CBP Float Plan

[All U Get]

Hi all,

My new record for updating my US Customs float plan, three hours and twenty three minutes. I’m glad they improved the system.

All U Get

 

[justsomeguy]

Wait, you've got a plan?

 

[David in Sandusky]

What and why a float plan for US Customs?

We cross back and forth into Canada every summer, and all we have to do is report in when we arrive in either country.

 

[All U Get]

What and why a float plan for US Customs?

We cross back and forth into Canada every summer, and all we have to do is report in when we arrive in either country.

We file our expected return itinerary with the boat’s information and our passport ID all on-line. Then activate it the day we leave the Bahamas which gives us a number to use when we call in at the time we enter the US. Last year, even though we saved it many times, it dropped my wife’s information and we had an extensive discussion on whether she was illegally entering. All of this phone call happened while we were trying to get to an anchorage against the tide. I wasn’t too happy.

My wife sweet talked her way through the phone conversation blaming her inconsiderate husband for ignoring her that way. They had her information, but not saved in the float plan. It was experimental with flaws of a typical federal form. Maybe they should get some young kids to fix it.

 

[Kermit]

Maybe they should get some young kids to fix it.

Or hire hackers.
-or-
Nothing works better than a damsel in distress.

 

[dlochner]

The Small Vessel Resporting System (SVRS) and the BR number system have few kinks to work out. One big stumbling block is that different CPB regions apparently don't have the same policies and procedures.

I received a BR number online for myself and my wife. When I tried to use it, I was told that you can't get a BR number online. If you are on the Canadian border getting a NEXUS card does make the reporting process much easier and it gets you into the Trusted Traveller program with TSA PreCheck and access to the Global Entry Kiosks at airports.

 

[Parsons]

I went through a few weeks of confusion on using SVRS here in Michigan, and I think I have it figured out. I wanted to use an Alternative Inspection Program for US entry as the nearest CBP office is at least 100 nm away from our port. I signed myself and boat up on the national web page, and with a NEXUS card, it required no interview. I tried to sign my wife up as a passenger, but was continually delayed. I called the local Michigan CBP office, and while they were extremely nice and professional, had no idea about SVRS and wanted to give me a local one-off BR number. I was confused as I assumed this was a national program, like signing up for a frequent flyer number, each airport doesn’t get to decide if it’s going to going to give you points.

Unfortunately, the US government is not as organized as an airline. Each regional office decides, see link: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers/pleasure-boat-overview where the Michigan CBP has the following:

What Alternative Inspection Programs Does This Port Accept?

• Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit Program (I-68)
• NEXUS Program

Consequently, you need to check your particular destination port to determine which Alternative Inspection Program they accept, or show up at an official CBP port of entry, passport in hand. I wasn’t the local office’s fault their region had not adopted SVRS, just their boss’s.

This is why it works for @All U Get in Florida, but not for @David in Sandusky on Lake Erie. The nationally produced SVRS web pages and brochures don’t make this clear. The attractive thing is for those locations accepting SVRS, you can file a “float plan” with arrival plans, and activate it by smartphone or calling. CBP has all your numbers and boat info, so it’s much more convenient than reading it out on the phone, and much less likely they’ll want to inspect in person.

 

[dlochner]

I went through a few weeks of confusion on using SVRS here in Michigan, and I think I have it figured out. I wanted to use an Alternative Inspection Program for US entry as the nearest CBP office is at least 100 nm away from our port. I signed myself and boat up on the national web page, and with a NEXUS card, it required no interview. I tried to sign my wife up as a passenger, but was continually delayed. I called the local Michigan CBP office, and while they were extremely nice and professional, had no idea about SVRS and wanted to give me a local one-off BR number. I was confused as I assumed this was a national program, like signing up for a frequent flyer number, each airport doesn’t get to decide if it’s going to going to give you points.

Unfortunately, the US government is not as organized as an airline. Each regional office decides, see link: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/pleasure-boats-private-flyers/pleasure-boat-overview where the Michigan CBP has the following:

What Alternative Inspection Programs Does This Port Accept?

• Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit Program (I-68)
• NEXUS Program

Consequently, you need to check your particular destination port to determine which Alternative Inspection Program they accept, or show up at an official CBP port of entry, passport in hand. I wasn’t the local office’s fault their region had not adopted SVRS, just their boss’s.

Perhaps we on the northern border need to discuss this with our local representatives. It is an election year.

 

[DayDreamer41]

Perhaps we on the northern border need to discuss this with our local representatives. It is an election year.

Don't know why we would want to initiate changing a system that seems to work well for us. The Nexus card works on the Great Lakes between Canada and the USA as long as all on board have one, it makes it real easy to just call in, would be a great idea to apply the Nexus method to the rest of the country.

 

[dlochner]

Don't know why we would want to initiate changing a system that seems to work well for us. The Nexus card works on the Great Lakes between Canada and the USA as long as all on board have one, it makes it real easy to just call in, would be a great idea to apply the Nexus method to the rest of the country.

The SVRS allegedly eliminates the need to go through all the boat information. You provide the number, they pull up your data, ask a couple of questions and you're done. Quick and easy. No need to give Nexus number, address, boat number, etc. etc.

For us, we have to drive 90 miles one way to get a SVRS number. We'll just answer more questions when we call in.

In contrast, the Canadians keep track of the boat and the owner. When I call in, I give them my registration number and name. The first question is "Is Susan aboard?" In about a minute we're done.

The issue is that we seem to have different procedures in different areas. The same happens to Canadians with cruising permits. Some areas want them to call in every day, the next area wonders why they are calling every day. Seems the Feds ought to have consistent policies.

 

[David in Sandusky]

We have a Nexus card, too. Makes returning to the US as easy as checking into Canada. We’ve used it in the San Juans, too.

 

[Parsons]

Theoretically, if the captain has the NEXUS card, you do not need to have any interviews for the SVRS:

Note for travelers currently enrolled in one of CBP's Trusted Traveler programs: You are not required to schedule an in-person interview but you must complete the SVRS application. https://svrs.cbp.dhs.gov/Default.aspx​

I say 'theoretically' as I have had two Michigan CBP officers tell me that this is not true, and that all SVRS need an interview, even after pointing out the web page comment. I fully agree with @dlochner, there should be some consistency with the CBP. I can understand why foreign visitors are irritated. If you go into a US Post Office anywhere in the country, the same regulations apply to what you can ship, how much it costs, and how it must be wrapped. The local agent is reasonably well-trained, and doesn't just make stuff up. They don't have silly local rules like, "brown packaging tape is illegal in Michigan and Ohio".

 

[Roadking Larry]

would be a great idea to apply the Nexus method to the rest of the country.

which is probably why it will never happen

 

[dlochner]

I can understand why foreign visitors are irritated. If you go into a US Post Office anywhere in the country, the same regulations apply to what you can ship, how much it costs, and how it must be wrapped. The local agent is reasonably well-trained, and doesn't just make stuff up. They don't have silly local rules like, "brown packaging tape is illegal in Michigan and Ohio".

Slightly off topic, many years ago when I was in college I spent a semester in Italy. We students soon learned that different post offices charged different amounts to send letters back to the US. We found the cheapest one and did our business there. (For you young'uns, there was a time when email and cell phones were the stuff of science fiction.)

 

[LeslieTroyer]

My understanding is that everyone on the boat needs to be a trusted traveler (requires the interview) or you need to clear customs physically checking in at a customs house.

Here in the PNW their computers don’t do SVRS but each person can get a BR number which reduces the amount of data they need over the phone/VHF

 

[dlochner]

My understanding is that everyone on the boat needs to be a trusted traveler (requires the interview) or you need to clear customs physically checking in at a customs house.

Here in the PNW their computers don’t do SVRS but each person can get a BR number which reduces the amount of data they need over the phone/VHF

If you use a NEXUS card and SVRS to cross the border, everyone on board must have a NEXUS and BR Number. If not, then a trip to a reporting station is necessary. Not sure about the PNW, however, here on the Great Lakes there are Video Phone reporting stations that can be used. The nearest one to me is a 2-3 hour sail.

The same everybody must have a Nexus card rule also applies to border crossings by car.

 

[LeslieTroyer]

NEXUS is part of the trusted traveler program. I have “global entry” which includes all the NEXUS privlidges and only 10-15 bucks more. It is priceless when clearing immigration and customs when in coach on a A380 behind 2 other A380’s.

 

[dlochner]

NEXUS is part of the trusted traveler program. I have “global entry” which includes all the NEXUS privlidges and only 10-15 bucks more. It is priceless when clearing immigration and customs when in coach on a A380 behind 2 other A380’s.

Les, not sure when you got your Nexus card, we got ours 2 years ago and it includes Global Entry. Last fall coming back from London we cleared customs and got to the luggage carousel before the luggage and all but a handful of other passengers. $10 a year for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry is a bargain!

 

[LeslieTroyer]

@dlochner I don’t have nexus card I have global entry.

 

[JimInPB]

If you use a NEXUS card and SVRS to cross the border, everyone on board must have a NEXUS and BR Number. If not, then a trip to a reporting station is necessary.

It was my understanding that if some people on a boat have a BR# & others don't, then only those who don't have it will need to go report in. It is also my understanding that this can be done shortly after the others have disembarked. I believe that you are allowed to drive to a check in office from the marina as long as you do it that same day. This information is probably about a year old now. It pertains to SVRS with a BR #. I don't know if Nexus is different or not.