I flew my C180 from Alaska to the lower 48 this summer. I hate to say it, but dealing with US Customs was a drag. It seems like a significant staffing problem. The “call before filing eApis” to make sure US Customs staff are available was a real bummer. The US Customs staff I met were very nice and professional but the process borders on ridiculous.

When attempting to clear customs in the lower 48 my 1st choice couldn’t meet me because of staffing, my 2nd choice never picked up the phone over a 4 hour time period, and my 3rd choice also couldn’t meet me because of staffing. My 4th (Whetstone) did agree to meet me, but only after I told them I was out of options.

Returning back to Alaska I called 3 times beginning 2 days ahead of my arrival and was given the all clear after each call. Then, when making my last call prior to departure I was told they couldn’t take me in Northway and I needed to find another airport of entry. Again, short on staffing.

So much different than clearing with Canada- very straight forward and a phone call that took about 1 minute and “Welcome to Canada”.

Luckily, I had nothing but time and we turned the US Customs challenge into a laughable event. I could see how this travel requirement could be super frustrating for people in a hurry though.

I’m putting in a plug for the FlashPass app. Those people are awesome! Each time I refiled they texted me to see if I needed help, reviewed my manifest, and exchanged about 10 texts with me throughout our trip. Most of those texts were during the evening or early morning.

If you’re clearing US customs make sure you get the FlashPass App. I’d rate it 10 stars if I could.

Please, what were your 1st, 2nd, & 3rd choices?
What day of week & time of day did you cross into lower 48?

I just got back about 2 weeks ago and had a good experience at Northway and again at Eckerts International (aka Porthill) in north Idaho.

Did you clear U.S. customs at Porthill? If so as easy as clearing Canadian customs there?

tedwaltman wrote:Did you clear U.S. customs at Porthill? If so as easy as clearing Canadian customs there?

Yes sir, it was maybe 15 minutes tops.

I wonder if at Porthill it is possible to clear via seaplane on the river? that would be convenient.

I can't seem to find a spot to clear freshwater with a straight floats seaplane, maybe lake osoyoos

Yep they have a seaplane base there at Rykerts (Porthill)

Arctic Flyer wrote:I’m putting in a plug for the FlashPass app. Those people are awesome! Each time I refiled they texted me to see if I needed help, reviewed my manifest, and exchanged about 10 texts with me throughout our trip. Most of those texts were during the evening or early morning.

If you’re clearing US customs make sure you get the FlashPass App. I’d rate it 10 stars if I could.

Another vote here. Great app. Great guy.

It is so strange to me that the Customs and Border protection folks have such completely different rules for boats and planes. Sailing from Canada to the US (Victoria, BC to San Juan Island in the US) does not require any prenotification. There are no tight schedules to adhere to and the clearance process when you arrive is hassle free. All of this despite the fact that an average personal boat can carry a whole lot more of whatever you are worried about than the average personal plane. Going from the US into Canada is even easier with nothing more than a phone call from a designated phone to the Canadian Customs required in most cases. Why the federal agency in charge of these clearances haven't harmonized the boating and flying requirements for clearance is beyond me.

It's all academic now since flying between Canada and the US is just a memory for me. I'm on Basic Med these days and Canada doesn't recognize that as a viable flight medical. That's another benefit of boating - no medical license required. I'm beginning to wonder why I own a plane...Zane, have you considered a sister website called backcountry skipper?

iPat wrote:Please, what were your 1st, 2nd, & 3rd choices?
What day of week & time of day did you cross into lower 48?

1. Cutbank
2. Couts
3. Great Falls

I tried on a Tuesday morning. Made my initial call at 8am to clear around 11am. Didn’t quite work as planned but it eventually worked and they let me back in my own country.

I cannot speak to Flashpass but wanted to update based on my trip yesterday to Powell River from Kenmore. First and foremost is how to arrange for Customs arrival in the Seattle area. EAPIS takes your manifest but instructs you to arrange landing permission with the local office. The AFD and everywhere I looked gave phone numbers to call. All of which were either continuous busy or endless ring.
NBAA lists the existence of Fact Sheets for some Airports of Entry, but not for Kenmore.
KBFI has one and it says to send an email to [email protected]. Since it appeared to be Seattle general I tried it. Worked like a charm.
Yes they are understaffed so I wound up clearing customs at Lake Union rather than Kenmore but not a big deal.
Also the pilot is responsible for ensuring that all on board have a passport that matches each passenger. A fine is very possible.
And finally despite what some have encountered the CBP agent we dealt with was super helpful and pleasant.

I have a hard time taking taking US customs seriously, I just consider them dark humor and it all makes tons more sense

One tip that kinda helps, I like to call ahead (record it) and brief them on when I’ll be there and that someone will be there, I also ask for the initials of the person I’m talking to.

Canada was easy, but I just got a bill in the mail from NavCanada, for services rendered. I only used “their services” to cancel a flight plan when I arrived.
Coming into Alaska and back into Washington was kind of a run around joke, but the people themselves were nice.