CBP Form 1304 - Crew's Effects Declaration Form

CBP Form 1304 PDF Details

What Is CBP Form 1304?

CBP Form 1304, the Crew's Effects Declaration, is an official government document required by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This legal form must be completed by officers and crew members aboard any vessel arriving in the United States when those individuals have acquired goods or articles abroad that are not intended for use during the voyage or to be landed in the U.S. The CBP form is essential for compliance with U.S. customs laws and is governed by federal regulations 19 CFR 4.7(a) and 4.7a(b). Filing the correct information on this PDF form ensures that CBP officers have complete records of all foreign goods brought into the United States by maritime crew members. You can also access official CBP information at cbp.gov.

Who Needs to Complete This Form?

Any officer or crew member aboard a commercial vessel entering a U.S. port who has acquired articles during a foreign voyage must complete this CBP form. This legal requirement applies to all maritime personnel regardless of nationality or the value of the declared goods. The ship's master, authorized agent, or a designated officer must also sign the document to certify the accuracy of the information provided by each crew member. The CBP government agency uses the declared information to assess whether any customs duties or taxes apply to the listed goods and to enforce U.S. customs law. Search for related forms using the links below.

Key Information Required on the Document

The PDF form requires specific legal information about both the vessel and its crew. Required content includes the ship's name, nationality, the voyage number, and the arrival date at the U.S. port of entry. For each crew member, the document requests their full name, rank or rating, and nationality, followed by a complete list of all articles acquired abroad along with their declared values. The form also includes a government certification section where the ship's master or authorized officer must sign and date the declaration. All information on the document is reviewed by CBP officials upon arrival. If you need to search for guidance on completing the form content, the CBP government website at cbp.gov provides official instructions.

OMB Control Number and Legal Compliance

CBP Form 1304 is issued under OMB control number 1651-0020. The legal authority for this government document comes from Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) sections 4.7(a) and 4.7a(b), which govern customs inspection procedures for arriving vessels. U.S. customs law requires that all commercial vessels comply with these regulations. Although the form carries a listed expiration of March 31, 2015, this refers to the OMB Paperwork Reduction Act review cycle and not to the validity of the legal document itself. The CBP Form 1304 remains in active use as an official government PDF for declaring crew effects. Failure to submit accurate legal information on this CBP document may result in penalties under U.S. customs regulations.

Related CBP Government Forms

Vessels arriving at U.S. ports may need to submit several related government PDF forms in addition to CBP Form 1304. CBP Form 1300 is the Vessel Entrance or Clearance Statement, a document that records ship information and must be submitted at each U.S. port of entry. CBP Form 1302, the Inward Cargo Manifest, is a CBP document that lists all cargo being brought into the United States aboard a vessel. For passengers and travelers arriving by air or sea, CBP Form 6059B serves as the standard Customs Declaration form. You can search for and access all U.S. Customs and Border Protection forms on FormsPal. These legal government documents help ensure compliance with U.S. customs law at every point of entry.