The above is probably the best advice that I can offer if you are looking to make your interaction with U.S. Customs simply a routine ending to your trip when returning from foreign shores.
So, what is ROAM exactly? The CBP ROAM app (Reporting Offsite Arrival - Mobile) is a free mobile application that provides an option for pleasure boaters to report their U.S. entry to U.S. Customs via their personal smart device or tablet in order to satisfy the face to face reporting requirement when returning to the U.S. from foreign countries.
It serves as an Alternative Inspection System (AIS) and the best part, it is free and reasonably easy to setup. The ROAM app can be downloaded from either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store directly to your smart device. You need to remember that when using ROAM or any other Alternative Inspection System, you may still be required to report to a staffed location for a face to face interview and inspection.
A little advance planning and preparation here will go a long way in making the entry procedure a little less painful. Another thing that you should try to do whenever possible is to provide Customs with an "Advance Notification of Arrival." An hour’s heads-up to CBP is helpful; (2) hours notice is better when possible.
So, before actually contacting U.S. Customs or docking at your first U.S. Port, there are a number of things that you can do to make the entry process go a little smoother. The one thing that you want to avoid is "not having all your duckies in a row when contacting and notifying U.S. Customs of your arrival or when the CBP inspector arrives on the dock."
And speaking of arriving at the dock - when you do arrive and the Customs Inspector is standing there tapping his toes on the deck boards and looking at his watch, you can pretty much figure that things have not gotten off to a good start.
While the timing can be adjusted for your particular circumstances, your preparations should be done a reasonable time in advance to reduce any possible delays.
Collect the following information (I generally just make a list of the information) so that you will have it available to you when you make your first call to Customs (Advance Notice of Arrival):
Collect the following information (I generally just make a list of the information) so that you will have it available to you when you make your first call to Customs (Advance Notice of Arrival):
The above information is pretty much all they require at this point. However, they may ask other questions if any unusual circumstances are noted.
Now that you have all the above information readily at hand:
Depending on your particular circumstance, they may provide you with Formal Entry over the phone (rare, but it does happen). If this happens, be sure to note the Customs Officer’s name, and the entry number he will provide you. Putting this into your vessel’s log book will ensure that it is not misplaced should you be questioned later.
On Arrival - No crew, passenger, cargo, or personal effects are to be landed until Customs has completed their inspection. The master may leave the vessel only to report to Customs if required.
With any luck the Customs Inspector will be standing on the dock when you arrive.