CBP Seizes Vessels Over Unreported USVI Arrivals
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has seized multiple vessels and issued civil penalties after operators failed to report their arrivals in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The enforcement surge serves as a crucial warning for British Virgin Islands mariners crossing the maritime border into U.S. waters. Officials warned that failing to comply with reporting laws can lead to fines up to $10,000 and vessel forfeiture.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a stern warning to mariners operating in Caribbean waters after seizing multiple vessels and issuing heavy fines in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico due to failure to report arrivals. According to the CBP San Juan Field Office, which oversees operations across Puerto Rico and the USVI, operators of small pleasure crafts arriving from foreign jurisdictions must report their arrival immediately upon entry.
Under federal customs statute 19 U.S.C. § 1436, failing to report carries a civil penalty of $5,000 for a first offense, escalating to $10,000 for subsequent violations, along with the potential seizure and permanent forfeiture of the vessel. The heightened enforcement holds direct implications for British Virgin Islands mariners, charter captains, and recreational boaters who routinely navigate between the BVI and neighbouring destinations such as St.
Any vessel entering U.S. waters from the BVI is arriving from a foreign port and must strictly comply with U.S. entry procedures. CBP also noted that travel between Puerto Rico and the USVI triggers separate arrival reporting requirements despite both being U.S. jurisdictions. Acting San Juan Field Office Director Efrain Rivas stated that arrival inspections are critical to maritime border security, allowing officers to verify traveler identities, conduct vetting, and prevent prohibited goods or illegal immigration.
CBP emphasized that claiming ignorance of customs rules will not exempt vessel operators from enforcement action. To facilitate entry, CBP encourages boaters to use the free Reporting Offsite Arrival-Mobile (ROAM) application. The app allows operators to submit vessel and passenger manifests electronically and participate in remote video interviews with officers.
However, authorities stressed that submitting details through ROAM does not grant automatic clearance, and mariners must wait for official approval before disembarking. If the application is inaccessible, operators must proceed directly to the nearest designated port of entry to complete clearance.
Certain travelers requiring paper documentation, cruising permits, or customs duty payments will still be directed to report in person.
Primary source: VINO