Changes to Foreign Arriving Vessel Entry, Clearance, and Crew Processing Procedures

U.S. Customs and Border Protection sent this bulletin at 02/18/2026 10:20 AM EST

Attn: Port of Brunswick, GA

Effective March 1, 2026, U.S. Customs & Border Protection at the Port of Brunswick, Georgia will begin Advanced Qualified Unlading Approval (AQUA Lane), permitting sea carriers in the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) program to unlade their cargo prior to CBP Officers meeting the vessel. Sea carriers must meet the advanced unlading requirements listed below, prior to being granted permission by CBP to unlade their cargo:

  • Validated and in good standing partner in the C-TPAT program (sea carriers)
  • Compliant with importer security filing requirements
  • Compliant with agriculture requirements to include all required certificates
  • Crewmembers must remain onboard until formal CBP processing
  • All containers/cargo must be delivered directly to a C-TPAT terminal operator
  • Port Director or designee pre-approval

To request advanced unlading privileges, vessel agents must complete and submit an “Application Permit Special License Unlading Overtime Services” (CBP Form 3171 or electronic equivalent) with the Notice of Arrival for every unlading at each port. In section 9, Box “5,” agents should notate “AQUA Lane Requested”.  When utilizing the electronic notice of arrival, the notation should be added to the “other requests” section. CBP Will review and provide final approval or denial via email.

Please ensure arrival notifications include:

  • Arrival date and time
  • Carrier name
  • Vessel name and International Maritime Organization (IMO) Number
  • Voyage number
  • Vessel Agency name and point of contact information
  • Last foreign port
  • Berth of arrival
  • Requested unlading time
  • Request for garbage offload
  • Number of passengers/crew aboard the vessel

 

Emergency requests for assistance regarding vessel and crew clearance outside the hours above should be directed to the duty supervisor at (912) 222-9624.

Additional information concerning the advanced unlading process will be displayed on: https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/ports-entry/cargo-security/c-tpat-customs-trade-partnership-against-terrorism.

Please direct any questions to: Port Director Aaron M. Cerny at 912-222-9624 or by email at aaron.cerny@cbp.dhs.gov.