Advanced Passenger Information System
The Advance Passenger Information System[1] (often incorrectly called Advanced Passenger Information System, or APIS) is an electronic data interchange system established by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).[2]
APIS governs the provision of a limited number of data elements (identification details from the passport and basic flight information) from commercial airline and vessel operators to the computer system of the destination state.[3] Required information should conform to specifications for UN/EDIFACT Passenger List Message (PAXLST) formats.[4]
Beginning in May 2009, private aircraft pilots must also provide the necessary information to the CBP.[5] The regulations were put into effect in December 2008 with a 180 day voluntary compliance period.[6]
eAPIS (electronic APIS) is a public website (https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov) which allows small commercial carriers to transmit data to the CBP electronically.[7]
When travelling to or from certain countries, passengers are required to provide advance passenger information (API) before they check in or they will be unable to fly.[8] These countries include
- Antigua
- Australia
- Barbados
- Canada
- China
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Grenada
- India
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Maldives
- Mexico
- Republic of Korea
- Russian Federation
- Saint Lucia
- Spain (except for Schengen zone passengers)
- Trinidad & Tobago
- United Kingdom
- United States
The required information consists of:[citation needed]
- Full name (last name, first name, middle name if applicable)
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Country of residence
- Travel document type (normally passport)
- Travel document number (expiry date and country of issue for passport)
- [For US travellers] Address of the first night spent in the US (not required for US nationals, legal permanent residents, or alien residents of the US entering the US)
See also
References
- ^ Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) – US Customs and Border Protection
- ^ US Customs and Border Protection
- ^ ICAO Facilitation Section: Advance Passenger Information (API)
- ^ FAL-12-WP-15 FACILITATION (FAL) DIVISION — TWELFTH SESSION Cairo, Egypt, 22 March to 2 April 2004 Agenda Item 2
- ^ http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/private_flyers/
- ^ http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/apis/private_aircraft.xml
- ^ eAPIS
- ^ aircanada.com – Travel Info – Advance Passenger Information
External links
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Travel / For Travel Industry Personnel / APIS: Advance Passenger Information System
- British Airways, Advance Passenger Information.
- eAPIS Online Transmission System (at cbp.gov)
- eAPIS UN/EDIFACT Implementation Guide (Specification – pdf)
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