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  4. CBP Announces Remote Traveler Inspection Process Pilot at the Sault Sainte Marie Port of Entry

CBP Announces Remote Traveler Inspection Process Pilot at the Sault Sainte Marie Port of Entry

Release Date
Fri, 04/24/2015

Eligible boaters will be able to submit their arrival information via a web-based application

SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.—U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced today the Remote Traveler Inspection Process Pilot (RTIP) at the Sault Sainte Marie port of entry for the 2015 boating season. This voluntary pilot project allows pleasure boaters to report their arrival in the United States via a web-based application after being in Canada, having contact with a foreign vessel, or coming in contact with a vessel entering U.S. waters from foreign waters. Registration for the pilot begins today and eligible pleasure boaters will be able to report their arrival using the web-based application beginning May 1.

“CBP continues to look for ways to improve the security of our nation’s borders while enhancing legitimate travel in this case for small boaters,” said Assistant Commissioner for Office of Field Operations Todd C. Owen. “This new technology has the potential to provide an alternate, more efficient and convenient way for pleasure boaters to report their arrival in the United States.”

Prior to reporting arrival to the United States for the first time, eligible boaters must register for an account and add their documents, traveler information, and if applicable, vessel information using the web-based application. Once registered, pleasure boaters will be able to submit their information to CBP when they enter the United States from a marina, boat, or a nearby home from a mobile device. Eligible boaters simply login to their account, enter their information including answers to customs declarations questions and submit their report arrival to CBP. A CBP officer will review the information and send an email/text with information on how to complete their inspections using Adobe Connect. Boaters will receive an email receipt at the conclusion of the inspection. The process also provides a CBP officer with the capability to perform an entry examination from a secure, remote connection using a video conferencing application.

All U.S. citizens and only Canadian citizens who are NEXUS or I-68 permit holders in the Sault Sainte Marie area are eligible to participate in the pilot which is being tested exclusively at the Sault Sainte Marie port of entry.

For more information on the pilot, visit CBP.gov.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021