Story ID: 
CBP Revises Guidance on Changed APIS Manifests
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: Operators need to retransmit manifests when changes occur
Word Count: 206
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has clarified Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) guidance for outbound international travel, NBAA reported. Under the revised guidance, CBP explains that crews should retransmit manifest data when changes are anticipated such as traveler additions or substitutions, tail number alterations, or time adjustments that exceed a 60-minute window.
Further, NBAA advised, operators should contact the local CBP port to cancel the original clearance and to confirm the updated manifest. Operators should still retransmit manifest data even after CBP business hours but then call to confirm or explain the changes once a port reopens.
The CBP clarified to NBAA that it expects operators to wait 60 minutes before departing unless they receive clearance, the association said, but noted the agency may be able to expedite approval if a flight had already been vetted. However, in cases of emergency necessitating immediate departures, operators should be ready to document the purpose of the flight, such as air medical.
“The industry has long asked for greater standardization among ports. The update will ensure that both sides of the coin—flight crews and customs officers—understand expectations,” said NBAA director of flight operations and regulations Brian Koester.