U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”), in collaboration with NBAA, AOPA and COPA, have launched a monthly newsletter “to provide private aircraft operators with updates and best practices for complying with Advance Passenger Information System (“APIS”).” As you may know, CBP published the APIS Final Rule which requires private aircraft pilots or their designees to transmit to CBP electronically via the Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (“eAPIS”) the following information:
- Traveler manifest information for each individual traveling onboard the aircraft;
- Notice of arrival information; and/or
- Notice of departure information
CBP must receive this information no later than 60 minutes prior to departure for private aircraft flights arriving in or departing from the United States.
The inaugural December issue of the eAPIS Private Aircraft Newsletter features the following topics:
- APIS Regulatory Requirements vs. eAPIS Data Field Requirements – Why are they different?
- Submitting of Inaccurate APIS Information – Is it happening?
- eAPIS Online Help – Where is it?
- CBP User Fee Decals – How do I get a 2011 decal?
You can find the newsletter on NBAA’s website here and on AOPA’s website here. CBP has additional information on APIS here, as well as information for private aircraft operators here. I recommend that all private aircraft operators flying into or out of the United States take advantage of these resources to make sure they properly comply with the APIS requirements. Failure to properly comply could result in the assessment of significant fines/civil penalties.
