Trip to Europe (and back) begins

Johann

Johann

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Jun 3, 2004
457
Leopard 39 Pensacola
Scott T-Bird said:
People visit this country from all over the world on vacation or for business all the time on a routine basis, so I'm still not understanding, except that arriving by private boat must be the issue. Still, I don't understand the issue when it seems like it would be routine. Why can't she just arrive, get processed and fly home?

It doesn't sound like a CBP decal is necessary when he can simply arrive and do the processing upon arrival. That seems like a decal for a boat that frequently leaves and enters to speed up the process that would get really tedious if entering the country frequently from somewhere else - like going back and forth from Canada or the Bahamas. Why get one for a one-time entry?
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Those US visitors typically have an ESTA, which is a visa waiver program. But again, this doesn’t apply to private vessels. If someone were to just arrive, they would be denied entry.

The CBP decal is required. You need to provide the decal number when checking into the US and CBP will verify it is valid.

Here‘s a Youtube example of a family dealing with the Visa issue… A good explanation starts at 5:41.
 
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dLj

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
3,909
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Scott T-Bird said:
Reading thru the requirements, it sounds like it is required to purchase the decal even for just a one-time re-entry. I guess it just takes some planning ahead to acquire the decal prior to leaving so that you have it when you come back. It seems a little confusing to me still. What if you leave for a year (or you are gone during the expiration date at the end of the year). You can pay the fee on line - but does CBP mail a decal to you? So, you have to wait at some location while the mail arrives? Can't they simply provide the decal in a printable form so that you can recieve it on line? I must be completely out of touch because I really don't understand this process. Why is there a decal that has to be displayed when documentation is so easily stored as data that can be accessed from any location? :what:
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Yes, CBP mails the decal to you. But they will only mail it to your home address in the US. They do not have an online access form. Luckily, applying for it and writing down the number will work for me because they give you a three month grace period for the decal to arrive to you home address. This is doing nothing to expedite anything. It is not providing any additional security. It is nothing more than added paperwork, hassle and fees.

I would say your statement of "I must be completely out of touch because I really don't understand this process. Why is there a decal that has to be displayed when documentation is so easily stored as data that can be accessed from any location? :what:" pretty much sums up what I feel is totally unnecessary paperwork and fees that do nothing.

A foreign national cannot come into the US on the typical ESTA VISA on a private vessel. It has to be on a commercial vessel. That's another regulation that makes 0 sense to me. What difference does it make? I have to have a crew manifest with crew that joined or crew that left. I have fully traceable documentation.

Here in the Caribbean foreigners sail into the BVI's, take the ferry across the the USVI's get their VISA stamped, then ferry back take the boat and sail in. That ferry costs about $200 each way. What have we achieved? Ridiculous from my perspective.
 
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dLj

dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
3,909
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Johann said:
Those US visitors typically have an ESTA, which is a visa waiver program. But again, this doesn’t apply to private vessels. If someone were to just arrive, they would be denied entry.
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Correct! Then either I have to take them back onto my boat and transport them back to where we came from or pay for their exportation.... Absurd....

dj
 
Will Gilmore

Will Gilmore

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Oct 19, 2017
7,841
O'Day 19 Littleton, NH
The US government doesn't fly you cheaply, either. My son got stuck in Peru for over a month during the Covid lock down. When the State Department chartered commercial jets to fly Americans home, the bill was like flying business class.

-Will
 
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dLj

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
3,909
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
BVI's here we come! Should arrive by early morning. Check in at Spanish Harbor, then up to Bitter End...

It's 3:30 am here, I'm on watch and all's clear!

dj
 
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Will Gilmore

Will Gilmore

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Oct 19, 2017
7,841
O'Day 19 Littleton, NH
The Baths is one of those spectacular places you should visit.

Let me know if they still have their Caribbean Mouse at the Bitter End.

Tortola has a train forest you can visit.

-Will
 
dLj

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
3,909
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Will Gilmore said:
The Baths is one of those spectacular places you should visit.

Let me know if they still have their Caribbean Mouse at the Bitter End.

Tortola has a train forest you can visit.

-Will
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Sounds very nice - my current crew has been here many times, he's been talking to me about these locations. Might not get to Tortola, time is an issue...

dj
 
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JRacer

JRacer

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Aug 9, 2011
1,351
Beneteau 310 Cheney KS (Wichita)
We like Sydney's Peace & Love in Little Harbor, Jost Van Dyke. Good harbor to spend a night and Sydney's family are all nice people and they will serve up a good meal. There is also a good place to eat at the top of Virgin Gorda - don't recall the name.
 
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dLj

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
3,909
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Heading to Bitter End right now. Check in was almost 3 hours... Bunch of cruise ships ahead of me....

dj
 
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