Reporting requirements for persons are established under the regulation promulgated pursuant to the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA), found at 8 CFR 235.1(a), which requires that application to lawfully enter the United States shall be made in person to a CBP Officer at a U.S. port-of-entry. Report of arrival requirements for vessels are established under 19 USC 1433 and the implementing regulation, found at 19 CFR 4.2, which requires that upon arrival in any port or place within the U.S., including, for purposes of this section, the U.S. Virgin Islands, of any vessel from a foreign port or place, any foreign vessel from a port or place within the U.S., or any vessel of the US carrying foreign merchandise for which entry has not been made, the master of the vessel shall immediately report that arrival to the nearest Customs and Border Protection facility or other location designated by the port director.
One alternative to the in person reporting requirement is the Canadian Border Boat Landing (I-68) Program, which allows certain applicants entering the United States by small boat to telephonically report their arrival to CBP.
There is no requirement that boaters must obtain a Form I-68. However, boaters who choose not to obtain a Form I-68 must report, in person, for inspection by a CBP Officer at a port-of-entry each time they enter the United States. U.S. citizen boaters who enter the United States with aliens who are without a Form I-68 and without reporting for inspection may be subject to fine and/or possible seizure of the boat. Persons traveling by boat who do not have a Form I-68 and fail to present themselves for inspection are subject to arrest, possible fine, or if a Non-US Citizen, removal from the United States.
Persons who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents of the United States may use Form I-68 for visits not to exceed 72 hours to visit within 25 miles of the shoreline along the U.S. border with Canada.
The Form I-68, after an initial inspection, permits a boater to report their arrival into the United States telephonically without having to appear at a port-of-entry for an in person inspection. The initial inspection involves an interview, checking the individual in the Interagency Border Inspection System (IBIS) and possibly other law enforcement databases, completion of the form I-68, and payment of the fee.
Each applicant who is 14 years of age or older must appear in person for inspection. The names and dates of birth of children less than 14 years of age must be listed on one or both of their parents' Form I-68. If approved, page one of the three-part Form I-68 will be issued to each applicant age 14 years of age and older. Each of the three pages of the Form I-68 will bear the photograph and fingerprint of the applicant for identification purposes. The fees for both individuals and families will remain the same as last year.
I-68 Registration Locations
Applications for the I-68 program are required to be in person at any of the following designated ports of entry. Please contact your port of entry for an appointment.
| I-68 Registration Locations | |
|---|---|
| Port of Entry | Phone Number |
| Chicago, Illinois | (773) 948-6330 |
| Detroit, Michigan | (313) 393-3949 |
| Port Huron, Michigan | (810) 985-9541 ext. 235 |
| Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan | (906) 632-7221 or (906) 632-2631 |
| Baudette, Minnesota | (218) 634-2803 |
| Crane Lake, Minnesota | (218) 993-2321 |
| Duluth, Minnesota | (218) 720-5203 |
| Alexandria Bay, New York | (315) 482-2065 |
| Buffalo, New York | (716) 881-4447 |
| Champlain, New York | (518) 298-8346 |
| Lewiston, New York | (716) 285-1676 |
| Massena, New York | (315) 769-3091 |
| Niagara Falls, New York | (716) 282-3141 |
| Ogdensburg, New York | (315) 393-1390 |
| Rochester, New York | (585) 263-6293 |
| Cleveland, Ohio | (216) 267-3600 |
| Port Clinton, Ohio | (415) 732-4446 |
| Toledo, Ohio | (419) 259-6424 |
| Erie, Pennsylvania | (814) 833-1355 |
| Milwaukee, Wisconsin | (414) 486-7790 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- United States citizens,
- Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States,
- Canadian citizens, Canadian Permanent Residents of Canada, and
- Landed Residents of Canada who are nationals of Visa Waiver Pilot Program countries, who also have a valid Form I-94W, Visa Waiver Arrival-Departure Record, or Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record if they were previously admitted with a valid unexpired visa, are eligible.
The fee for an individual Form I-68 is $16.00. There is a family cap of $32.00, but each member of the family who is 14 years of age or older must obtain a separate Form I-68. Children under 14 years of age will be entered on their parent's form. For fee purposes, a family is defined as husband, wife, unmarried children under 21 years of age, and parents of either the husband or wife.
The original three-page, form I-68 is only available at the issuing port-of-entry or other specified location where the inspection is conducted.
No, Form I-68 is only valid for one year.
The inspection process requires a short interview and checking of various databases, plus the time necessary to process the form I-68.
The participating District Offices are Anchorage, AK; Buffalo, NY; Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; Detroit, MI; Helena, MT; Philadelphia, PA (for Erie, PA); Portland, ME; Seattle, WA; and St. Paul, MN. Interested persons should visit the Website home pages for these offices and look for information on the "Canadian Border Boat Landing Permit" published under "Contacting Us," and under "Local Filing Procedures." These home pages will provide telephone numbers where you can call ahead to determine actual issuing locations and other details. Form I-68 is no longer renewable by mail.
Boaters not in possession of a valid Form I-68 must either report in person for inspection at a port-of-entry or designated location or utilize one of the OARS (Outlying Area Reporting Station) videophones each time they apply for admission to the United States. Under the OARS program, videophones installed at public marinas along the Canadian border provide an automated inspection service enabling two-way visual and audio communication between the inspector and the applicant for admission. Any person who does not comply with these procedures may be subject to adverse actions under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Title 19 of the United States Code.