| When | Description |
| 5 Days before | Get an eAPIS Account at https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/
The eAPIS site says this can take up to five days to process. When I did it, I received the response
within 5 minutes so your results may be anywhere in between.
|
| 1 Day before |
File eAPIS Notice of Arrival
With your new eAPIS account, file the notice of arrival for your
first US airport. Some destinations allow this to be done as little
as 1 hour prior to departure from Canada.
|
| Day of Departure |
Call customs officer for notice of arrival / landing rights
... at the airport of arrival.
Some require as little as 1 hour notice prior to arrival, others
up to 24 hours.
| Customs Office Numbers |
| Anacortes | (360) 293-2331 |
| Bellingham | (360) 734-5463 |
| Boeing Field | (206) 901-3200 |
| Friday Harbor | (360) 378-2080 |
| Jefferson County | (360) 385-3777 |
| Paine Field | (425) 259-0246 |
|
| Before Takeoff |
File Canadian Flight Plan
do NOT use the "advise customs" option.
Flight Plan Form
|
| In Flight | Establish contact with control tower as normal. |
| After Landing |
Taxi to Customs and Shut Down
*** Do not get out or even open the door ***
Customs will not be happy if you are more than 5 minutes early or 15 minutes late.
It is better to be late than early. Have documents ready.
|
| After Customs |
Close Flight Plan (VFR Only)
| FSS Related Numbers |
| Pre-Flight Services | (888) 987-2633 | |
| Seattle FSS | (206) 767-2726 | 122.5 Mhz |
|
Welcome to the USA  |
| |
|
| When | Description |
| 5 Days before | Get an eAPIS Account at https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/ if you don't already have one.
The eAPIS site says this can take up to five days to process. When I did it, I received the response
within 5 minutes so your results may be anywhere in between.
|
| 1 Day before |
File eAPIS Notice of Departure
With your new eAPIS account, file the notice of departure for your
last US airport. Some destinations allow this to be done as little
as 1 hour prior to departure from Canada.
You can actually do this before departing from Canada. If you grossly misjudge
your departure time, you will have to file a new notice of departure. (+- 15 Min for border crossing.)
|
| Day of Departure |
Call 1-888-CANPASS at least 2 hours before arrival
but no more than 48 hours before arriving in Canada.
If 1-888 service is not available, call using normal business number.
TRC Victoria: (250) 363-0222
File US Flight Plan
by calling 1-800 WX BRIEF.
Flight Plan Form
|
| Before Takeoff |
Activate Flight Plan
by calling nearest FSS either by phone or radio and saying:"Activate Flight Plan".
|
| In Flight |
Establish contact with control tower as normal.
Keep transponder on 1200 or as assigned by ATC.
|
| After Landing |
Taxi to Customs (Shell Aerocenter) and Shut Down
*** Do not get out or even open the door ***
Customs will not be happy if you are more than 5 minutes early or 15 minutes late.
It is better to be late than early. Have documents ready.
Call the customs number and let them know you have arrived if the agents do not greet you.
|
| After Customs |
Close Flight Plan (VFR Only)
| Important Numbers |
| Customs Services | (888) CANPASS
(888) 226-7277 |
Telephone Reporting
Center - Victoria | (250) 363-0222 |
|
Welcome to Canada  |
| |
|
Checklist