Immigration question - Hawaii

[nijh]

Hi

 

We are cruising from Sydney to Hawaii. Our first US landfall is in Maui, just as a port of call, prior to disembarking in Honolulu the following day.

 

When will we be required to go through the US Immigration process - Maui or Oahu?

 

Just trying to plan as to whether we will be quick(ish) off the boat in Honolulu and have to plan our Maui day bearing clearance in mind, or whether Maui will be OK but we have to plan for possible delays in Oahu.

[spirit rev]

When wehave had a port in the USA prior to disembarcation, immigration has come onto the ship to clear us. On the ships we have been on where this is needed there has been a place for those who carry US passports and green cards and another for those who carry passports from other nations. It has always seemed to be a very smooth and easy process. Plus, immigration already has a list of everyone who is on the ship so background info is already done before you arrive in port.

[BruceMuzz]

The US Government requires everyone entering the USA to go through Immigration at the first point of entry.

In your case that will be Maui.

If you are tendering at Maui, they may require everyone to go through Immigration before allowing anyone to go ashore. If that happens, you are in for a long delay.

 

The US Government also requires everyone disembarking from a cruise ship in a US port to go through Customs Inspection.

In your case, that wil be Honolulu.

 

Essentially, as US Customs and US Immigration are now combined under CBP, you wil be going through this exercise twice.

Your tax dollars at work......................

[nijh]

Thanks both.