US CBP Introduces New CBP ROAM™ Features to Expand Touchless Service for Boaters Arriving from Foreign Waters
To further support its innovation efforts, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today that CBP ROAM™ will introduce new features that allow pleasure boat operators to apply for and update cruising licenses.
In 2018, CBP reinvented the way pleasure boaters notified CBP of their arrival from foreign waters. Instead of calling ports of entry to report their arrival, pleasure boaters were able to provide all required entry information and engage with CBP officers through video interviews on their smart phones or tablets. Now, pleasure boaters can apply for a cruising license through the CBP ROAM™ mobile application. This cruising license authorizes select foreign flagged vessels to travel to ports within the United States without filing formal paperwork or paying fees upon arrival.
“CBP is excited to offer this new service to pleasure boaters as part of our transition to innovative, touchless processes that enhance our operations,” said Diane J. Sabatino, Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations, CBP. “By eliminating the need to physically enter a CBP Office, we provide boaters a significant time savings benefit and a safer environment for both the boater and CBP employees.”
The CBP ROAM™ application automates the process to apply for and update cruising licenses and, in most cases, eliminates the need to visit or call a CBP Office. The application process is integrated into the arrival report, making the change seamless for current users. Once a cruising license has been issued, a new button will appear that allows boaters to notify CBP of subsequent arrivals under the cruising license.
Current users who already have a paper cruising license should update their boat information in the CBP ROAM™ application with their cruising license number. Once verified, the “Port of Call” button will appear and can be used to update their cruising license.
The CBP ROAM™ mobile app is available in the Apple App and Google Play stores, and can be downloaded for free on a web-enabled smart device. Travelers must create a login.gov account to access the services. Travelers who already have a login.gov account should sign into their existing account. More information on CBP ROAM™ can be found here.