What's new
Van's Air Force

Don't miss anything! Register now for full access to the definitive RV support community.

New border crossing procedures - what's the real story?

flyboy1963

flyboy1963

Well Known Member
as of May 2009 private aircraft entering the U.S. from Canada and i assume, anywhere else, are subject to the full rubber glove procedure.
....but seriously, can anyone summarize what the steps are to allow us to smoothly visit our favourite cousins without losing our aircraft or sanity?
 
The new system is computor based. You will need to set up an eAPIS account. https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/ Before your flight you will have to use this website to announce your intentions. You will still have to call ahead but you will not need the old form 178. You will still need a flight plan and be in contact with flight following before crossing the border. A mode C transponder is required.
The biggest difference it when you go back to Canada you will have to go on line to your eAPIS account again. As before you will need to contact CanPass and file a flight plan.
The downside is that you will have to have access to a computor to not only declare your intentions but recieve email confirmation before you can depart, for both entering and leaving the US.
Given a bit of time I am sure we can work within the new system.
 
what about other details?

I believe you need to pre-arrange for a US customs sticker for your plane. Not sure about the return requirements. You need to cross the border with "X" number of miles of your intended path and with +/- so many minutes. I think COPA has the full list of requirements. It sure would be nice if someone just put them in an easy to follow checklist!
 
no borders

thanks guys,
Andrew, that's exactly my fear.
Plane is covered with stickers, pockets filled with forms and stuff, e-mails and 800 numbers that don't work in the U.S.....and I'm stuck in the beautiful south with someone who says " I don need no steenkin' .....etc." :)
...all because I didn't see section b paragraph 2 somewhere.
 
I don't want to jinx this but....

I just arrived Monday to the USA from the Cayman Islands, landing Key West. Clearing Customs at Key West was a walk-in-the-park! They were fast, efficient and had me in/out in less than 10 minutes. No rubber gloves, no strip search, nothing but professional and courteous at Key West.

Yes, prior to departure, I filed eAPIS (which desperately needs somebody who codes this software to actually try to use it and find out how bad it is... took me an hour to figure it out after clicking my way through to nowhere...I spent 22 years trying 'break' F-117 Avionics Software and am very good at finding problems and suggesting solutions :)

After signing up and giving the system every piece of information on you including your favorite color, when filing eAPIS the system will again ask you to enter every single piece of information that you already gave them :mad:

You will also need to enter the address where you can be reached in addition to your permanent address (how about a checkbox that says "Check here if same as permanent address").

If you are in a 2-seat RV, file your passenger as CREW.

Here are some hints to save you some time when using the eAPIS system to file:

1) When you see a dropdown box with selections that have your name (and others), select your name in the dropdown box. I was put in an endless loop by selecting my name then immediately entering addresss information in the boxes below :eek:

2) Click the first box that's next to the dropdown box, "SHOW DETAILS". Fill in the "Address While in the United States" information that is missing as indicated by the red asterisks next to the boxes.

3) Verify the "Document Information" is correct else select the correct "Document Information" in the dropdown box.

4) Click "SAVE TO MANIFEST".

5) If you have passengers, repeat steps 1/2/3/4 for other passengers, otherwise....continue to step 6.

6) Click "NEXT STEP" and continue the process (good luck, Rosie).

PS: Unfortunately, all Customs Agents and Offices are not created equal.... I have more notes on customs at Key West here on my trip report link.
 
Last edited:
Customs Decal is the First Step

I obtained the aircraft decal from https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/ Not too straight forward but a phone call to the 1-800 help number fixed the issue. Turns out I already had a decal and I needed the old decal number. They used the tail number to find the decal number and then they gave me my old account number and then I could log in with the old account number and the old decal number where I could use the "renew" tab to complete the decal purchase. Whew.

The next step will be the eAPIS system. My concern will be that we are coming back to the US from a rather remote airport and I suspect that they don't have web access. That ought to be interesting.

I believe that I still have to call Canada customs to warn them I'm coming also.
 
I just enrolled in the eApis site and activated my account in less than three hours...much of that because I did not see the email from them for about 1.5 hours.
 
Make sure everything on you APIS manifest is correct. Errors may cause the PIC to be fined ($5,000.00 for the first offense, $10,000.00 for subsequent offenses). After you submit your eAPIS manifest, you'll get a confirmation email, but it only confirms reciept of your manifest. It doesn't mean that it was filled out correctly. You'll still need to call the local arrival CBP office to set up your arrival. They should have a copy of your APIS manifest. Most CBP offices are still requiring a form 178 as well for the time being. These APIS manifests must be filed when leaving or coming into the US to or from any foriegn country. If you are going to Canada you must also remember to call CANPASS to arrange your arrival. It's going to take a while to work out all the initial teething problems. Like how do you know if your submitted manifest is correct, and how do you make a copy of your confirmation email and manifest when you don't have a printer hooked up to your Blackberry.....

Scott
RV-8 Fastback (domestic)
 
eapis

signed up for eapis today
its hard to find a phone in most places dont even think about using a computer
the old way worked to good for it to be govt run so they went and screwed it up
one freedom at the time cant take all at once so one at the time
 
fast

gil
they were taking a long time last year
they sub it out now the decals and transponders are handled by a outside company
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top