Clearing Customs Using the Local Boater Option?

[Rick Webb]

We are signing up for this for a trip a few buddies of mine are taking. Anyone familiar with it?http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/boats/pleasure_boat_overview.xmlLocal Boater Option (LBO)Local Boater Option (Miami, Tampa, and San Juan) is a voluntary effort that will allow eligible, frequent pleasure boat operators and passengers, who are U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) of the United States, to register themselves and their vessel with CBP. The Local Boater Option offers facilitated customs and immigration clearance for recreational low-risk boaters at time of arrival. Enrollment to the LBO Program is voluntary and will allow CBP to expedite the arrival reporting process to boaters who have enrolled into the program. This program will satisfy the boat operator’s legal requirement to report to a port-of-entry for face-to-face inspection in accordance with 8 CFR 235.1, but boaters must still phone in their arrival to satisfy 19 USC 1433.

 

[Bill Bell]

Works Great

I signed up last year. Had to go to Tampa immigration office in person to sign up. Later found out that we could have gone to Fort Myers airport and done the same. When we arrived back from the Bahamas, we just called the telephone number and answered several questions and were cleared. In the past, we would have to make it 15 to 20 miles across Miami to the cruise ship port to check in in person. So for me it was a lot easier to sign up ahead and not worry about is when I didn't have a car.Bill

 

[Ed A]

great program

I do deliveries and it has been great for coming out of the bahamas. You have to have your information together to make it clear and not create any confusion about who is with you and what there numbers are, but it is a long overdue program that allows at their decretion, to let you come into the country without haveing to go long distances.I call in at marathon, and get cleared in, if you have to go check-in in person you would have to dock and go to key wests by car or miami. I have had to do that several times, but with the new program it saves us a full day and a all the costs for a rental car to check in.This is a good thing!Ed

 

[Rick Webb]

Exactly What I was Wanting to Hear

It will be worth the trip to get this done. Thanks

 

[Stu Jackson]

Just re-read the BoatUS magazine

which had a letter to the editor about this very topic.Suggest you check the BoatUS website for details.