Customs and Border Information

In order to fly your own airplane (or boat I suppose) into the Bahamas, you need to file an eAPIS both for your outgoing leg and incoming leg. You’ll also need to leave from an airport that is a point of entry (meaning it has a customs office). The eAPIS is going to require you have a CBP number which is a customs sticker for your vessel. So first things first, lets get that sticker ordered. You can do that here: https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov/home

DTOPS steps:

  • Create an account and sign in
  • On the upper left you’ll have a dropdown menu for purchasing accounts. You’ll need to setup a new purchasing account:
  • After setting up the purchasing account, you can click on, “My Purchasing Accounts,” and then click on the account. It will take you to the shopping page:
  • Select the option that works for you (You can see I used Private Aircraft), but there are also options for boats and vehicles. Select purchase and it will take you to your cart. That’s it. Finish the purchase and your sticker will be in the mail.
  • After you purchase the sticker, you’ll receive an email confirmation. You will need this for your eAPIS filing. You can go abroad without the sticker as long as you have a receipt showing you applied for the sticker. I’m not sure how long you have to put the sticker on but I’m sure they will hassle you if you’re at six months and still trying to show a receipt. My sticker came in the mail in about a week.

Time to file your eAPIS. This is used for both exit and entry! You will have to file this and make sure it’s accepted before departing. This is your permission to leave our airspace and return to our airspace. Head over to eAPIS and create an account:

https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/eapis/auth

Once your account is created you’ll have some options. If you’re going to be going back and forth to the Bahama’s, there is an app that streamlines the entire paperwork process. You have to pay a year fee for it but it’s free for 30 days to try. I don’t endorse this app, but thought I’d mention it as I know lots of frequent fliers use it:
https://www.flashpass.net

Here is the process without using flashpass. This is how I did it:

First thing you need to do is create your crew and pilot info. For aircraft, for obvious reasons, it requires a pilot. Then you can enter crew members to save. Once you fill that out you’re ready to file a Notice of Departure. If you already know when you’re coming back, it is recommended that you file the Notice of Arrival at the same time.

Here’s what this looks like:

Let’s walk through some of this:

  • Aircraft Tail NUMBER: This field actually ties in with your CPB sticker. The website is buggy
  • CPB Airport – Like I mentioned earlier, this is a port of entry airport. Meaning, it has a customs office. You have to leave from an international airport. You can click on the underlined CBP Airport link and it will bring up a list of all US airports that you can leave from. They are all over the country. Select your airport
  • Fill in the rest of the required departure fields of when you’re leaving and the time.
  • Foreign Arrival Information just tells Customs and Border Patrol where you’re headed! You MUST fly in to a port of entry in the country you’re going to. Not all airports have this so make sure you arrive at an airport that does. For a list of airports in the Bahama’s that are ports of entry, go here:
    Bahamas Guide
  • Next, fill in your emergency contact info (this must be someone not traveling with you!
  • Lastly, fill in the traveler count. This is crew (which includes the pilot), and passengers. When I flew into the Bahama’s the first time, my dad was with me and I included him as a crew member.
  • Hit next and submit.
  • Cruising Permit Time! It’s a form that allows you to fly around the islands after you’ve checked in with the Bahama’s customs. Make sure you have three copies of this form! You can find this form here:
    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ustx2DiMCFhvI1bSSMFu_07o8l8ACZPo/view
  • You also need an aircraft general declaration form. You can fill this out when you land or bring it with you:
    https://flttrack.fltplan.com/eAPIS/BahamasCharterAircraft_Form.pdf
  • Now you’re ready to go. Make sure to take a quick peek at my checklist:
    Kay’s Bahamas Checklist

IMPORTANT RETURN INFORMATION:

  • You must exit the Bahamas from a customs airport and have customs/immigration process your exit
  • YOU MUST FILE AN eAPIS, “Notice of Arrival,” to come back to the U.S and you must enter at an airport that has immigration/customs.
  • When you land, proceed directly to the immigration/customs office for processing.
  • Bring all your luggage from your airplane in with you as they will scan it.
  • Welcome home!

Back to the Bahama’s Guide:
Bahamas Guide