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Pleasure Boaters Receive Attention As They Return From Foreign Ports
Detroit, MI – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is working to insure that pleasure boaters are in compliance with federal regulations by reporting their arrival from a foreign, Canadian, port. These regulations require physical reporting to a designated local CBP office to report entry after having been at any foreign port or place. This requirement covers all U.S. citizens and aliens seeking entry to the U.S. by boat. CBP is working to insure that pleasure boaters know how to comply with these regulations by providing information about them, and how to comply, through outreach efforts aimed at marinas, boat clubs and boat owners.
Pleasure boat clearance procedures are part of CBP’s comprehensive efforts to improve security at our nation’s borders while enhancing and facilitating legitimate travel, including pleasure boating.
Michigan ranks as one of the most active areas in the nation for pleasure boating traffic. During this summer’s boating season, CBP is working to enhance pleasure boater’s ability to comply with Federal regulations that require all persons, U.S. Citizens and aliens, seeking entry into the United States to report their arrival. The Master of a vessel must report their arrival to CBP after having been at any foreign port or place or after having contact with any hovering vessel. Failure to report can result in civil penalties of $5,000 for the first violation and $10,000 for each subsequent violation with the conveyance (boat) subject to seizure and forfeiture. CBP’s efforts will include the identification of additional locations to comply with the face-to-face reporting requirement. NOTE: Contact information is at the end of this release.
CBP will make every attempt to accommodate large regatta groups arriving from foreign with multiple vessels. Please contact the nearest CBP Port of Entry in advance to request on site clearance.
These pleasure boating procedures enhance CBP’s ability to carry out the twin goals of preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States, while at the same time facilitating legitimate travel and trade.
HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE BOATING SEASON!
Where to Report
· Detroit Area
o The number to call for boat arrivals is (313) 393-3949. This number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
o Arrival requiring an in-person report to CBP may be made at any of the following designated locations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
§ St. Clair – Metro Beach Public
§ Detroit – Erma Henderson Park
§ Trenton – Elizabeth Park
· Port Huron Area
o The number to call for boat arrivals is (810) 985-9541 ext. 0. This number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
o Arrivals requiring an in-person report to CBP may be made at any of the following designated locations and times.
§ Lexington - Lexington Harbor – 12:00 Noon to 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week.
§ Port Huron – River St. Marina – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
§ Algonac – Algonac Harbor Club – 12:00 Noon to 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week.
· Sault Ste. Marie Area
o The number to call for boat arrivals is (906) 632-7221 or (926) 632-2631. This number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
o Arrivals requiring an in-person report to CBP may be made at any of the following designated locations and times.
§ Sault Ste Marie – Kemp Marina - 12:00 Noon to 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week.
§ Drummond Island – Yacht Haven Marina - 12:00 Noon to 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week
§ Rogers City – Municipal Marina - 12:00 Noon to 8:00 p.m., 7 days a week.
§ Mackinac Island – Video Phone Reporting Station – 24 hour a day, 7 days a week.
Information Required for Call
§ Boat Registration or documentation number
§ Vessel name
§ Vessel length
§ CBP decal number for vessels 30 feet long or greater
§ Captain’s name and date of birth
§ Name, DOB, and NEXUS # (if applicable) for all persons on board
§ Value of any declarable merchandise
§ U.S. marina at which you arrived or will be arriving
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation’s borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, Agriculture Inspectors, and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States.