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OfficialEstablishment of Four Customs-Enforcement Areas · Last verified

Establishment of Four Customs-Enforcement Areas

CBP has declared four Customs-Enforcement Areas (CEAs) in coastal waters off South Florida, Central/Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf Coast of Texas.

What this is

CBP has declared four Customs-Enforcement Areas (CEAs) in coastal waters off South Florida, Central/Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf Coast of Texas. Within these areas, customs officers can board your vessel, search it and everyone on board, seize cargo, and make arrests.

Source: Establishment of Four Customs-Enforcement Areas

What you need to know

  • Four Customs-Enforcement Areas are established in near-shore waters of South Florida, Central/Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf Coast of Texas.
  • The CEAs target 'hovering vessels' used to smuggle illegal cargo into or out of the United States.
  • Within a CEA, customs officers are authorized to board your vessel without further warrant.
  • Officers may examine your vessel, any merchandise on board, and any persons on board.
  • Officers may bring your vessel into port, and may pursue, seize, and arrest individuals.
  • Four Customs-Enforcement Areas (CEAs) have been established by the CBP Commissioner.
  • The four CEAs cover near-shore waters of South Florida, Central/Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf Coast of Texas.
  • Within a CEA, customs officers are authorized to board your vessel without prior notice.
  • Officers may pursue, seize, and arrest individuals within a CEA.

Source: Establishment of Four Customs-Enforcement Areas

Frequently asked questions

Can border agents board my boat in these waters even if I haven't done anything wrong? The document authorizes customs officers to board vessels within the four Customs-Enforcement Areas. It does not limit boarding authority to suspected smugglers — the authorization applies to vessels in those covered waters.

Which waters exactly are covered — does this include Puerto Rico? Yes. The four areas are the near shore waters of South Florida, Central/Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf Coast of Texas. The document does not define how far from shore 'near shore' extends.

Can they search my bags and cargo while I'm on a boat in these areas? Yes. Officers are explicitly authorized to examine vessels, merchandise, and persons on board within the Customs-Enforcement Areas.

Can they force my boat to come into port? Yes. The document specifically authorizes officers to bring vessels and the persons on board into port within the covered areas.

Can they actually arrest someone on the water in these zones? Yes. The document authorizes customs officers to pursue, seize, and arrest individuals within the four Customs-Enforcement Areas.

Who does this apply to? This relates to Travel.

Where does this information come from? Homeland Security Department, published at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/25/2026-17354/establishment-of-four-customs-enforcement-areas.

Source: Establishment of Four Customs-Enforcement Areas

Official

Frequently asked questions

Can border agents board my boat in these waters even if I haven't done anything wrong?
The document authorizes customs officers to board vessels within the four Customs-Enforcement Areas. It does not limit boarding authority to suspected smugglers — the authorization applies to vessels in those covered waters.
Which waters exactly are covered — does this include Puerto Rico?
Yes. The four areas are the near shore waters of South Florida, Central/Southern California, Puerto Rico, and the Gulf Coast of Texas. The document does not define how far from shore 'near shore' extends.
Can they search my bags and cargo while I'm on a boat in these areas?
Yes. Officers are explicitly authorized to examine vessels, merchandise, and persons on board within the Customs-Enforcement Areas.
Can they force my boat to come into port?
Yes. The document specifically authorizes officers to bring vessels and the persons on board into port within the covered areas.
Can they actually arrest someone on the water in these zones?
Yes. The document authorizes customs officers to pursue, seize, and arrest individuals within the four Customs-Enforcement Areas.
Who does this apply to?
This relates to Travel.
Where does this information come from?
Homeland Security Department, published at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/25/2026-17354/establishment-of-four-customs-enforcement-areas.