Travelling South of the Border
For those of you who boat south of the border, the following information bulletin was recently issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection regarding a new program to permit easier entry of pleasure craft into the U.S.
“The Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS), a voluntary program offered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), helps boaters report their arrival to the U.S. at no charge.
The program is designed to expedite entry of legitimate boaters, enabling CBP officers to focus their attention on higher-risk travelers and craft.
SVRS is available to: U.S. Citizens, nationals and lawful permanent residents; Canadian citizens; and permanent residents of Canada who are nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country.
Enrolling is quick, easy, and free via the Internet in just three steps:
1. Complete application at www.CBP.gov/SVRS
2. Schedule interview online with CBP officer
3. Receive boater registration number and password by email
SVRS participants report their entry to the U.S. quickly too, by calling a dedicated telephone line and responding to the questions. (CBP reserves the right to hold an in-person inspection if needed.)
The system is currently available in the Southeast at Florida, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. It is also deployed at the U.S./Canada border.
Useful Websites:
General Information
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/boats/svrs.xml
Enrollment Page
Audio of Announcement (for sharing or broadcast)
