The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has issued a bulletin effective 6th January, 2014 addressing arrival requirements for privately owned yachts over 300 GT arriving in the United States.
The bulletin seeks to make yacht owners and captains aware that there is a distinct differentiation between the issue of “Cruising Licenses†by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the processing of Notice of Arrival (NOA) formalities that need to be undertaken by all privately operated yachts  over 300 GT with the National Vessel Movement Center (NVMC) prior to their arrival into the U.S.
The bulletin states that whilst vessels applying for the issue of a cruising licence may have some CBP reporting requirements reduced, the issue of a cruising license does not exempt such vessels from the requirements for filing the NOA with NVMC.
A full copy of the bulletin can be downloaded here:
USCG - Notice of Arrival Requirements for Yachts over 300 Gross Tons
For further information on U.S. cruising permits, U.S. entry requirements and non U.S. yacht ownership and registration please do not hesitate to contact us here at Oceanskies.