Updates

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Private Aircraft Electronic Manifest Requirements Beginning Now

Washington – U.S. Customs and Border Protection next week will begin requiring advance passenger and pilot information on private aircraft entering and departing the United States. This requirement seeks to enact greater post-9/11 security for non-commercial flights.

CBP issued a final rule on November 18, 2008, titled Advance Information on Private Aircraft Arriving and Departing the United States, which requires pilots of private aircraft to provide advance information on a flight’s departure, arrival and passengers, no less than 60 minutes prior to departure. Compliance with the new regulations is mandatory beginning May 18, 2009, 180 days from the date the rule published to the Federal Register.

The rule expands existing general aviation regulations by requiring pilots of private aircraft to send CBP the electronic manifest data for flights arriving into or departing from the United States. Filing of manifest data can be done through the Electronic Advanced Passenger Information System (eAPIS) or an approved alternate system.

The rule will require pilots of private aircraft to provide the following information no less than 60 minutes prior to departure to or from a foreign port or place:

  • Advance notice of arrival information;
  • Advance notice of departure information;
  • Aircraft information to foster aircraftentification; and
  • Complete passenger and crew manifest data.

The Final Rule is currently available at the Federal Register Online. ( Federal Register Online ) For more information on the eAPIS program, please visit the eAPIS section on the CBP.gov Web site. (eAPIS Information )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

For more information, contact: Michael Balero CBP Public Affairs Phone: (678) 284-5918 Fax: (678) 284-5932