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-
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/border_security/am/
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/private_flyers/
Be informed and fly safely!