a designated reporting location or calling the following numbers: (800) 432-1216 or (800) 451-0393.

Designated reporting locations:

• Miami Beach Marina, Miami Beach , FL , Sundays and Mondays 12 noon – 8 pm

• Lauderdale Marina, Ft Lauderdale, FL, Sundays and Mondays, 12 noon- 8 pm

• Sailfish Marina, Singer Island, Palm Beach, FL, Sundays and Mondays, 11 am – 7 pm

• Sailfish Marina, Stuart, FL, Sundays and Mondays, 11 am – 7 pm

Upon completion of phoning in arrival, boat operators will be directed to the nearest Port of Entry to present themselves and any passengers for a face-to-face interview within 24 hours.

South Florida Ports of Entry:

• Key West, 7 days a week 7 am – 8 pm, 301 Simonton St, Key West, FL, 305-296-223

• Port of Miami, 7 days a week 6 am – 10 pm, 903 S. America Way, Miami, FL 305-536-4758

• Tamiami Executive Airport, 7 days a week, 11 am – 7 pm, 14720 SW 128 th St, Miami, FL 305-969-7511

• Opa Locka Airport, 7 days a week 9 am-4 pm, 4371 NW 150 th St, Opa Locka, FL 305-687-5475

• Miami General Aviation Facility, 7 days a week 24 hours, 3371 NW 64 Ave, Miami, FL 305-526-7155

• Port Everglades, 7 days a week 7 am – Midnight, 1800 Eller Dr, Ft Lauderdale, FL 954-761-2000

• Ft. Lauderdale Executive, 7 days a week 9 am – 9 pm, 5575 NW 15 St, Ft Lauderdale, FL 954-356-7412

• West Palm Beach Airport, Mon – Fri, 8 am – 4 pm, 1 East 11 th St, Riviera Beach, FL 561-848-6922

• Palm Beach Intl Airport, 7 days a week, 8 am – 8 pm, Bldg 1612 S. Perimeter Rd, W. Palm Beach, FL, 561-233-1083

• Ft. Lauderdale General Aviation Facility, 7 days a week 8 am – 12 midnight, 050 Lee Wagner Blvd, Ft Lauderdale, FL 954-356-7946

• Ft Pierce, St Lucie County Intl Airport, 7 days a week, 10 am – 6 pm (Midnight to 8 am – call first), 2990 Curtis King Blvd, Ft Pierce, FL 772-461-1733.

Source:

Related BoatUS Press Release: BoatUS Testifies In Support Of Congressional Legislation To Ease Customs And Immigration Process In Florida - May 23, 2005

Official web sites:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Homepage - http://cbp.gov/

U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Pleasure Boats and Private Flyers Page - http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/

Department of Homeland Security - Homeport - http://homeport.uscg.mil/mycg/portal/ep/browse.do?channelId=-18401

U.S. Government Printing Office Federal Register - http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html