U. S. Customs eAPIS Newsletter

[GAHorn]

U.S. Customs and Border Protection sent a newsletter out today. I received FIVE copies of the identical newsletter ...spaced one minute apart.
One of the stated purposes of the newsletter, and I quote: "An important message we want to discuss is APIS data sufficiency." I wrote them back and assured them that FIVE COPIES is plenty of "data sufficiency".

They also are adamant about another thing...: "Partial data, abbreviations, or any other form of incomplete data transmissions are not permitted. Complete APIS data transmissions ensure that CBP has reliable advance data to accurately screen, target, and process all travelers onboard the aircraft."

In case you did not know....(APIS is an abbreviation for Advance Passenger Information System ...and CBP is an abbreviation for U.S. Customs and Border Protection...

....just so everyone understands that the abbreviation rules apparently do not apply to themselves.

And, Oh yes.... "the APIS submission may occur anytime prior, but no later than 60 minutes prior to the aircraft departure....For flights not originally destined to the United States, but diverted to a U.S. port due to an emergency, no later than 30 minutes prior to arrival...."

So....under threat of federal prosecution....( a mere $10k/5-years).... no matter what the nature of your emergency.... do not land prior to the expiration of 30 minutes of prior notification of CBP via the APIS system..... (since there are only two approved methods of transmitting the eAPIS...neither of which are likely available while in flight...you'd better not land in less than 30 minutes from the beginning of your emergency. I"m certain that if the nature of the emergency is terrorist related ...they wil understand your reluctance to land prior to the 30 minute requirment.)

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Thanks George, I will sleep better tonight.

[15A]

Does that mean we don't have to read these anymore?

KTAN 192352Z AUTO 09004KT 10SM OVC080 06/04 A3011 RMK AO2 RAE24 SLP196 P0000 60001 T00610039 10106 20061 58003

I didn't think so!

[bagarre]

At what altitude do you have to fly in order to assure you have a 30 minute cushion?

[blueldr]

George,
As a matter of curiousity, how did you get on their mailng list? I don't know anyone else that received that message out here in California.

[jrenwick]

George,
As a matter of curiousity, how did you get on their mailng list? I don't know anyone else that received that message out here in California.

I got one of these -- I imagine it's because I went to the CBP web site and registered an ID to file to cross the Canadian border. Haven't actually done it though; I just wanted to see how it works.

[Larry Holtz]

I got one. I have recieved several over the past few years. I am registered with eAPIS and use it a few times a year flying to and from Canada.

I didnt see anything really new in this letter except they are apperintley addressing some new onboard electronic equipment that is on the market. I'll just keep doing it the old way.

Larry

[c170b53]

Anyone have a 170 Stealth STC for sale?

[GAHorn]

George,
As a matter of curiousity, how did you get on their mailng list? I don't know anyone else that received that message out here in California.

I imagine I'm on their list because I made a flight last spring to Grand Cayman and used Universal who filed via eAPIS and needed to open an acct in my name.