Cruising in the US as a Canadian Flagged Vessel
One thing we found daunting when we started out on our first voyage south from Canada was figuring out what to do in the United States. Did we need a cruising permit? What happens if we didn't get one? And, what are the port-to-port reporting requirements?
Well, as it turns out, it is clear as mud. Talking to other sailors didn't help. Even talking with the US Customs Border Protection (CBP) didn't help. We got different information with each discussion or call. But fear not! At the end of the day, effort matters. Try to be compliant and if the CBP says that you missed a step, form or procedure, don't worry. They will help you get through it, at least that is our experience.
Speaking of experiences, the following is based on our interactions and real world transiting journeys. The below process worked for us with zero repercussions. It is understood that someone else may have a different experience, that is accepted and even expected (see the "clear as mud" note above).
Note: Special thanks to Jean on Tekana for writing up this advice. She is amazing!
Well, as it turns out, it is clear as mud. Talking to other sailors didn't help. Even talking with the US Customs Border Protection (CBP) didn't help. We got different information with each discussion or call. But fear not! At the end of the day, effort matters. Try to be compliant and if the CBP says that you missed a step, form or procedure, don't worry. They will help you get through it, at least that is our experience.
Speaking of experiences, the following is based on our interactions and real world transiting journeys. The below process worked for us with zero repercussions. It is understood that someone else may have a different experience, that is accepted and even expected (see the "clear as mud" note above).
Note: Special thanks to Jean on Tekana for writing up this advice. She is amazing!
Cruising With a US Cruising Permit
It is easy to get a US cruising permit if your boat is newly entering the US and has been away from the US for at least 2 weeks. Simply apply through the CBP Roam app when you are clearing into the country. It will be valid for one year.
With a cruising permit, we were advised by CBP that we DID NOT need to report our vessel movements while in the United States. We also DID NOT need to clear out of the US when we departed for the Bahamas.
With a cruising permit, we were advised by CBP that we DID NOT need to report our vessel movements while in the United States. We also DID NOT need to clear out of the US when we departed for the Bahamas.
Cruising Without a US Cruising Permit
Every time we entered the US, we requested a cruising permit and it was granted. However, in 2024, we ended up leaving Wild Horses in Green Cover Springs, Florida for about 18 months. After the 12 month mark, our valid cruising permit expired. This was not an issue while the boat was stationary but as we started to move south down the ICW, we needed to make sure we reported our movements with the CBP (since we did not have a cruising permit).
After many, many, many conversations with many, many, many CBP offices throughout Florida, we arrived at a process that worked for our route from Green Cove Springs to Miami.
Again, this was our experience. We hope this helps as you do your voyage planning.
Green Cove Springs to Port of Miami
This process can seem very daunting! It is actually pretty straight forward - just focus and complete each section as you go.
Before leaving Green Cove Springs:
1. Send an email to the Port of Jacksonville ([email protected]) saying something along the lines of:
“We are two Canadians with a Canadian flagged vessel currently in Green Cove Springs. We are planning to travel to St Augustine and would like to confirm that you do not require a CBP Form 1300 until we clear the Port of Jacksonville."
2. Once confirmation is received, travel to St Augustine.
Before departing St Augustine:
1. Complete a CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 (Departure Clearance)
2. Email your CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 request along with your vessel registration and decal for the current year to [email protected] (3 documents total).
4. Email your CBP Form 1300 entry request along with the approved Port of Jacksonville CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300, your vessel registration, and current year decal to [email protected] (4 documents total).
This approval will cover you until the Melbourne area.
Before departing the Melbourne area:
1. Complete a CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 and request clearance to Miami (Departure Clearance)
2. Email your CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 request along with the approved ENTRY CBP Form 1300 from the Port of Canaveral, your vessel registration and current year decal to the Port of Canaveral at [email protected] (4 documents total).
**Why request clearance from Melbourne to go all the way to Miami when there are clearly a few ports in between? This was a HOT TIP from the CBP officer in Palm Beach. The officer said that we are allowed to anchor along our route to Miami WITHOUT contacting CBP as long as we are stopping for rest, weather or fuel.
Upon arrival in the Port of Miami
1. You have 48 hours to complete an CBP Form 1300 (entry clearance) and submit to the Port of Miami. Note: this time limit does not include weekends and holidays (as per their instructions).
2. Email your CBP Form 1300 request (entry clearance) along with the approved CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 from Port of Canaveral, your vessel registration and your current year decal to [email protected] (4 documents total).
Departing Miami
1. Complete a CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 request (Departure Clearance)
2. Complete an CBP I-418 form (only Miami will request this document)
3. Email your completed CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 and Form I-418 along with your approved Miami ENTRY CBP Form 1300, your vessel registration and current year decal (5 documents total).
You are now cleared to leave the USA! 😀
Port Phone Numbers
Port Jacksonville
+1-904-714-3100 ext 3084
Port Canaveral
+1-321-783-2066 ext 2241
Port Miami
+1-800-432-1216
Port Fort Pierce
+1-772-461-1733
Port Palm Beach
+1-561-844-1703 ext 249
After many, many, many conversations with many, many, many CBP offices throughout Florida, we arrived at a process that worked for our route from Green Cove Springs to Miami.
Again, this was our experience. We hope this helps as you do your voyage planning.
Green Cove Springs to Port of Miami
This process can seem very daunting! It is actually pretty straight forward - just focus and complete each section as you go.
Before leaving Green Cove Springs:
1. Send an email to the Port of Jacksonville ([email protected]) saying something along the lines of:
“We are two Canadians with a Canadian flagged vessel currently in Green Cove Springs. We are planning to travel to St Augustine and would like to confirm that you do not require a CBP Form 1300 until we clear the Port of Jacksonville."
2. Once confirmation is received, travel to St Augustine.
Before departing St Augustine:
1. Complete a CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 (Departure Clearance)
2. Email your CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 request along with your vessel registration and decal for the current year to [email protected] (3 documents total).
- Note: keep in mind weekends and holidays. You can complete it early (to a degree) and email the office if your plans change.
- Note: the CBP Form 1300 must be in PDF form to be accepted.
4. Email your CBP Form 1300 entry request along with the approved Port of Jacksonville CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300, your vessel registration, and current year decal to [email protected] (4 documents total).
This approval will cover you until the Melbourne area.
Before departing the Melbourne area:
1. Complete a CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 and request clearance to Miami (Departure Clearance)
2. Email your CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 request along with the approved ENTRY CBP Form 1300 from the Port of Canaveral, your vessel registration and current year decal to the Port of Canaveral at [email protected] (4 documents total).
**Why request clearance from Melbourne to go all the way to Miami when there are clearly a few ports in between? This was a HOT TIP from the CBP officer in Palm Beach. The officer said that we are allowed to anchor along our route to Miami WITHOUT contacting CBP as long as we are stopping for rest, weather or fuel.
Upon arrival in the Port of Miami
1. You have 48 hours to complete an CBP Form 1300 (entry clearance) and submit to the Port of Miami. Note: this time limit does not include weekends and holidays (as per their instructions).
2. Email your CBP Form 1300 request (entry clearance) along with the approved CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 from Port of Canaveral, your vessel registration and your current year decal to [email protected] (4 documents total).
Departing Miami
1. Complete a CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 request (Departure Clearance)
2. Complete an CBP I-418 form (only Miami will request this document)
3. Email your completed CLEARANCE CBP Form 1300 and Form I-418 along with your approved Miami ENTRY CBP Form 1300, your vessel registration and current year decal (5 documents total).
You are now cleared to leave the USA! 😀
Port Phone Numbers
Port Jacksonville
+1-904-714-3100 ext 3084
Port Canaveral
+1-321-783-2066 ext 2241
Port Miami
+1-800-432-1216
Port Fort Pierce
+1-772-461-1733
Port Palm Beach
+1-561-844-1703 ext 249
