Customs “Quick Start” Guide

Going from the lower 48 to Canada

  • Check current Canadian Airport Of Entry (Link: AOE/15) list to insure where you want to clear Canadian customs is in fact open.  Review NOTAMS, A/FD and/or CFS for the particular airport.
  • Fill out U.S. eApis.  Insure you have confirmation return email that you’re “Ok to leave the U.S.”
  • Fill out and file Flight Plan.  Remember, if you file a flight plan with a U.S. source, you have to then (once in the air) activate the flight plan.  If you file a flight plan with a Canadian source it is active as soon as filed!  NOTE: No flight plan required if clearing at one of the “on the border” fields (e.g. Coutts CEP4 (Ross)–NOTE: Reported rough for small-tire planes, Whetstone CEQ4 (Del Bonita), Porthill 1S1
  • Call Canadian Customs 1-888-226-7277 at least two hours prior to your anticipated arrival.  NOTE: if you want to clear customs right when they open, e.g. 9am at Whetstone, you will have to call the day prior.  More information on Canadian Telephone Reporting for GA aircraft–link here
  • Call U.S. Flight Service to get a unique, sometimes referred to as a discrete, cross-border transponder code.  They may tell you to contact them via radio once airborne.  Tell them this doesn’t work for flights at lower altitudes (no reception) or for short flights to the border.  So insist they get you a pre-approved code on the phone.  NOTE: Same as per flight plan…not required if landing/clearing at one of the on-the-border sites Ross, Whetstone, Porthill, Coutts, …
  • There is some debate whether a discrete transponder code is required since the Canadian border isn’t an ADIZ.  AIM page 5-6-5, paragraph 2, (link to AIM or image of page) says “..ATC assigned transponder code;”–you can decide.  My opinion is I don’t want to be a “test case” for whether a discrete (vs 1200) transponder code is required. It is simple to call on the phone ahead of time, or if cell coverage is available in the air, call while flying, and get a unique, discrete, border-crossing code. Simpler still, when able, to cross the border at a true border strip (e.g. Whetstone, Porthill, Coutts, …) where neither a flight plan nor transponder are required.
  • If you are clearing Canadian Customs at one of the “on the border” locations, e.g. Whetstone CEQ4, you do not need a flight plan nor do you need a transponder code
  • If you plan to bring a firearm with you into Canada, please read the “RCMP Firearms Information” section on the Canada page & fill out the appropriate form(s)
  • Though the ArriveCAN app remains available for download, one does NOT need to fill out/use the app to cross the border.  More information here: (link here) Scroll down to the “Quick Facts” section re no longer needing the ArriveCAN app.
  • NOTE: When you land, there may not be a Canadian customs officer there to meet you.  In such case, you have to call 888-226-7277.  You call may or may not be answered quickly; I’ve had to wait on hold as long as an hour!
  • Here is an image of the page in the Canada Flight Supplement regarding Canadian Customs (if you want to read further–points already covered above) link here
  • General Canada Border Services Agency page (no need to read thru all this unless you are bored or have some additional question) link

Going from Canada into Alaska

  • Check for specific requirements re your desired customs point at the CBP port of entry site: https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports
    • Note: There is a seasonal spot to clear at Poker Creek: Info here (toward bottom of page).  Airport identifer is BYA Boundary, Alaska

  • Just in: Northway customs NOT clearing any aircraft indefinitely “…due to staffing issues.”

    • Apparently, occasionally, for random (?) reasons, a few folks have been cleared at Northway, but don’t count on it.
    • Have to go to Anchorage or Fairbanks; Possible to get permission to fuel in Tok.
    • Suggest clearing in Skagway then either filing a flight plan for Canada overflight to Tok, or head up the coast…several options after Skagway, weather permitting of course
  • Northway PAOR information:
    • Again, see above regarding staffing issues…
    • New Northway 2024 hours: Brian S (thank you!) alerted me to an AOPA article regarding new staffing hours for Northway.  Here is a link to the article.  Here is the key text within the article: “Northway Airport is a landing rights airport.  Arrivals can be scheduled between 10:00AM – 2:00PM Alaska time, 7 days a week by contacting the Alcan Port of Entry at 907-774-2242/2252 and scheduling with a CBP Officer.  Pilots should contact the Alcan Port of Entry by phone between 7:30AM and 9:00AM Alaska Time on the day of arrival to schedule an inspection between the hours of 10:00AM and 2:00PM. “
    • Northway airport & customs info page (link here)–note: This link hasn’t been updated with the 2024 hours (yet)
    • Customs at Northway monitors CTAF, but not 122.4 FSS frequency at Northway.
    • In 2023 I heard reports of pilots having trouble getting staff to show up at appointed times.  Also, Fairbanks customs only open between 8 & 4 Alaska time.  However, report May 2023 said Fairbanks custom’s staff member was willing to wait past duty hours for flight delayed by headwinds/weather–call via cell phone or thru FSS to coordinate if you are going to be delayed!
    • –IF– directed to fly to ANC to clear, you can avoid lengthy holding patterns (30+ min reported) and frustrating sequencing into the ANC International airport by instead land at Lake Hood strip (gravel)  and taxi to the North Terminal gate N1 via taxiway Victor.  Here is an image that details frequencies and the taxi process: link here  The frequency to open the gates on Lakeshore drive is 121.75.  Note that transient parking ($10/day) is shown here as well.  This is super-convenient if you’re picking up someone flying into Anchorage via commercial airline/charter.
    • Also, remember that there is a two hour time difference between the Yukon and Alaska in the winter; One hour time difference in the summer during daylight savings time.
  • Fill out eApis and insure you receive confirmation return email
  • Call the appropriate U.S. border station location at least 2 hours prior to your anticipated arrival
    • Tip: Border agents particularly appreciate if you have flexibility regarding your desired clearing time.  For instance, Juneau agents have to clear cruise ship passengers early am.  If you can be flexible, they will be in a much better mood!
  • No flight plan nor border crossing transponder code required going into Alaska
  • Make sure all your airplane and pilot paperwork is current and available (e.g. Airworthiness Cert, Aircraft registration, pilot license, pilot medical)

Going from Alaska back into Canada

  • Check current Canadian Airport Of Entry (AOE/15) list to insure where you want to clear Canadian customs is in fact open
  • Fill out U.S. eApis.  Insure you have confirmation return email that you’re “Ok to leave the U.S.”
  • Fill out and file Flight Plan.  Yes, though you don’t need a flight plan going from Canada into Alaska you DO need a flight plan going back into Canada
  • Call Canadian Customs 1-888-226-7277 at least two hours prior to your anticipated arrival.
  •   More information on Canadian Telephone Reporting for GA aircraft–link here
  • No border crossing transponder code required
  • If you plan to bring a firearm with you into Canada, please read the “RCMP Firearms Information” section on the Canada page & fill out the appropriate form(s)
  • No need to fill out the ArriveCAN app.  More information here: (link here)  Scroll down to the “Quick Facts” section.
  • NOTE: When you land, there may not be a Canadian customs officer there to meet you.  In such case, you have to call 888-226-7277.  You call may or may not be answered quickly; I’ve had to wait on hold as long as an hour!
  • Here is an image of the page in the Canada Flight Supplement regarding Canadian Customs (if you want to read further–points already covered above) link here

Going from Canada back into the Lower 48

  • Check for specific requirements re your desired customs point at the CBP port of entry site: https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports
  • Fill out eApis and insure you receive confirmation return email
  • Call the appropriate U.S. border station location at least 2 hours prior to your anticipated arrival
  • File a flight plan (remember to activate it once in the air)
  • Call flight service and get a border crossing transponder code.  See above comments if they tell you to contact via radio.
  • Make sure all your airplane and pilot paperwork is current and available (e.g. Airworthiness Cert, Aircraft registration, pilot license, pilot medical)
  • If you are clearing U.S. Customs at one of the “on the border” locations, e.g. Whetstone H28, you do not need a flight plan nor do you need a transponder code

Canada Overflight

No eApis is required.  However, an “overflight flight plan” is MANDATORY.  Please see more info on this site’s Canada page.

Canadian Border Personal Updates

See comments at bottom of this page.  Key take away: The customs officer meeting you apparently has wide discretion to approve/disapprove your trip.

eAPIS Information

Suggest you start here: eAPIS Guidelines link.  AOPA also has a YouTube intro video (link).

Frequently asked eAPIS Questions: link

Login / enrollment eAPIS page (link)

FlashPass: A 3rd party app (iOs App Store and Android versions), tailored to making the eAPIS faster, easier and more seamless.  Free trial available for 30 days.  Link to their website here.

AOPA Air Safety Institute has a YouTube video called “Understanding eAPIS” link

CBP “Private Fliers Guide”…an 89 page document covering everything under the sun.  Good bedtime reading. link here

Transponder Required

While approaching and crossing the North American ADIZ, aircraft must have an operational radar transponder and maintain two-way radio contact. (see 14 CFR 99.9 & 99.13) [Link to PDF summarizing requirements].  However, a waiver is available if you don’t have a transponder.  Here is information on the waiver and a link to the waiver application site.

Here is the relevant information from the waiver information site: “International waivers authorize aircraft operators to operate to/from, within and over the airspace of the United States and its territorial possessions. [No transponder waivers] authorize visual flight rules operations to/from and within the airspace of the United States without an operating encoding transponder.”

To get a transponder code, one must contact the appropriate regional  Flight Service station.  Rarely will Canadian flight service call the U.S. on  your behalf.  When crossing from Canada into the continental U.S. it is sometimes difficult to get a hold of Flight Service, particularly if you are not up high enough for distant radio reception.  This is typically the case in the sparsely populated West (e.g. approaching Montana) and over the mountains.  An alternative is to try to call Flight Service via 800-992-7433.  Do NOT cross the border without your unique border-crossing transponder code!!  Circle N of the border if you have to while attempting to get a hold of flight service.

Customs Phone Numbers

Northway, Alaska 907-774-2242/2252 ( 1800Z – 0000Z daily)

Skagway 907-983-2325  Here is an image of where to taxi/park for customs at Skagway

Rykerts (Porthill):  250-428-2575

Del Bonita (Whetstone): U.S. phone 406-336-2130; Canadian phone: 403-653-2597

I’ll continue to add numbers here…

Misc Information

Canadian & U.S. Customs (AOPA) link

U.S. Customs User Fee Decal info (req’d annually) link

Overview: Entering, Exiting and Flying in U.S. Airspace link

Special Flight Authorization form for U.S. & Canadian experimental aircraft link

Airports of Entry

These are the only airports which allow you to land and clear customs.

U.S. Airports of Entry (all) link

Helpful tip by another person recently transiting from Canada to the lower 48: “There are a few airports in US that allow clearing customs 24/7 but most have limited hours when they are staffed. So basically you have to give them your (at least 2 hours advance) notice while they are staffed. Cut Bank MT and Great Falls MT are like this. For me, I’m clearing at CTB on a Sunday night. I would have to call their number on Friday before 4pm to give notice which is obviously difficult to anticipate. Instead, you can call Sweetgrass MT [hwy station–not an airport] (open 24/7) and give your notice to them, who will then tell the folks at Cut Bank.” [Actually it is an agent from Sweetgrass who drives down to Cut Bank].

Airports of Entry (Alaska) link

Always check the Facilities Directory or your pilot App, e.g. ForeFlight for AOE status.

Canada Airports Of Entry (AOE)

Canada Airport of Entry Information

Double check AOE status in Canadian Flight Supplement!

You can only clear customs at one of these airports.

Canada Large airports AOE link

Less than 15 passengers AOE/15 link

Airports of entry which only CANPASS members may use: link

CANPASS Private Aircraft Program

EAA recently had a short article update on CANPASS for Private Aircraft (link here).  Please note: I regularly see posts where folks talk about CANPASS as if it is the same as Canadian Customs in general.  CANPASS is a unique, special entry program, much like the “Clear” or “TSA Pre” programs are in the United States.  One must specifically apply for CANPASS membership!

Pilot & ALL passengers must be members of CANPASS to use this program link.  The main benefit (minor) of this program is that it opens up the use of a few more Canadian Airports Of Entry to members.

Check the CFS whether customs is available or not at your proposed first Canadian stop.  For instance, Creston CAJ3 says “Customs–Yes” on the ForeFlight info page, yet it is only available there for CANPASS members.

Milk River (SE of Lethbridge), identifier CFQ3 does not list customs as available in the ForeFlight info tab, but Milk River is available for customs for CANPASS members.  Once again, it pays to do some homework in the CFS (Canadian Flight Supplement) when flight planning for customs.

Land At The Border

Numerous locations exist where you can, in effect, land on the border.  Whetstone International just North of Cut Bank Montana is one such location.  If you land at H28 you are in the U.S.; CEQ4 you are in Canada–same single long grass runway.

For example, here are two such locations.  Easy to do.  I’ve cleared at both of these spots on various trips.

Whetstone International H28/CEQ4

Let’s say you are travelling North.  For instance, land at Cut Bank (KCTB), fuel up(self-serve), file eAPIS and call Canadian Customs (1-888-226-7277) giving them your information & the required 2 hours advance notice of arrival (Whetstone International Airport aka Del Bonita).  By landing at H28, it is a local, U.S. only, flight.

Key point: Since you are landing in the U.S. no cross-border flight plan nor transponder code is required.  When you land, you taxi to the far West end.  Since you are travelling North, you park facing the Canadian customs building.  In a short while, Canadian customs officer(s) will approach and go thru their procedures.

Note: Park facing North or the Canadian officials might not come out–thinking you are clearing U.S. Customs instead.  If you don’t see the Canadian officials in a few minutes, call the above 888 #.

Whetstone is a grass runway.  Each time I landed the grass was relatively long–smooth surface but long (6″?) grass.

Eckharts Airport

Another similar airport is N of Sandpoint, Idaho.  Again, assuming you are travelling N bound.  Starting at Sandpoint Idaho KSZT, fuel up(self-serve), file eAPIS and call Canadian Customs (1-888-226-7277).  Give them your information & the required 2 hours advance notice of arrival (no more than 48 hours in advance)…(Eckharts Airport is the AOE to tell Canadian Customs).  Slightly different approach here.

Short Taxi Required

Land (in the U.S.) at Porthill, identifier 1S1.  Note: Porthill is a grass runway suitable for all aircraft.  After landing, taxi past the N end of the runway (Google Earth link) (there is a very slight, uphill).  Continue to taxi N maybe 100 yards around a very slight curve–you’ll come to a large meadow (Google Earth link) with the Canadian customs building visible, a sign and some stairs (picture).

Park, shut down, get your passport and walk to the Canadian Customs office (Google Earth link).  You can also review this picture if desired.  Again, since you are landing in the U.S. no cross-border flight plan nor transponder code is required.  There is plenty of clearance on both sides to taxi this short route.  As far as I know, if you’re using this AOE, you must taxi to the designated spot.

As you approach Porthill you might notice a paved runway a few miles to the North at Creston CAJ3.  You CANNOT land there unless you (and all your passengers) are pre-approved CANPASS members (and if you declared Creston as your AOE).  Customs at Eckharts told me there is a $5,000 fine if you land at Creston by mistake!

If you do not want to clear at Eckharts, and if you are not pre-approved CANPASS members, your next option for Customs would likely be Cranbrook CYXC.

Personal Recommendations

Tip: When calling either Canadian and U.S. Customs they ask for your expected time of arrival.  Both country custom’s allow you approximately +/- 15 minutes leeway on that projected arrival time.  You can be fined by significantly missing your stated arrival time.

Arrival Window Suggestions

1) If you’re within radio coverage, as soon as you see you will are going to miss your arrival time, call Flight Service and ask them to contact the appropriate customs phone # (which you will provide).  Ask them to radio you back confirmation that they successfully contacted customs on your behalf and to get the name of the customs officer they talked to. 2) Give yourself extra time.

Arrival Time Tip

For instance, assuming your projected arrival time will be 2:00 pm, instead tell customs you will arrive at 2:15.  If you’re making good time, just pull the power back, do slow flight, or S-turns to delay your arrival until your stated arrival time.  If you will be further delayed, see tip # 1 above.

On one flight, I was going to be early for my projected arrival in Kalispell, Montana.  I spent a few minutes sightseeing around Glacier National Park to get myself within the specified arrival window.

Direct Flight–Bypass Customs

Numerous customs stories on Internet forums relaying pilots planning to simply load up with extra fuel and (perhaps barely) make it from say Bellingham to Ketchikan, thereby avoiding having to file Canadian customs.  IMHO this is a BIG mistake.

Weather can change dramatically and quickly along the coast.  Headwinds spring up where there was originally a tailwind.  Fog rapidly forms.  Something goes awry with the aircraft–all situations necessitating a stop in Canada!  Big problem if you did not file customs!

Landing Fee Tip

Some Canadian customs airports have landing fees, whereas others do not.  For instance, Lethbridge CYQL has a landing fee (for international flights).  A short distance North, Springbank CYBW does not charge a landing fee.

Do your homework in the Canadian Flight Supplement prior to selecting your Canadian Airport Of Entry.

Presenting Documentation

When entering the U.S., I’m always asked to show: Current pilot medical certificate, pilot certificate, current customs decal and aircraft registration.  By the way, the # on your customs decal is one of the entry fields in your eAPIS filing–they do check to insure your # matches the # on your eAPIS report.

Radio Station License

Here are links to the required forms to apply for a “Radio Station License.”  Again, please note that (to date) I have never been asked to present this form either by Canadian or U.S. Custom’s officers.

To add insult to injury, it seems one needs to first apply for a “FCC  Registration Number” …aka “FRN”.  Here’s the text noting such from the application Form 605 instructions:  “All parties and entities doing business with the Commission must obtain a unique identifying number called the FCC Registration Number (FRN) and supply it when doing business with the Commission. Failure to provide the FRN may delay the processing of the application.”  So here is the link to apply for that FRN: (Get your FRN #).

  • FCC 605 Main Form (link here)
  • FCC 605 Schedule C (it appears the only reason one must also fill out this form is to indicate one will be making international flights) (link here)
  • FCC 605 Schedule E (Restricted Radio telephone Operator Permit) (link here)
[Text from AOPA at link] “Under U.S. law the radio station license is still required for U.S. registered aircraft when entering the USA, although not for flying within the US.”

The FCC issues a Restricted Radiotelephone Operators Permit for US pilots, but only for international use – it is not required while flying in the United States.

AOPA is advocating for a U.S. – Canada reciprocal agreement that would exempt both U.S. and Canadian certificated pilots from requirements for restricted radio telephone operators permits and radio station licenses to operate in each other’s countries.

Note: In crossing the border many times, I have never been asked for this form.  Probably will be asked next time now that I’ve said “never” here.

Local Time Difference !!

When calling Customs from Canada into Alaska (e.g. Carcross–Skagway or Beaver Creek–Northway) please note that there is an hour local time difference.  Talk about this point with the customs official and leave yourself extra time as the afternoon progresses.  At least one pilot I read had to spend an extra night at Beaver Creek because there wasn’t enough “duty time” left in the day for them to get to Northway and back (due to the time difference).

My Customs Experiences–Canada customs over the years (pre-Covid)

Canadian customs staff are almost always cordial, friendly, welcoming and in general pleasant to deal with.  One may generally stand outside your aircraft upon arrival.

When no Canadian customs officer is present when you arrive, call 888-226-7277 and inform them of your arrival. They will either instruct you to continue to wait, or they may give you a clearance # to enter in your logbook and clear you to proceed on your trip.  I’d venture a guess that at least 50% of the time I enter Canada there isn’t a Canadian customs officer there.

My Customs Experiences–United States customs over the years (pre-Covid)

In my experience, U.S. customs staff are, sadly, generally surly, seemingly not happy to welcome you back to your own country and overbearing.  The one exception is Officer Martinez @ Cut Bank, who is consistently a pleasure to deal with.

Take the time to research the local customs’ phone #.  Every location has a local #.  For instance, for Skagway it is 907-983-2325.

Remain in Your Aircraft

One must remain inside the aircraft until a U.S. customs officer specifically grants you permission to exit.  On one occasion, my passenger was desperate to use the restroom–there was no customs official present; I called the U.S. Customs local phone # (NOT the 800 #–the LOCAL #) and asked if my passenger could briefly exit the plane to use the restroom–we were granted that privilege.

Make sure you have at least a screen print of your eAPIS confirmation # (the email # you receive in your email that indicates your eAPIS submission was received and which clears you to proceed.  In one circumstance the U.S. customs officer was ready to read me the riot act for not submitting eAPIS–until I proved to him via my screen print/email receipt that I had indeed filed eAPIS.

Personal Canadian Border Crossing Experiences

  • JJ cleared today, May 4, 2022, at Whetstone.  Quick, only 10 minutes.  Very pleasant staff.  Confirmed one MUST be vaccinated–no exceptions.  No PCR or antigen test required.
  • JK reports: I just cleared at Whitehorse on Tuesday 5 October 2021, had eApis and ARRIVEcanada and a fresh 72 hr Meg COVID test in (MY PAPERS). No problems just had to wait for customs ofcrs to show up. Cleared at Williston ND, and again no problems, just had the CBP ofcr travel from Minot.
  • Customs report from late April 2021 (flying from the lower 48 up)Huge nightmare, I don’t recommend anyone trying to fly through Canada until major changes occur.  Things are changing rapidly in the US with major progress on vaccinations, but my understanding is that Canada is way behind and obviously their government is always painful to deal with. We are both pilots and AK residents, and we spoke with the customs official 2-3 times / week for SIX WEEKS leading up to our trip, and she held our hands telling us exactly what we needed to do.Fast-forward to our trip. We’ve been told that we need a negative COVID test within 72 hrs of crossing the border, and that even one hour past 72 would result in us being turned away, so we planned to get the test along the way once it was clear that we could make it to Canada within that window without wx / plane / other issues. Canada will only accept PCR tests, and explicitly will not accept an antigen test. Since a polymerase reaction test is in fact an antigen test, and testing paperwork is not standardized, we had to spend 4 hrs finding a clinic in Price UT whose paperwork included only verbiage acceptable to Canadian officials.Problem solved….or so we thought. We arrive on the border with our data pre-populated in the ArriveCan app, as requested. But we couldn’t submit our application through the app, because it’s not set up to even accept a non-Canadian address as a final destination. Customs officials (who were very friendly and helpful, and even called the current Canadian situation a “police state”) called their superiors, then the health department started telling them that we would be required to get another COVID test (barely 48 hrs after our last one) and quarantine for 5 days…after two hours, they told us they were making an executive decision, took down our information by hand and told us to get moving. What a clusterf-ck.
  • One person in Fairbanks called the Whitehorse customs office several days ahead of his planned crossing date to inquire about any special requirements.  The officer on the phone indicated that the travel must be deemed “essential” to be cleared to proceed. When he asked what is considered essential he was told that the decision is up to the officers meeting him at his plane when he arrives at Whitehorse to clear customs. If not deemed “essential travel” he could be turned back to Alaska.
  • Another person cleared at Whitehorse where the customs officers of course asked him for the purpose of his travel.  He simply told them he was proceeding home to the States after working the summer up in Alaska.  No further questions; He was cleared to proceed.
  • Float pilot turned back at Victoria Harbor–his detailed itinerary was in the plane and the customs official would not let him return to the plane to retrieve it!  Later cleared at Vancouver CAP5.  “Additional note for seaplane travelers: while Skyline (21H) in Anacortes, WA is listed as a seaplane base with fuel, they may not want you to come in. There is no dock out in the open water, the fuel dock for boats and seaplanes in located inside the marina. I arrived there on a Saturday morning and as instructed called from the open water and was told by the manager that he “would rather I do not come in for fuel”. Apparently they prefer commercial aircraft only. I had made three calls during the previous week to assure fuel availability and someone to help out at the dock on my arrival. I described my fuel situation to the manager and that I had made phone calls in advance of my arrival but the his response on the phone was: “I guess I need to talk with someone”… and that was it. After a quick map check I went on to Friday Harbor and was able to get fuel but boat traffic extremely limits seaplane access to the fuel docks so bring fuel cans. The harbor personnel shuttled me and the fuel cans to the fuel docks a couple of times to fill up.  So if the Covid situation goes into next year, it would be best for travelers to Alaska to have names, phone numbers, dates/times of contacts and bring your flight log and phone out of the plane when you go to speak with the customs folks.”
  • Nevada resident transiting from Alaska to the lower 48.  Only asked purpose of travel at Whitehorse–returning home statement was all that was required.  “…note that at Dease Lake, Pacific Western Helicopters is no longer in business at that location. The number listed in the CFS no longer really works. There is a notam which did not come up on ForeFlight, but Kamloops FIC had it. 250-771-3238, or 250-847-9500. Apparently there is fuel at Dease Lake, but you need to call ahead.”