What is DTOPs? What is it for? Do I really need it for one trip to the Bahamas a year?

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RLKramer

RLKramer

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 14, 2016
Messages
81
Location
USA
Vessel Name
Winterlude
Vessel Make
2005 Hampton 558
I just got my renewal letter from customs and border patrol to renew my dtops annual registration to get my new sticker for 2025.

Can anybody explain what the sticker accomplishes and if we really need to have it on our boat for the one round trip a year we make from Florida to the Bahamas?

I've gotten it for probably 10 years, and have never seen it be utilized by any agency.

Is it used for the ROAM program online check-in when we return to the States? I don't think so? Am I wrong?

Comments anyone?
 
Yes, the DTOPs number is recorded on ROAM. The only thing I see it does is get some more money for Customs. Luckily it doesn't cost much. Before ROAM we were always asked for the number at the customs dock.
 
It's another money grab, but a necessary one if you want to return to the US from abroad on your boat!
 
I don't see DTOPS as a money grab. At $34.83 annual I'm thinking it costs CBP that much or more to process the application and issue the sticker.
 
The sticker is mainly a way for them to pre-register and pre-clear vessels entering US waters as being US flagged and not subject to other excise taxes or commercial traffic fees. Otherwise, they would have to look it all up and delay you every time you came in to see if your boat had to be taxed or not.
 
I have Nexus and was disappointed to find out now I also need DTOPS to enter. It is bureocracy at work. I was sent a renewal notice a few days ago. Just like you can already buy a 2025 car.
 
Last edited:
SteveK said:
I have Nexus and was disappointed to find out now I also need DTOPS to enter. It is bureocracy at work. I was sent a renewal notice a few days ago. Just liek you can already buy a 2025 car.
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Think of this way: Nexus is for you, DTOPS is for the boat. Sort of like having a driver's license and still needing to get tags for your car (Which you also still have to do for the boat in your local jurisdiction). DTOPS is just a federal tag for crossing the border. Fortunately, it's fairly cheap.
 
I do find that, when calling in to get cleared by Nexus, they are appreciative that I have my DTOPS number ready. (You don't need to affix the sticker anywhere--just have the number at hand.) Having all your ducks in a row wins their trust and helps get you waved through without having to stop for a border inspection.
 
I keep the sticker with my registration documents. I am NEXUS and haven’t actually seen a customs agent in 15 years. They do ask for my decal number every time I come home.

I am annoyed by the fact that if you are under 30’ or a big RV you are not required to have the decal. There is no break on the aviation side regardless of aircraft size. By the selective nature of it all, it’s clearly a money grab.
 
Thirty five dollars a year is not a money grab, it's lunch for 2.

Or a really good lunch for me - :)
 
Ertyqway said:
Think of this way: Nexus is for you, DTOPS is for the boat. Sort of like having a driver's license and still needing to get tags for your car (Which you also still have to do for the boat in your local jurisdiction). DTOPS is just a federal tag for crossing the border. Fortunately, it's fairly cheap.
Click to expand...
Actually, I do not need tags for the car or boat. Have a one time license decaled on both sides. Nexus and all the names before it are for the human. The mode of transportation should not matter, but it does to create a separate entity.
Nexus is federal, instead of DTOPS, why not add the boat to Nexus, even the car, one lookup needed. Too simple?
For those that have Nexus, you know you are vetted by both sides.
I suppose those that cannot get Nexus, can get DTOPS, hmmm?
 
If every plane, boat and car had to pay to cross customs then I would call it a fee. When every plane and boats greater than 30’ must pay but small boats and autos need not pay then it’s a money grab.
 
tiltrider1 said:
If every plane, boat and car had to pay to cross customs then I would call it a fee. When every plane and boats greater than 30’ must pay but small boats and autos need not pay then it’s a money grab.
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Totally agree. There is absolutely no perceived value to be had for the person purchasing a sticker, except allowing the boat to come back into the country.
 
SteveK said:
Actually, I do not need tags for the car or boat. Have a one time license decaled on both sides. Nexus and all the names before it are for the human. The mode of transportation should not matter, but it does to create a separate entity.
Nexus is federal, instead of DTOPS, why not add the boat to Nexus, even the car, one lookup needed. Too simple?
For those that have Nexus, you know you are vetted by both sides.
I suppose those that cannot get Nexus, can get DTOPS, hmmm?
Click to expand...
My wife and I both have Nexus cards. Nexus is for us, not any vehicle we happen to be in when we are crossing the border. I can use my Nexus card when I'm in a car or plane just as easily as on the boat (it also works generally as ID for coming and going places other than Canada). Also, I CAN'T use my Nexus card for expedited processing at the Canadian border if there are other people in my vehicle or vessel who do NOT have Nexus cards.

My boat is USCG documented, because that is required for US-flagged vessels over a certain size. It's also registered in my state, because the state requires registration of all powered vessels every year.

DTOPS is a tax-compliance registration for the boat (not the people on board) to cross the border into the United States, certifying that it originated in the US to begin with and already had taxes paid on it. That's different from USCG documentation and state registration and Nexus/Passports.

Now, you may not like that, but that's how it is and there is actually a reason for it to be that way. It's not an arbitrary money grab. Also, it's only 35 bucks, so....
 
Funny. I would be a visitor so it does not matter where the boat was built, so DTOPS is a money grab.
As you say, state and federally registered boat and yet you need another $fee, a money grab.
 
One year, we weren't taking the boat into Canada so I didn't get a decal. When I applied for the decal the following year, it was a major pain to get one, like I had fallen off their system. I eventually got a decal but not without a lot of angst. I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this.
 
Ken E. said:
One year, we weren't taking the boat into Canada so I didn't get a decal. When I applied for the decal the following year, it was a major pain to get one, like I had fallen off their system. I eventually got a decal but not without a lot of angst. I'm curious if anyone else has experienced this.
Click to expand...
Ken the email I received suggested that after paying it may be some time before the decal arrives due to supply issues, this 2 months before the 2025 decal is valid.
 
Ertyqway said:
My wife and I both have Nexus cards. Nexus is for us, not any vehicle we happen to be in when we are crossing the border. I can use my Nexus card when I'm in a car or plane just as easily as on the boat (it also works generally as ID for coming and going places other than Canada). Also, I CAN'T use my Nexus card for expedited processing at the Canadian border if there are other people in my vehicle or vessel who do NOT have Nexus cards.

My boat is USCG documented, because that is required for US-flagged vessels over a certain size. It's also registered in my state, because the state requires registration of all powered vessels every year.

DTOPS is a tax-compliance registration for the boat (not the people on board) to cross the border into the United States, certifying that it originated in the US to begin with and already had taxes paid on it. That's different from USCG documentation and state registration and Nexus/Passports.

Now, you may not like that, but that's how it is and there is actually a reason for it to be that way. It's not an arbitrary money grab. Also, it's only 35 bucks, so....
Click to expand...
Its a nice narrative but its a false argument. You can't get a Documentation number if all the import fees are not paid. Airplanes can not get an N# if all documentation fees are not paid. Also why not boats under 30', why not RV's and cars, its just plain inconsistent which means they knew they could just get away with it.

Is it insignificant? Yes, but its still just a money grab.
 
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