Advance Passenger Information System

Advance Passenger Information System[1] or APIS is an electronic data interchange system established by the 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 which allows small commercial carriers to transmit data to the CBP electronically.[7][8]

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.[9] These countries include

  • Antigua
  • Australia[10]
  • Barbados
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • China
  • Costa Rica
  • Cuba
  • Dominican Republic
  • France
  • Grenada
  • India
  • Ireland
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Maldives
  • Mexico[11]
  • New Zealand
  • Panama
  • Portugal[12]
  • Republic of Korea
  • Russian Federation
  • Saint Lucia
  • Spain (except for Schengen Area passengers)[11]
  • Taiwan[13]
  • Trinidad & Tobago
  • United Kingdom[11]
  • United States

and some more[which?]

The required information consists of:[11][10]

  • 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 travelers to the US] Address of the first night spent in the US (not required for US citizens/nationals, legal permanent residents, or alien residents of the US entering the US)

See also

References

  1. ^ "APIS: Advance Passenger Information System". U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  2. ^ US Customs and Border Protection Archived August 14, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ ICAO Facilitation Section: Advance Passenger Information (API)
  4. ^ FAL-12-WP-15 FACILITATION (FAL) DIVISION — TWELFTH SESSION Cairo, Egypt, 22 March to 2 April 2004 Agenda Item 2 Archived 12 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Travel". Archived from the original on 2012-03-03. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  6. ^ "Reporting Requirements Begin December 18 for Private Aircraft Arriving or Departing United States - CBP.gov". Archived from the original on 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2013-11-12.
  7. ^ eAPIS Archived October 15, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Welcome to eAPIS | Customs and Border Protection".
  9. ^ aircanada.com – Travel Info – Advance Passenger Information
  10. ^ a b Which countries require Advanced Passenger Information? - FAQ (Air France, read 2018-03-09)
  11. ^ a b c d Advance information about passengers (Iberia, read 2018-03-09)
  12. ^ Advanced Information Passenger System (SEF, read 2012-07-11)
  13. ^ A.P.I.(Advanced Passenger Information|ANA