International border crossing is a process like any other. Once you know the steps and have a handle on the procedure it'll be just like any other. In this post, I'll discuss some of the things that are important to know before you go, some tips on what to do and what to expect, and a general overview of what will happen when clearing Customs both in Canada and in the US.
Remember: If you're still nervous, go for a test run with a CFI who has done this kind of thing before. Just make sure you don't let the CFI do things for you, they should explain it and let you do it. As a company, The Flight Academy performs this service regularly so feel free to give us a call too.
Basics:
-Customs likes to have 2 hours advance notice at least. It is possible for you to get a shorter time if you ask nicely and they feel like being good to you.
-You get a 15 minute arrival window on either side of your ETA. If you’re en route and will be late, call FSS and ask them to help (“Please advise customs that we will be 20 minutes late, new ETA of xxxx Local, xxxx Zulu.”) If you’re going to be more than 15 minutes early, slow down and waste some time. It is not illegal to do a few leisurely turns.
-You must be on a flight plan for border crossing. Call FSS, tell them you want to file a VFR/IFR flight plan for border crossing. If you’re VFR, you must open the flight plan in the air at which time the FSS person will give you a border crossing code. Squawk this code when you’re closing in on the border. Advise ATC that you were given a squawk code of XXXX for border crossing, they’ll advise when to change to that (if you’re on flight following). If you aren’t talking to any ATC, just squawk the code.
If you’re IFR, it’s more like a traditional IFR flight. Much simpler (but still advise FSS/Customs if you’re going to be late).
-Before you leave the US, obtain the direct dial line to US customs at your airport of intended return. Google is wise in this manner (Boeing customs is 206 553-0667 for anybody who might like it). You’ll need to talk to them directly when you’re ready to come back. At satellite airports (like Boeing), you might be redirected to a larger nearby airport (like SeaTac) on the weekends. They ship customs agents back and forth as needed when it isn’t busy.
-Passports ARE NOW REQUIRED if you go by air. The Canadians don’t care, it’s the US who will give you trouble. If you do not have a passport and attempt to enter the US by air, you can be rejected and sent back to Canada or held for however long they want to make you sweat. A birth certificate and govt. ID is fine for going by car or ferry, but NOT by air. They make no exceptions. Incidentally, passports will be required by all ports and methods of transit in January ‘09.
Getting in to Canada is ridiculously easy; here’s how:
Procedures to Canada:
Prior to Departure for Canada
Call 888 CAN PASS
*Plan this process to take 10+ minutes with hold time*
Tell the person who answers that you’d like to arrange customs for a small aircraft at X airport in X province. They’ll transfer you to the local office.
Tell the person who answers at the local office you’d like to arrange customs for a small aircraft arriving into X airport today (or tomorrow, etc).
They will want to know the full names and birthdates of all people on board. They will also want to know the nationality and ETA.
That’s it!
Arriving in Canada
Upon landing, tell ground that you need to taxi to the customs area. Some airports do not have a customs “box” while others do. Boxes will vary in color and shape so you might have to play this one by ear but it isn’t tough. Coloring for the box outline is often blue.
Shut down and call 888 CAN PASS on your cell phone. Keep an eye out for the customs agent who might be coming over (but likely is not). If your cell doesn’t work and you simply can’t reach anyone, look around for a payphone nearby and use that. Keep a pen and paper handy.
Tell the CANPASS operator that you’d like to report down for customs clearance. They will ask you where you are, your tail number, and any pertinent questions. They will then give you a code which starts with the year and follows with seven digits. This is your proof that you cleared customs.
-All done!-
Alternately, you might get to see a customs agent. They’re normally pretty nice and will ask what you’re in for, how long you’ll be, did you bring anything sketchy (guns, drugs, massive amounts of cash, fruit etc), and anything else they feel like. Answer their questions in as few words as you can but BE POLITE. A good mood helps, even when your customs agent is a little grumpy.
It is HIGHLY unlikely that you’ll get attitude but it can happen. I got yelled at once for keeping my sunglasses on… no idea, I guess it made me look shifty. Anyway, just be professional and polite and don’t lose your cool. They might be trying to destabilize you and make you nervous but remember: you didn’t do anything wrong and thus ultimately you’ll be left alone. In my case, sweet revenge came from the Canadian standing nearby who heard my grilling and then came over as the customs dude was walking away to say (loudly), “On behalf of all Canadians, I’d like to apologize for that representation of our country. We’re normally quite nice.”
Procedures for departing to the US:
Prior to departure:
-Fill out form 178 completely (attached). If you don’t have a customs sticker yet, that’s fine. You can buy one when you get to the US.
-Aircraft owner/lessee is whatever/whoever owns the aircraft. As most of us have an LLC owning the plane, that's what goes here.
-Call customs at your airport of arrival. Get their fax number and then fax them the form. Alternately, have somebody standing by in the US to fill in the form and then fax it for you (communicate with them on the phone to fill in boxes).
-VERIFY THE FAX! This is important. Make sure your fax made it through by calling customs about 5 minutes after you send it.
-File a flight plan with NavCanada 866 WXBRIEF You can find direct dial lines to their various FSS here if you want: http://www.navcanada.ca/NavCanada.asp?Language=EN&Content=ContentDefinitionFiles%5CcontactUs%5CDefault.xml
Put ADCUS in the remarks section.
Arriving in the US:
-Depart as normal and make sure you’ve activated your flight plan if VFR. Many towers will do this for you (they normally don't in the US) or you can call an FSS.
-Make contact with US ATC or get Flight Following with Canadian ATC to make it easy. They’ll advise you of a good frequency if you can’t find one otherwise (the nearest group on the Garmin, ARTCC page is handy in this instance). In any case, make sure you’re talking with ATC as you pass the border.
-Again, advise customs if you’re going to be late. Do this through FSS.
-Upon landing, taxi to the customs area. Ground control can give you a progressive. Taxi into the area for customs and shut down. You can open the doors but DO NOT leave the vicinity of your aircraft. If you can’t touch the plane, you’re too far away from it. I normally just hang out in the plane and wait or just stand at the wing root and stretch.
-Wait for a customs agent to come over. If you don’t see anybody after about 5 minutes, call the number for that customs office and check in with them to see if they just want you to come inside. This is rare but it has happened to me a couple of times. Most often they do not want you leaving your aircraft for any reason.
-Give the agent your 178 Form and have all passports ready. They might ask a couple of questions but most of the time are quite pleasant. They might wand the aircraft with a Geiger counter, they might ask you to take your stuff out so they can have a look… but this is rather rare. KEEP COOL. They are just doing their jobs at the moment but if you give them any reason to be jerks, they’ll oblige to the tune of a 2 hour inspection. I’ve never had this happen to me but I know of several distinct instances where it did.
-Done!-
Welcome back to the US!
Safe flying everybody,
John Fiscus
Chief Pilot, The Flight Academy
www.theflightacademy.com 
Posted
29 Oct 2008 9:05
by
John Fiscus