Flying to the US from Canada opens up a whole new world of flying! It’s a great alternative to a seven hour drive or hassles with commercial airport parking and connecting flights. Pilots are always looking to expand horizons and to learn more - flying to the US is a great experience builder.
Cross-border flights require just two additional steps involving proper flight planning for security and customs clearance. Below is a detailed point-form write-up and steps in sequence to make it easy. Three key things to remember is to (1) file eAPIS, (2) to call customs with your clearance number and confirmation of arrival time (and report any changes to the arrival times), and (3) not get off the plane when you arrive at the customs FBO. Other than the above three steps, it’s your usual find a destination (with customs, ensuring they are open at the time of arrival) study of the weather, the route and submit your flight plan. Just remember to notify any changes to your plane directly to both customs and flight service!
Cross-border flights require just two additional steps involving proper flight planning for security and customs clearance. Below is a detailed point-form write-up and steps in sequence to make it easy. Three key things to remember is to (1) file eAPIS, (2) to call customs with your clearance number and confirmation of arrival time (and report any changes to the arrival times), and (3) not get off the plane when you arrive at the customs FBO. Other than the above three steps, it’s your usual find a destination (with customs, ensuring they are open at the time of arrival) study of the weather, the route and submit your flight plan. Just remember to notify any changes to your plane directly to both customs and flight service!
Disclaimer: This is based on just one return flight from Kingston to Westchester, NY - check with others who have recently flown for their experience, and consult websites for any changes to the procedures that may have occurred since this below write-up.
FAA Website for more details.
Customs and Border Patrol for more details.
Prerequisites
- Have Customs Decal for plane (takes one to two weeks to get) (note userid/pswd)
dtops.cbp.dhs.gov - Have an account with eAPIS for electronic passenger clearance filing (note userid/pswd)eapis.cbp.dhs.gov
- If plane is not yours, have a notarized letter indicating you are authorized to use the plane
- Have all paperwork (ARROWJILI) and passports!
- Internet access (you will get your eAPIS clearance by email (or use FBO’s terminal))
- Not necessary but good to have is AOPA membership (www.aopa.org)
- Not necessary but good to have is CANPASS (takes two weeks to get)
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/canpass/privateair-eng.html - Necessary is a good flight planning tool preferably on a portable device (iPad) with all the maps and airport procedures (I used FlyQ EFB which was is amazing and has everything you need in one place)
Day before departure to USA
- Do your flight planning there
- Study route and do a flight plan: check for MOAs hot/cold status and TFRs
- Print maps for backup (VFR, IFR), print approach plates for backup (IFR)
- Study weather
- See if there's customs on-site and hours (and note phone number)
- See if there's customs for arrival back into Canada (888-226-7277 CAN-PASS)
- Here's a great link to private airports in the US to fly into.
- File eAPIS arrival with your flight planned times (can do this 2 hours prior to departure)
- Get eAPIS confirmation number (I got this in 15-20 min.)
- Call Customs with eAPIS confirmation number (time expected; ensure they are open!)
(Westchester airport customs is open from 7 am to midnight Monday to Saturday, but Kingston customs is open only from 9-5 Monday to Friday so plan accordingly!) - Get badge number, name, rank serial number and ask email confirmation (nicely; but they only gave me the initials when I asked!)
- File your flight plan with Canada 1-888-WX-BRIEF
- Check airplane the day before just so you don’t have any surprises
Day of departure to USA
- Refresher on routes, approach
- Weather briefing
- Depart
- Land and taxi to FBO where customs is located
- Don’t get off of plane and wait for customs (or call customs with your phone)
- They might take you in for paperwork, or just clear you at the plane
After you've done it once, filing eAPIS and other procedures becomes a breeze because you'd have known exactly what to do.
Phone Numbers
Westchester Customs / they are at Jett Systems FBO (but plan to park next door at Million Air after clearing customs)
914-428-7858, 914-428-2342, 973-297-6560
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