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Entering by boat: Hawaii (USA)

What to do to enter Hawaii (USA) by sea: the procedures, the papers to present and the ports where you can clear in.

Check with the authorities before you leave (last checked on 28 October 2026).

Before you arrive

The steps

  1. Enter at an official port of entry (Hilo or Oahu).
  2. Report arrival to CBP (ROAM or phone).
  3. Hawaii agriculture inspection and declaration form.
  4. Cruising license or CBP-1300.

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
  • Biosecurity declaration

Good to know

  • Same US federal rules (CBP ROAM, B1/B2 visa, cruising license).
  • Without ROAM, call CBP Honolulu on +1 808 356 4100.
  • Hawaii Department of Agriculture inspection: plants and animals declaration form, banned food seized.
  • Clearance no longer possible at Nawiliwili / Port Allen (Kauai) per noonsite (2024).

Ports of entry

The ports where you can clear in, and the services available there.

Hawaï (Big Island)

Kauai

Oahu

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.

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Sources

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.