CPB Houston-Galveston Public Information Notice Number: HOU-SEA-20-005
In support of Federal, State, and local restrictions being implemented to address the public health emergency and community spread of COVID-19, all maritime crew will be remanded to their vessels until further notice.
CBP will work with carriers on a case-by-case basis on temporary shore leave requests for such reasons as but not limited to humanitarian, shore side business critical to the safe operation of the vessel, legal, medical, etc. At this time, crew sign-offs (D-2) will still be reviewed and granted if the crewmember has direct and continuous travel out of the United States, the crewmember is not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, the crewmember has valid travel documents, and there is no other restriction on the crewmember’s travel.
Please continue to notify the CBP Fusion Desk as well as the boarding officer before inspection begins of any crew repatriations planned in the Houston/Galveston Area Port. You will be provided with instructions on any additional requirements in place at that time.
Please note, due to evolving travel restrictions worldwide, this activity is subject to change on short notice. A trade notice will be sent if CBP Houston/Galveston Area Port implements any major changes.
All entrance, clearance, and crewmembers requests will still be routed to the Fusion e-mail inbox at HOUSTONSEAPORTFUSION@cbp.dhv.gov. Local questions regarding issues related to this notice should be directed to Assistant Port Director Greg Vawter or a Watch Commander at 713-454-8002.
/s/
Roderick W. Hudson Area Port Director
Port of Houston/Galveston
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
DISCLAIMER: This information has been prepared for your convenience by the CBP officers at the Area Port Houston/Galveston. This material is intended to provide guidance. Recognizing that many complicated factors are involved in CBP matters, an importer may wish to obtain a binding ruling under 19 CFR Part 177. Reliance solely on this information may not be considered reasonable care. Importers are referred to Treasury Decision 97-96, which was published in the Federal Register of December 4, 1997, and in the CBP Bulletin of December 17, 1997, for in-depth information on the concept of reasonable care.