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Advance Passenger Information System

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The Advance Passenger Information System[1] or APIS (often incorrectly called Advanced Passenger Information System) 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
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Maldives
  • Mexico
  • Republic of Korea
  • Russian Federation
  • Saint Lucia
  • Spain (except for Schengen zone passengers)
  • Taiwan[9]
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • Turkey[10]
  • 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