U.S. boarder crossing May 18th, 2009 deadline approaches

[avcanada]

Compliance Deadline is Near for Private Aircraft Border Crossing Flights
Notice Number: NOTC1646

The Deadline is Approaching for Compliance With the New Department of Homeland Security Rule Affecting Private Aircraft on International Flights

On December 18, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a new rule that affects private aircraft operating on international flights. The rule, Title 19 CFR Part 122, is titled 'Advanced Information on Private Aircraft Arriving and Departing the United States'. Compliance with this new regulation has been voluntary since December 18, 2008, however, compliance becomes mandatory effective May 18, 2009. The DHS Final Rule can be viewed at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-26621.pdf

Beginning May 18, 2009, all general aviation flights arriving into or departing out of the U.S. require the pilot to electronically submit crew and passenger manifests and other flight information to the CBP at least 60 minutes prior to departure. This information must be submitted to the CBP using their Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS) website or through an authorized third party vendor. This new rule does not apply to domestic flights.

Pilots failing to meet these reporting requirements can be fined $5,000 for the first violation and $10,000 for each subsequent violation.

Pilots are encouraged to become familiar with the CBP crew and passenger manifest reporting requirements prior to planning any flights across the U.S. borders. More information can be found at the U.S Customs and Border Protection website: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleas ... te_flyers/

Pilots are also advised to register their information with the CBP eAPIS website and begin using the system now for international flights even prior to the May 18, 2009 deadline. Information on how to register with eAPIS can be found at: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/inspe ... mation.xml

Be informed and fly safely!

[petpad]

If anyone hears of, or knows of, one Canadian pilot that actually receives a fine from the US Border system, this should be kept and tabulated here with details, such as date, circumstances, amount of fine, appeal if any, etc...

[vova_k]

Tried eAPIS (to US and back) last week, worked fine, got response e-mails in less than 5 minutes.

Actually, more convinient than faxing 178 form...

[youngtimer]

And just a reminder, PHONE ahead. Many places will still want a 178 form amongst other things and you should confirm that the apis info actually made it to the customs office you are using. I filed e-apis last trip, got the confirmation in short order but when we showed up, they (destination customs) had NOT gotten any of the apis info. Fortunately, we had faxed a 178 and confirmed they had it.
As an aside, on the same trip home, Canpass transcribed our passenger info incorrectly and the officers were giving us grief until we showed them the original we had faxed, and then it was oh-well...

[vova_k]

And just a reminder, PHONE ahead.

Actually, the eAPIS confirmation e-mail says this...

[whistlerboy02]

APIS ??? its aweful... I don't understand what knowing the mailing address and ZIP code of the airport that you will be landing at has to do with American security????
They can google it just as easy as I can.
for those who dont know what i am talking about..... it asks you for you and your passengers physical address while staying in the states... if you dont know it you are allowed to use the address of the airport of entry
... Also you need 2 days ...or approx 24hrs...to create your APIS account so dont leave it until the last minute or you'll have to drive across the border... like the rest of the terrorists