U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s San Juan Field Office reminded small pleasure boaters on March 20 about the federal requirement to report arrivals when entering Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The announcement comes ahead of a busy weekend for private vessels in the region.
The reminder follows an incident on Feb. 10, when CBP officers inspected a small boat that failed to report its arrival, resulting in a fine for the vessel's master. Fines for not reporting typically start at $5,000.
Director of Field Operations Roberto Vaquero said, "As part of our commitment to safeguarding our borders and ensuring the security of our communities, it is essential for all small pleasure boaters to comply with reporting requirements when entering Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. By properly reporting their arrival, boaters not only help us uphold the integrity of our border security but also contribute to the continued safety and efficiency of maritime operations in the region."
Federal law requires operators of small pleasure vessels arriving from foreign ports or places to immediately report their arrival to CBP. After reporting, officers provide further instructions regarding inspection procedures.
To facilitate compliance, CBP offers the Reporting Offsite Arrival – Mobile (ROAM) app as a free tool for travelers to report entry using their smartphones. Local marinas are expected soon to collaborate with CBP by providing tablets with ROAM access at their sites. The app generally fulfills legal requirements for face-to-face inspection except in cases where travelers need an I-94 cruising license or must pay duties; these individuals must still report in person at a CBP facility.
Travelers using ROAM input personal and trip details into the app and submit them for officer review. Officers may conduct video interviews if needed before issuing clearance notifications via push message or email.
Vaquero added, “We remind all boaters that if you navigate between Puerto Rico and the USVI you have to report entry in both locations, in addition to reporting entry when arriving from a foreign destination.”
The ROAM app is available through major app stores, requiring users to create a free login.gov account before use. Profiles can be saved within the app for repeat entries into the United States.
CBP continues to offer telephone numbers for arrival reporting during ROAM deployment and encourages those with questions or issues regarding ROAM to contact their nearest Port of Entry.
