AIM

4/3/14

5−1−29

Preflight

1.

When customs notification is required on

flights to Canada and Mexico and a predeparture

flight plan cannot be filed or an advise customs

message (ADCUS) cannot be included in a

predeparture flight plan, call the nearest en route

domestic or International FSS as soon as radio

communication can be established and file a VFR or

DVFR flight plan, as required, and include as the last

item the advise customs information. The station with

which such a flight plan is filed will forward it to the

appropriate FSS who will notify the customs office

responsible for the destination airport.

2.

If the pilot fails to include ADCUS in the

radioed flight plan, it will be assumed that other

arrangements have been made and FAA will not

advise customs.

3.

The FAA assumes no responsibility for any

delays in advising customs if the flight plan is given

too late for delivery to customs before arrival of the

aircraft. It is still the pilot’s responsibility to give
timely notice even though a flight plan is given to
FAA

.

4.

Air Commerce Regulations of the Treasury

Department’s Customs Service require all private

aircraft arriving in the U.S. via:

(a)

The U.S./Mexican border or the Pacific

Coast from a foreign place in the Western

Hemisphere south of 33 degrees north latitude and

between 97 degrees and 120 degrees west longitude;

or

(b)

The Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Coasts

from a foreign place in the Western Hemisphere south

of 30 degrees north latitude, must furnish a notice of

arrival to the Customs service at the nearest

designated airport. This notice may be furnished

directly to Customs by:

(1)

Radio through the appropriate FAA

Flight Service Station.

(2)

Normal FAA flight plan notification

procedures (a flight plan filed in Mexico does not

meet this requirement due to unreliable relay of data);

or

(3)

Directly to the district Director of

Customs or other Customs officer at place of first

intended landing but must be furnished at least 1 hour

prior to crossing the U.S./Mexican border or the U.S.

coastline.

(c)

This notice will be valid as long as actual

arrival is within 15 minutes of the original ETA,

otherwise a new notice must be given to Customs.

Notices will be accepted up to 23 hours in advance.

Unless an exemption has been granted by Customs,

private aircraft are required to make first landing in

the U.S. at one of the following designated airports

nearest to the point of border of coastline crossing:

Designated Airports

ARIZONA
Bisbee Douglas Intl Airport
Douglas Municipal Airport
Nogales Intl Airport
Tucson Intl Airport
Yuma MCAS−Yuma Intl Airport

CALIFORNIA
Calexico Intl Airport
Brown Field Municipal Airport (San Diego)

FLORIDA
Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport
Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood Intl Airport
Key West Intl Airport (Miami Intl Airport)
Opa Locka Airport (Miami)
Kendall−Tamiami Executive Airport (Miami)
St. Lucie County Intl Airport (Fort Pierce)
Tampa Intl Airport
Palm Beach Intl Airport (West Palm Beach)

LOUISANA
New Orleans Intl Airport (Moisant Field)
New Orleans Lakefront Airport

NEW MEXICO
Las Cruces Intl Airport

NORTH CAROLINA
New Hanover Intl Airport (Wilmington)

TEXAS
Brownsville/South Padre Island Intl Airport
Corpus Christi Intl Airport
Del Rio Intl Airport
Eagle Pass Municipal Airport
El Paso Intl Airport
William P. Hobby Airport (Houston)
Laredo Intl Airport
McAllen Miller Intl Airport
Presidio Lely Intl Airport