Cross Border Flying – A comprehensive breakdown.
The following are all of the resources, links, phone numbers, my check lists, as well as detailed notes and other pertinent info as a companion to my Cross Border Flying vlog (link to watch above).
I’ll update / edit this as needed!.
Happy international general aviation flying!
Important Links & Telephone Numbers
U.S. Customs Decal: https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/home
eAPIS: https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/eapis/auth
CBSA / CanPass: 1-888-CanPass (1-888-226-7277), and/or 1-905-679-2073
Canadian Airports of Entry: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/do-rb/services/aoecan-eng.html
Optional:
Register for CanPass: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/canpass/privateair-eng.html
I obviously highly recommend FlashPass. Use the code:
chops90
for an extended 90 day trial:
Available at the iOS App Store or a manual install for Android.
Regarding the NAV Canada ATC Fee for N-Registered (USA) aircraft: Foreign aircraft are charged a $20 flat fee per quarter (as defined by NavCanada, not every 90 days) regardless of the number of times you enter/exit Canada. Full details can be found in this PDF from NavCanada. Note:
Northern Border (USA/Canada)
With regard to the Northern border, in either case of arrival to U.S. or Canada, you can plan to fly as “deep” into the country as you want to clear customs… BUT you need to understand that diverting would be problematic. To avoid stress, I have planned to clear reasonably close to the border so that I am free to modify my route as I head to my final destination.
Southern Border (USA/Mexico/Caribbean/South America)
Normally you are supposed to clear USA customs at the nearest airport of entry (AOE) in the USA if flying over the Northern Border. However, you can get an exemption:
Overflight Exemption Process – Simplified:
A border overflight exemption allows general aviation aircraft to overfly the first designated Airport of Entry (AOE) when arriving into the U.S. from below the 30th parallel in the eastern U.S., and below the 33rd parallel in the western U.S. This covers all flights from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America, and French Polynesia. More details on how to apply for this exemption can be found from APOA – Overflight Exemption Process- Simplified.
Don’t Have Your DTOPS Sticker Yet?
As long as you can provide the CBP officer proof of purchase you should be ok. Be sure to show them a print-out of DTOPS order.
TIP: As a place-holder type the following number in Flashpass (Aircraft Section/Decal): yy000000 (where “yy” is the last two digits of the current year, followed by six zeros). Make sure you type the correct decal number when available.
TIP: Your new decal number can be found on your DTOPS account a few weeks after purchase.
Departure Manifest
The reason for the Departure Report is that the CBP reserves the right to inspect your aircraft before you leave the country. This manifest must be filed at least 60 minutes prior to departure. You can, however, depart from any airport in the United States. It does not have to be an AOE or offer CBP services (even a remote/grass airstrip).
To file a Departure Manifest in FlashPass from a non-CBP airport:
- Open Flashpass on iPhone
- Select More
- Select Useful Links
- Select Departing a NON CBP Airport.
Flight Plans
Open and activate a flight plan (VFR or IFR) as it is is required for all border crossings. When flying VFR it is a good idea to get a squawk code before crossing from ATC or a FSS. For example. When crossing from from Mexico to the US, I call SAN ANGELO RADIO:
“San Angelo Radio, this is N94GL on a VFR flight plan from MMAN to KMFE requesting a SQUAWK code for border crossing”.
“N94GL squawk 1201 before crossing the border and close flight plan on arrival.” Getting a discrete squawk code for crossing the border is not required when flying IFR (as you will probably already be assigned one).
Airport Fact Sheets
The CBP website has got a lot better over the years they are slowly adding all the GA fact sheets online. These fact sheets contain information such as the correct number to call for landing rights, hours of operation, etc..
More Information On Crossing The Northern Border
Check out the Pilot Nerds episode: Transborder Crossing in GA Aircraft. You can also read Blake’s blog post: How To Fly to the USA from Canada.
Dedication
This video is dedicated to Arturo Jr.
His story was shared by the Air Safety Institute
Flight Chops Border Crossing Check Lists
Both the arrival and departure checklists are available as a PDF. Feel free to copy/paste them into your own checklist or print off as is.
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A note from anther pilot friend Jim, who flys cross border a lot:
I carry a package that is similar to what you would have. If you’re driving your car. Police officer pulls you over and asks for three things: drivers license, registration, and insurance. The only difference with aircraft is there’s three licenses involved, but it’s the same concept and by having it in a folder I just leave the copies in the aircraft. It’s labeled trans-border documents. I kept a copy of my CANPASS receipt in there as well.
I noticed you mentioned the flyover permission in your processes list. This is excellent because your US viewers should know that that’s available and they also changed the process of how you apply for one. You used to be able to get your local CBP agent to accept your letter of interest and process your permission letter, however, that whole process has changed now and it goes through official channels. Nonetheless, it saves a lot of hassle. If you have the range to make it to your home airport when approaching the border from the south.
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