U.S. Customs and Border Protection introduces app for reporting small vessel entry in Florida

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) recently launched its Reporting Offsite Arrival – Mobile (ROAM) app, which operators of small vessels can use to report their entry into Florida.

To use the app, travelers input their biographic, conveyance and trip details and submit their trip for review by a CBP officer. The officer may initiate a video chat through the app to further interview the travelers. Once CBP reviews the trip, travelers will receive a push notification and an email with their admissibility decision and next steps, if applicable.

The ROAM app offers an alternative to the 1-800 number currently in use. It features reusable traveler and mode of travel profiles and is designed to shorten wait times for reviews.

Travelers enrolled in Trusted Traveler Programs, such as the Local Boater Option (LBO), Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI, can save their traveler number in their profiles to save additional time when returning to the United States.

“Boaters entering the state of Florida with the ROAM App can now expect to save substantial time when reporting their U.S. entry,” Diane J. Sabatino, director of field operations for Miami and Tampa Field Offices, said. “CBP looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the boating community to enhance compliant travel into the U.S.”

The ROAM app is available for download to mobile devices from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. The ROAM app is also accessible on tablets at some partner locations.