CBP Decals for 2019
- Thread starter All U Get
- Start date
Customs and Border Patrol.
I always get mine in March when I renew my documentation.
Nicer neighborhood and yum. But if you need to cross south, I know you have many forms to fill out at least four pages including you dog's mothers maiden name. So much easier to go north, thank you.
The new ROAM app works well. When we entered the US from Canada last week, I used the app to clear in as soon as I got a strong enough cell phone signal.
The Canadians have made it easy too. Once I identified myself and my crew and answered a couple of questions about alcohol, firearms and so forth. I was cleared.
The key to easy border crossings is to enroll in one of the trusted traveller programs.
I just received my decal from CBP, they sent me last year's sticker. I quickly called the help number and the young woman said that it was too bad but you can't order the sticker for 2019 until October 1st. I asked if mine would be sent to me and she stated I would have to pay again to get a sticker since there are no refunds. I asked to whom I would write to protest this deception, and she offered the CBP email address. I guess my friend was right, at least he wasn't cheated out of his money.
I had a similar experience on my Canadian cruise this summer - very easy to clear into Canada. I found that emailing the traveler details the night before crossing saved telephone time and transcription errors. I just put the traveler and vessel info into an email, sent it off to the link on this web page, and it was available to the officer when I called the next evening. https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/pb-pp-eng.html . One point that they often forget to tell you, when they give you your clearance number over the phone, write it in bold numbers and stick it to the inside of a cabin window or dodger so that it's visible. The dock masters often want to see it for US-flagged boats, and will ask for your number. Saves questions.
After a few hiccups, well documented on the sailing forums, the ROAM app has settled down and was very easy. You need to 'validate' to the app, which was a two-step process that was similar to validating your email address. The trusted traveler programs are the way to go, but everyone on the boat must belong to avoid the headaches.
There are a few "wrinkles" when clearing into Canada as we found out cruising the Thousand Islands last summer.
We called in while anchored at an island on the Canadian side. After going through all the question and answer stuff we were told that we would need to call in again and go through the entire process while on "mainland" soil. We dinghied to Gananoque so they could verify the location of our cell signal as "mainland" and went through the process again. The Customs guy did apologize several times and was very polite. I've always found the customs folk on either side of the border polite and professional. They have a demanding job so I can understand/forgive odd "bad mood".
We called in while anchored at an island on the Canadian side. After going through all the question and answer stuff we were told that we would need to call in again and go through the entire process while on "mainland" soil. We dinghied to Gananoque so they could verify the location of our cell signal as "mainland" and went through the process again. The Customs guy did apologize several times and was very polite. I've always found the customs folk on either side of the border polite and professional. They have a demanding job so I can understand/forgive odd "bad mood".