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 Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
(01/12/2009)The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has implemented enhanced security procedures for small boat arrivals. This increased enforcement posture requires physical reporting to a designated local CBP office when returning from foreign ports or locations for a face-to-face inspection, unless enrolled in an alternative inspection program that would allow arrival reporting by phone.Alternative Inspection Programs Accepted in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands- Local Boater Option (LBO) Pilot Program
Participants in this program may report their arrival to CBP by calling one of the locations mentioned below. Participants in this program do not have to report for an in-person inspection, unless directed by a CBP officer. Participation in the LBO program does not exempt boaters from decal requirement.Pleasure Boat Clearance procedures
Clearance procedures for pleasure boats arriving at the United States from foreign include:- Arrivals to the USVI from foreign and,
- Arrivals to Puerto Rico from the USVI and foreign
What information do I need to provide when I call?The Master of the vessel must call to report arrival immediately upon entering the United States by calling the nearest designated location and provide:- LBO registration number (if applicable)
- Name, date of birth and citizenship of all persons on board (including passport number)*;
- Name of the boat and/or boat registration number;
- CBP user fee decal number (if 30 feet or longer);
- Homeport and current location;
- Return contact number
*Beginning January 31, 2008, U.S. and Canadian citizens 19 years and older who enter the U.S. at sea ports of entry from within the Western Hemisphere will need to present government-issued photo ID as proof of identity along with proof of citizenship. By summer of 2008 it is anticipated that only passports or WHTI-compliant documents will be acceptable for entering the United States. For more information on travel document requirements, view WHTI Land and Sea Rule under the Travel Section.Designated Sites for Inspection at Ports of Entry for Private Boats Operators:Monday through Sunday from 0800 to 1700 hours:Puerto Rico
Port of Fajardo
Puerto Real Municipal Pier
In front of the Customhouse
(787) 863-0950
(787) 863-0102Vieques Station
Mosquito Pier
(787) 741-8366
Alternate: (787) 863-0950Culebra Station
(Monday through Saturday only)
Dewey Dock Ensenada Honda
(787) 742-3531
Alternate: (787) 863-0950Port of Ponce
Ponce Pier
Ponce Yatch Club
(787) 841-3130
(787) 841-3131Port of Mayagüez
Mayagüez Public Pier
(787) 831-3342
(787) 831-3343Port of San Juan
CBP Boathouse Facility (Next to San Juan Bay Marina)
(787) 729-6600
Alternate: (787) 253-4533/4537United States Virgin IslandsPort of St. Thomas
Customs and Border Protection
Edward W. Blyden Terminal
Veterans Drive
(340) 774-6755Port of St. Croix
Customs and Border Protection
Gallows Bay Marine Facility
(340) 773-1011Port of St. John
Customs and Border Protection
Cruz Bay, St. John VI
(340) 776-6741During other than regular business hours (5:00 pm - 8:00 am) the numbers to call are:- Puerto Rico (all ports) (787) 253-4533 or (787) 253-4538
- St. Thomas/St. John (340) 774-4554
- St. Croix (340) 773-1490
Decal Information
Decals are stickers that are placed on all private aircraft and private vessels (30 feet or more in length) as proof that the User Fee for entry into the U.S. has been paid for the calendar year. If a vessel or aircraft does not have a decal upon entering the U.S., an application must be completed and a User Fee purchased when reporting to CBP. Participation in the LBO program does not preclude the decal requirement. In order to obtain your decal you can login to our web page or submit a paper application:Login to Web Page
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Decal and Transponder Online Procurement System (DTOPS) ) Paper Application
CBP sent User Fee renewal applications to all customers who purchased calendar year User Fees. The renewal application will list all the information the customer provided for the purchase of the User Fees. Instructions are included for the completion of the application. Incorrect information should be revised and missing information should be provided on the pre-printed renewal application. We recommend that applicants provide all information requested, per the instructions, to avoid CBP having to return the application without a decal/transponder. Please contact the User Fee Help Desk at (317) 298-1245 or email for free assistance.decals@dhs.gov If you do not receive a renewal application in the mail, you may obtain an "Annual User Fee Application for vessels or aircraft" (CF-339) from a local CBP port office or by calling User Fee Help Desk at (317) 298-1245. "Annual User Fee Applications for commercial vehicles (trucks)" may only be obtained by calling the User Fee Help Desk at (317) 298-1245 or email. decals@dhs.gov Failure to Report:
Failure to report can result in civil penalties as defined in Title 19, Unites States Code Section 1436, to include a penalty of $5,000 for the first violation and $10,000 for each subsequent violation with the conveyance subject to seizure and forfeiture. In addition, to being liable for a civil penalty, any master who intentionally commits a violation under subsection (a) of the above stated section, upon conviction is liable for a fine of not more than $2,000 or imprisonment for one year or both. |
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