If you’re planning to sail across international waters, understanding the check-in and check-out procedures for each country is crucial. This guide covers the essential steps, frequently asked questions, the Roam App, and the importance of “Zarpe”, a key clearance document.

Time needed: 1 day

Step-by-Step Guide for Checking In

  1. Research Entry Requirements

    Each country has unique regulations regarding vessel entry. Review visa requirements, import restrictions, and necessary documentation.

  2. Prepare Your Documents:

    Passports for all crew members.
    Vessel registration and proof of ownership.
    Vessel Clearance Statement from last country
    Insurance documents.
    Crew and passenger lists.

  3. Report to Customs and Immigration:

    Upon arrival, head to the designated port of entry. Most countries require you to report within 24 hours. Complete entry forms and pay any applicable fees.

  4. Health and Safety Inspections:

    Be prepared for quarantine inspections or health checks, especially in regions with specific disease outbreaks.

  5. Obtain Entry Clearance:

    After inspections, you’ll receive an entry clearance document. Keep this readily available while in the country.

  6. Check Out With Customs Officials:

    Once you’ve completed your stay in this country, be sure to go obtain a port clearance document from customs officials at the port of departure. This is referred to as a Zarpe and will be required by the next port authority to verify that you left your last country legally.

What is a Zarpe and who requires it?

Spanish for “set sail” a zarpe is an official clearance document that can be obtained from customs officials at the time of your departure from a country. The need and use of a zarpe is situational based on their proximity and familiarity with the United States. Because the U.S. Customs and Border Protection has never had a tactical interest in monitoring what vessel leave our waters and when, our immediate neighbors know not to expect this from most vessels. These countries who are familiar with the United States’ exit process and do not expect you to present a zarpe include Canada, Mexico, and the Bahamas.

As you venture further south towards latin America or southeast towards the Caribbean, however, expect customs agents to demand your zarpe for verification that you left your last country in proper standing. Most of these countries have policies that if you do not present a zarpe you will be denied entry completely, but at the very least expect to pay steep fines and a majorly delayed check-in process.

If you plan on visiting multiple countries on your international trip, it is essential to obtain a zarpe from each one before you leave for your next port.

Get your Zarpe from the United States

The process for acquiring a US clearance doc before proper check-out, and the customs law in the U.S. as a whole is what we’d call “unintuitive” at best and “aft backwards” at worst. To get your US zarpe you need to make an in-person trip to a Customs and Border Protection office, which can be searched by state and found here. Double-check their availability and hours with a phone call.

The document in question is known as form CBP-1300 and is a multi-use document for vessel entrance or clearance. Before you show up, it is smart to be prepared with this document printed and filled out to the best of your ability. As you look at the questions on this form for the first time, no doubt you will wonder how this possibly applies to your boat or whether you even have the right document.

Click Here to Download US Zarpe Clearance Doc

Notes on form CBP-1300:

  1. Manifest No.
  2. Port Arrival / Departure
  3. Date & Time
  4. Draft
  5. Nationality, Name, & Type of Vessel
    • USA (NOT ORIGIN OF BUILD)
    • Boat Name
    • Recreational Sailboat, Motoryacht, etc.
  6. Vessel Built at / Year
    • At minimum, just enter Country, Year
  7. Name, Address, & Phone No. of Ship’s Agent
    • This can just be captain’s information
  8. Name & Country of Owner
    • Owner’s information
  9. Name & Country of Operator
    • Captain’s information
  10. Gross Tonnage
    • Match this to your documentation form or vessel spec sheet
  11. Net Tonnage
    • Match to USCG Doc
  12. Port Arrived From / Departed For
    • Your immediate destination
  13. IMO
    • N/A
    • Official # should Match USCG Doc
    • Call Sign should Match USCG Doc
  14. List All Dock Locations
    • N/A
  15. Particulars of Voyage
    • Here you can enter other ports you plan on visiting
  16. Cargo
    • N/A – Your provisions are not cargo
  17. N/A
  18. No. of Crew
    • List all on board for recreational vessel
  19. No. of Passengers
    • 0 for recreational use
  20. N/A
  21. None
  22. Bunkers
    • This is your fuel onboard. 1 Barrel = 52 gallons. OK to estimate value, nobody is going to be grading this.
  23. N/A
  24. N/A
  25. Passengers Allowed
    • N/A for recreational use
  26. No. of Passengers Embarking / Disembarking
    • N/A for recreational use
  27. N/A
  28. N/A
  29. N/A
  30. Purpose of Entrance or Clearance
    • No Foreign Cargo Transaction
  31. N/A
  32. N/A
  33. N/A
  34. N/A
  35. N/A
  36. N/A
  37. Port Entered / Cleared, Time & Date
    • This is for customs agent to stamp
  38. CBP officer remarks
    • The officer should assign a detail # in the space below
  39. Signature of Title of Officer Receiving Entry / Granting Clearance

Lastly, the officer will stamp your zarpe with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security seal. You’re ready to go!

What is a Zarpe, and why is it important?

Spanish for “set sail” a zarpe is an official clearance document that can be obtained from customs officials at the time of your departure from a country.

What happens if I don’t have a Zarpe?

Sailing without a Zarpe can result in fines, delays, or even detention at your next destination. Always secure this document before departing a country.

Can I check in and out remotely?

Some countries offer online pre-clearance systems. For example, the U.S. allows the use of the CBP Roam App for streamlined check-in and check-out processes.

Using the CBP Roam App

For U.S. pleasure boaters, the Customs and Border Protection’s Roam App is a game-changer for simplifying customs procedures upon return to The States. To get started:

  • Download the app and create a user profile.
  • Submit travel information, including details about your vessel and crew.
  • Schedule virtual inspections via video calls with CBP officers. This can often eliminate the need for in-person visits.
  • Receive official clearance directly through the app, saving you time and effort.

The Roam app qualifies as an Alternative Inspection System that satisfies the boat operator’s legal requirement to report for face-to-face inspection in accordance with 8 CFR 235.1 with some exceptions:

  • Travelers who require an I-94;
  • Travelers who must pay duties on imported goods; and
  • Other circumstances as applicable.

Travelers input their biographic, conveyance, and trip details and submit their trip for CBP Officer (CBPO) review. Once done, travelers receive push notifications and emails with their admissibility decision and next steps if applicable.

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