Pleasure Boaters Be Warned!
Clearing U.S. Customs Regulations for Pleasure Boaters
Recent changes in Homeland Security Laws have made it necessary for all pleasure boaters entering U.S. waters from foreign ports to contact U.S. Customs and abide by the following guidelines. This will ensure a safe and convenient re-entry.
What Alternative Inspection Programs Do These Ports Accept
Local Boater Option (LBO) Program
Participants in this program may report their arrival to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) by calling one of the telephone numbers below. Unless directed by a CBP officer, a participant in this program does not have to report for an in-person inspection.
Visit SVRS to apply online for LBO participation and schedule an appointment for an interview at one of the authorized enrollment centers.
Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS)
In March 2010, U.S. Customs and Border Protection developed the Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS) for the Florida area of responsibility (AOR). SVRS is a web-based automated online reporting system created for the LBO participants to expeditiously report their intended arrivals from foreign ports. In addition, the web-based system will facilitate the enrollment of new applicants for the LBO program. New applicants will be able to enroll and make an appointment for a face-to-face interview with a CBP officer at an authorized reporting location of their choosing. Once participation in the LBO program is granted by CPB, the participant will receive an email with their Boater Registration (BR) number and password for SVRS. Current LBO participants must apply online for a password to access the float plan functions of SVRS.
The program is designed to provide LBO participants an easy-to-use web-based tool to record and update their intended international travel on a private vessel by filing a float plan.
Float plans consist of biographical information of all persons intending on traveling, vessel registration information and itinerary information. Once a float plan is entered and activated, SVRS will issue a float plan number. The float plan will be verified by CBP prior to the vessel’s return to the United States. Upon return to the U.S., the LBO participant who filed the float plan will contact the CBP Small Vessel Call Center (SVCC) to make a formal notification of arrival. Persons traveling, who are not LBO members, must report to their nearest CBP office for immigration processing within 24-hours of arrival.
To file a float plan, go to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Small Vessel Reporting System online at svrs.cbp.dhs.gov.
What telephone number do I call upon arrival into Florida?
The Florida Small Vessel Call Center (SVCC) can be reached at 1-800-432-1216 or 1-800-451-0393.
To make a formal notification of arrival on a float plan filed in SVRS, call 1-877-330-7327.
What information do I have to have when I call?
Vessel masters must have the following information available:
- Name, date of birth and citizenship of all persons on board (including passport number);
- Name of the boat and/or boat registration (BR) number;
- CBP user fee decal number (if 30 feet or longer);
- Homeport and current location; and
- Return contact number.
Vessel masters who files a float plan in SVRS only have to provide the float plan number.
After formal notification of arrival is made by the master of the vessel, those persons onboard who are not members of the Local Boater Option (LBO) program or have been selected by CBP for an inspection, will have 24-hours to report for a face-to-face inspection at one of the following reporting locations during their hours of operation.
FLORIDA INSPECTION LOCATIONS
Daytona Beach International Airport (Daytona Beach)
720 Catalina Drive, Suite 100, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114
Phone: 386-248-8043
Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale)
1800 Eller Drive, Suite 104, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33316
Phone: 954-761-2000
Fernandina Beach
403 North 3rd Street, Fernandina Beach, Florida 32024
Phone: 904-261-6154
Fort Myers – SW Florida International Airport (Fort Myers)
11000 Terminal Access Road, Ft. Myers, Florida 33913
Phone: 239-561-6205
Fort Pierce – St. Lucie County International Airport (Fort Pierce )
2990 Curtis King Blvd, Ft. Pierce, Florida 34946
Phone: 772-461-1733
Jacksonville
10426 Alta Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32226
Phone: 904-714-3100
Key West
Federal Building, 301 Simonton Street, Key West, Florida 33040
Phone: 305-296-5411
Port Manatee (Manatee)
400 Tampa Bay Way, Palmetto, Florida 34221
Phone: 813-634-1369
Port of Miami (Miami)
903 South America Way, Terminal H, Miami, Florida 33132
Phone: 305-536-4758 Ext. 5
Melbourne
One Air Terminal Parkway, Melbourne, Florida 32901
Phone: 321-674-5796
Orlando (Customs House) (Orlando)
9043 Tradeport Drive, Orlando, Florida 32827-5314
Phone: 407-240-4462 Ext. 0
Panama City
140 Richard Jackson Blvd, Suite 160, Panama City, Florida 32407
Phone: 850 636 6785
Pensacola
880 N. Reus Street, Suite 101, Pensacola, Florida 32501
Phone: 850-433-3205
Port Canaveral
200 George King Blvd, Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920
Phone: 321-783-2066 Ext. 2
St. Augustine
394 Estrella Ave, St. Augustine, Florida 32095
Phone: 904-209-0099
St. Petersburg
14700 Terminal Blvd, Suite 120, Clearwater, Florida 33762
Phone: 727-536-7311
Tampa
4662 Air Cargo Rd, Tampa, Florida 22614
Phone: (813) 348-1714 Ext. 0
West Palm Beach
1 East 11th Street, Suite 220, Riviera Beach, Florida 33404
Phone: 561-844-1703 Ext. 249
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