AREA PORT OF NEW ORLEANS
SUBJECT: CBP Clearance Required for Vessels Departing the Tri-Port
This notice serves to remind all New Orleans Tri-port stakeholders of the critical requirement for vessels to obtain proper clearance approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) prior to departing the Tri-Port (New Orleans, Gramercy, Baton Rouge).
Requirement for Clearance:
Unless specifically exempted by law, all vessels must obtain clearance from CBP before departing from a port or place in the United States. Vessel clearances are typically granted upon the approval of the Clearance filing in the Vessel Entrance and Clearance System (VECS).
Vessels required to file a clearance in VECS includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- All vessels departing for a foreign port or place.
- All foreign vessels departing for another port or place in the United States.
- All U.S. vessels departing for another port or place in the United States that have foreign merchandise for which entry has not been made.
- All vessels departing for points outside the territorial sea to visit a hovering vessel or to receive merchandise or passengers while outside the territorial sea, as well as foreign vessels delivering merchandise or passengers while outside the territorial sea.
No Departure Without Approval:
Vessels are strictly prohibited from departing the Tri-Port without receiving official clearance approval from CBP or obtaining prior written authorization from CBP.
Failure to comply with these regulations will result in significant penalties, delays, and enforcement actions.
Contact Information:
For questions regarding vessel clearance procedures or to request prior written approval for rare and exceptional circumstances, please contact Port Director James Welch at james.j.welch@cbp.dhs.gov
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