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U.S. Customs and Border Protection Announces 2006 Pleasure Boating Clearance Procedures
(Friday, January 06, 2006)
contacts for this news releaseSEATTLE – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has implemented revised clearance procedures for small boats arriving in the United States from Canada. The new private boat clearance procedures are part of CBP’s comprehensive efforts to improve security at our nation’s borders while enhancing legitimate travel, including private boaters.The Pacific Northwest is one of the busiest international boating areas in the United States. Private boaters will be required to report to specified ports of entry for inspection if they are not currently enrolled in an Alternative Inspection Systems Program that would allow arrival reporting by phone. Only boaters participating in the I-68 or NEXUS/SENTRI programs will be allowed to report their arrivals by phone. Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) issued under the old Small Boat Reporting System are no longer valid. Participation in the Alternative Inspection Systems Program requires the payment of a fee and passing a background check by CBP and Canadian authorities. Participation in the I-68 program requires each applicant to appear in person for an interview at a Customs and Border Protection port of entry. Fees are $16 (US) for an individual or $32 (US) for a family. U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, Canadian citizens and Landed Immigrants of Canada who are nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries are eligible to apply for I-68 seasonal boating permits. Private boaters are encouraged to apply BEFORE attempting their first trip to expedite the border clearance process.NEW FOR THE 2006 BOATING SEASONArrivals requiring an in-person report to a CBP Officer may be made at any of the following designated ports of entry. The boat must be made available for inspection at a CBP designated area for possible boarding at the time of report. Regular hours of service are 8 A.M–5 P.M. from September 17th to May 13th. Extended summer hours for each of the below ports are 8 A.M–8 P.M.Friday Harbor | (360) 378-2080 | Roche Harbor | (360) 378-2080 | Port Angeles | (360) 457-4311 | Point Roberts | (360) 945-2314 | Anacortes | (360) 293-2331 | All other ports will require appointments to be made in advance for face-to-face inspections."These revised private boating procedures enhance CBP’s ability to carry out our twin goals of preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States, while at the same time facilitating legitimate travel and trade," said Thomas Hardy, Director of CBP’s Seattle Field Office. "Participation in an Alternative Inspection Systems Program provides real benefits for those enrolled."Details of the new private boating international clearance procedures are outlined in the corresponding fact sheet that can be found in the Fact Sheets section of the CBP.gov website. Boaters are encouraged to contact their nearest CBP office with questions regarding these new clearance procedures for boaters. Please refer to CBP.gov for the listing of the nearest CBP office. Applications for NEXUS participation can be made via the NEXUS website.
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NEXUS website ) U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws. | Contacts For This News Release
| 1000 Second Ave. Suite 2200 Seattle,
WA
98104-1049 | Mike Milne Press Officer
Phone: |
(206) 553-6944
Ext: 614 |
| | | | CBP Headquarters
Office of Public Affairs
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 3.4A
Washington, DC 20229
| Phone: | (202) 344-1770 or (800) 826-1471 | Fax: | (202) 344-1393 |
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