When you need to clear customs

Rick Gardner, director of CST Flight Services, and CBP program managers Eric Rodriguez and Drew Wescott of the General Aviation Office of Field Operations, will conduct the webinar that’s hosted by FAAST, to educate pilots on best practices, common causes of penalties, and tips to follow when clearing customs. Laura Hermann, volunteer lead from FAAST, will chair the webinar with Gardner. The format is framed as a one-hour discussion and will also touch on topics like the Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS), clarifying permission to land, how to handle itinerary changes, and overflight exemptions, among others.

CBP is actively trying to raise awareness of the requirements among enforcement officers and pilots alike, emphasizing the phrase “reasonable and responsible” on both sides. Officers are being better educated to understand GA and pilots, while pilots are encouraged to prepare for their trips by gathering information early in the planning process in order to improve the experience.

A link to the webinar can be found on FAAST’s website.

Following the webinar, CBP will continue to reach out to pilots throughout the year. AOPA plans to host quarterly webinars with CBP beginning in February, discussing similar issues. In addition, members can look forward to an in-person AOPA seminar with CBP at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in Wisconsin in July.

Here's a link to the session.