This bulletin addresses the Notice Of Arrival requirements for privately owned yachts arriving to the U.S.
1. Under Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations, part 160.202 and160.203, foreign recreational vessels over 300 GT are required to file a Notice of Arrival (NOA) with the National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC) prior to arrival into the US.
2. There has been some confusion by vessel operators concerning how “Cruising Licenses” issued by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) relate to the Notice of Arrival requirements. While vessels that receive the CBP Cruising License may have some CBP reporting requirements reduced, the license does not exempt these vessels from the requirements for filing the NOA with NVMC.
3. More information can be found at the following websites:
NVMC: https://www.nvmc.uscg.gov/NVMC/default.aspx
CBP: http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/boats/pleasure_boat_overview.xml
Questions regarding this issue should be forwarded to the Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance, Foreign and Offshore Vessel Division (CG-CVC-2) at 202-372-1218 or by email at CGCVC@uscg.mil.