By Luke Lysen
On May 18th 2009 the new Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (EAPIS) system became mandatory. This system replaces the old method of faxing in the Customs and Border protection 178 form. I thought I would write up the procedures we have been using and post them here along with a checklist created by one of our clients.
Usability
The good news is that you do not have to struggle to find a fax machine at airports in Canada. The bad news is that you must find an Internet connection and the new process is a bit cumbersome at first, to say the least.
I have now crossed the Canadian border 3 times since the May 18th use of EAPIS came into effect. I have found the process to be no more or less cumbersome than the old system, it’s just new. My hope is that the kinks will get worked out and pilots (like me) will get better at using the system - crossing the border will again feel easy.
Pilots wishing to fly internationally are required to register themselves and their aircraft with US Customs and Border Protection on https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/. Registering on this website takes about an hour and is pretty tedious but not terribly difficult. The process is self-explanatory and you will be able to stumble through it - just have patience and get it over with. As I registered I did have to repeat several steps as I did not fill out the sections exactly as they wanted but that was the biggest hangup.
After you register you will receive an email confirming that you are now able to use the EAPIS system. It only took a matter of hours for this confirmation email to come though the site warned it could take days. You will be given a ‘Sender ID’ and password; keep them somewhere easy to access as it will be very difficult to have these items reissued.
Using The System
After registration, you only need to then complete a manifest for each trip. Be advised: the EAPIS site does not remember information for passengers. This is a bit annoying since each time you need to input the names, address, passport numbers, birthdays and favorite color of each passenger. It’s simple enough if the passengers are right there with their passports but a serious pain if you don’t have all that stuff handy. Make sure you’ve got it before you start filing and life will be easier.
There are three websites that will, for a fee, save your passenger information and save you the trouble of having to input it each time. The three websites are: FltPlan.com, Lobolabs.com, eapistool.com. They all offer other services too so have a look at all three and see which you prefer.
Canadian customs in unchanged. They still require a phone call 2 hours in advance to 888-CAN-PASS to tell them the details about your flight (Time, aircraft, arrival airport, passenger info to include name, birthday, citizenship, passport number). The primary difference is that now we’re also required to use EAPIS to tell US Customs that we are departing the US and receive permission to go.
Coming Home
A phone call to US Customs to alert them of your arrival, while technically not required, has shown to be a good idea. US Customs agents still seem to be getting accustomed to the EAPIS system.
We had a pilot who was flying from Cranbrook B.C. back to Tacoma, Washington narrowly avoid a bad situation. Our pilot used the EAPIS system to file his border crossing, received the confirmation email saying the trip was approved, and departed as usual. While he was in flight a Customs agent called our office to inform us that Customs would not be able to staff the arrival in Tacoma. After some discussion we were able to get them to send an agent as the plane was already airborne and the flight had been approved by Custom’s own system. I can’t say this made my confidence in the system go up.
The Customs process has nothing to do with the ATC system. VFR or IFR flight plans must be filed in addition to the Customs procedures to cross the border but this can be done as usual.
A Little Help
Attached you will find a document that is a good guide to lead a pilot through how to cross the border, what charts to bring, and even a bit about some of the different phraseology used in Canada. COPA member Peter Coad authored this document and put a great deal of time and effort into it. The checklist has been added to, refined, adjusted and used to make border crossings a multitude of times and I find it to be excellent. Peter adds that it's a work in progress so please use it at your own risk - modify it as necessary to fit your needs!
Safe flying
Luke Lysen
The Flight Academy
www.theflightacademy.com 
Posted
8 Jul 2009 10:36
by
John Fiscus