U.S. Customs Requirements

Charter flights and non-U.S. registered private aircraft entering the United States must adhere to various documentation, procedural, and advance notice obligations imposed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Documentation

• Customs bond – All U.S-based Part 135 charter operators that fly internationally must have an International Carrier Bond, ensuring their compliance with regulatory requirements. Check with your intended Airport of Entry (AOE) to ensure the amount and form of your bond meets requirements.
• Carrier ID – You can obtain an APIS carrier code using a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) APIS Registration Form.
• Master Crew List (MCL) – Electronically transmit an MCL and Crew Manifest data to the Transportation Security Agency (TSA).

Visa Requirements

Crew and passengers must comply with U.S. visa requirements. It’s a good idea to carry I-94 immigration entry forms onboard for non-U.S. nationals not covered by the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

• Crew – C1D visas are required for non-U.S. flight crews operating commercial aircraft.
• Passengers – Visa requirements vary based on nationality and the purpose of the trip. If you are from a country covered by the Visa Waiver Program, you may not need a visa but must obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to departure.

APIS Compliance

Your pilot or authorized third party representative must electronically submit Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) data for each individual aboard to CBP or other CBP-approved electronic data interchange system.

Before Departure

Contact your intended AOE and the on-site Customs office to review requirements for international arrivals and Customs’ hours of operations – especially if you haven’t previously cleared Customs at the facility. If you’re departing from one of about 15 CBP Pre-clearance locations, you can speed up the clearance process at your destination by completing pre-clearance prior to departure.

Upon Arrival

Proceed to the Customs ramp or other designated clearance facility at the AOE. Do not open the aircraft door until directed by Customs.

Inspection Fees

Commercial operators (including chartered business aircraft) arriving in the U.S. from abroad are subject to several Federal inspection fees:

• Customs – $5.50 per passenger
• Immigration – $7 per passenger
• Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) – $225 for the aircraft and $3.96 per passenger

Note that these fees are as of February 2017 and could change without notice.

Additional Considerations

If arriving in the U.S. from the south you must land at the CBP-designated AOE nearest to your point of border crossing unless you have a Border Overflight Exemption (BOE).

Compliance with Customs requirements helps ensure an expeditious, hassle-free entry to the U.S. Your Jetex representative can answer any questions or provide any assistance you require for your operations.

Get in touch with us today.

Jetex Dubai
+971 4 2124000
info@jetex.com

Jetex Miami
+1 305 306 4000
itp@jetex.com

Alternatively, read more about other permits and permissions required when flying to the U.S.