Entering by boat: United States
What to do to enter United States by sea: the procedures, the papers to present and the ports where you can clear in.
Based on official sources, checked on 28 October 2026.
Before you arrive
- Online procedure: CBP ROAM (application de déclaration d'arrivée des plaisanciers) — cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers/pleasure-boat-overview/roam
The steps
- Install the CBP ROAM app and set up boat and crew profiles before leaving.
- As soon as you tie up in a port of entry, report arrival (ROAM or phone); stay on board.
- Video interview or CBP office visit if requested.
- Request the cruising license (reciprocal flag) or file CBP-1300 and buy the decal.
Papers to have on board
- Passports for the whole crew
- Visas, if your nationality requires them
- Crew list
- Boat papers (registration certificate)
- Outward clearance from the previous country
- Ship’s stores declaration
Good to know
- CBP ROAM system: report arrival IMMEDIATELY (19 CFR 4.2) via the app or by phone; nobody goes ashore before CBP clears you. A video interview or office visit may be required.
- Cruising license (max 1 year, 19 CFR 4.94) only for reciprocal flags, including France, UK, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.
- Without a cruising license: form CBP-1300 within 48 h and an annual user fee decal for boats 30 ft and over; report each new port.
- Foreign crew: get a B1/B2 visa beforehand; ESTA does not cover a first arrival by private yacht (except returning from Canada, Mexico or adjacent islands after entering by air).
Ports of entry
The ports where you can clear in, and the services available there.
- Baltimore / Annapolis (Maryland)CustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- Beaufort / Morehead City (Caroline du Nord)CustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- BostonCustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- Charleston (Caroline du Sud)CustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)CustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- Key WestCustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- MiamiCustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- New YorkCustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- Newport (Rhode Island)CustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- Norfolk / Hampton (Virginie)CustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- Port Angeles / Friday Harbor (Washington)CustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- San Diego (Shelter Island)CustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- San FranciscoCustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- St. Petersburg / TampaCustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
- West Palm Beach / Lake Worth (Riviera Beach)CustomsImmigrationBiosecurity
Prepare your arrival with Hullteam
In the app, free: the map of every port of entry and its offices with their contacts, the crew list and the entry forms filled in for you, ready to print or send to an agent.
Create my free accountSources
- law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/19/4.94
- cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/cbp-reminds-holiday-pleasure-boaters-reporting-requirements
- cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers/pleasure-boat-overview/roam
- noonsite.com/place/usa/formalities
This information is gathered from public sources and sailors’ experience. It does not replace the country’s authorities, whose word is final: check before you leave.