KMSP and customs
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Qatar mainly & Sometimes Oxfordshire or Texas!
Age: 46
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
bacardi walla,
On your profile, you have your location set as "Ask the tower !"
I think cambioso is using that as a perhaps too gentle hint to you that you'll need your landing permission in KMSP. Not just from the tower though - you need to contact CBP (Customs & Border Patrol) at your destination airport and advise them of your planned arrival (in addition to filing eAPIS).
Have fun!
On your profile, you have your location set as "Ask the tower !"
I think cambioso is using that as a perhaps too gentle hint to you that you'll need your landing permission in KMSP. Not just from the tower though - you need to contact CBP (Customs & Border Patrol) at your destination airport and advise them of your planned arrival (in addition to filing eAPIS).
Have fun!
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: California
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
KMSP Customs does things different than the rest in that the inspector won't meet you at the FBO. You must got to the Customs "ramp" at the airline terminal, park outside an airliner jetway and wait. After you're clear THEN you can taxi to the FBO. Not normal and a bit of a hassle.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ask the tower !
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the input. The reason I asked is that when we landed, we were told to taxi to a ramp for customs. We were then asked why we did not have a landing permit. We presented the TSA and APIS and the arrogant customs guy said these were no good and asked us why we had not got a landing permit. When asked how we obtain a permit, he walked away to get his supervisor who then promptly said we should pay a $10k fine, cash or cards accepted. We again asked why we need a landing permit when we had landed in Anchorage, then Canada, then at KMSP. After much debate, customs decided they would not fine us and let us taxi to the FBO.
We asked the FBO staff about the landing permit but to be honest, w emay as well have asked the guy in MacDonalds as he clearly had more brain cells.
Having landed previously in many US airports from Canada and not had to have a landing permit, why is KMSP so different and how does one get a permit ?
I have to say also, flying in Iraq or Russia is easier than USA !!
We asked the FBO staff about the landing permit but to be honest, w emay as well have asked the guy in MacDonalds as he clearly had more brain cells.
Having landed previously in many US airports from Canada and not had to have a landing permit, why is KMSP so different and how does one get a permit ?
I have to say also, flying in Iraq or Russia is easier than USA !!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Ask the tower !
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Private owner flight.
We did call KMSP customs before leaving Anchorage to head into Canada and asked if we needed anything other than TSA and APIS and the officer replied "no you don't".
I hate flying in USA. Too many rules and nobody really knows how to apply them.
We did call KMSP customs before leaving Anchorage to head into Canada and asked if we needed anything other than TSA and APIS and the officer replied "no you don't".
I hate flying in USA. Too many rules and nobody really knows how to apply them.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: California
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have used many different airports of entry into the US, including MSP several times, and have never heard of a landing permit requirement.
If you don't carefully follow the expected protocol some inspectors snap and begin to bully. Not giving proper notification, taxiing to the FBO before the Customs ramp or even opening the cabin entry door before the inspector has arrived at the plane can get them started....doesn't take much.
Not saying you did any of this but your experience sounds odd as there is no required landing permit at MSP or any other US public airport I know of.
Word to the Wise: avoid clearing US Customs at any S. Florida airport of entry...always very difficult even on a good day. I'm convinced inspectors who can't get along with others are sent to work there. ALL pax and luggage off, dogs searching the plane, interrogation as luggage is searched, etc. The slightest snag will cause a very long delay. Get yourself an Overflight Permit and clear ANYWHERE else.
If you don't carefully follow the expected protocol some inspectors snap and begin to bully. Not giving proper notification, taxiing to the FBO before the Customs ramp or even opening the cabin entry door before the inspector has arrived at the plane can get them started....doesn't take much.
Not saying you did any of this but your experience sounds odd as there is no required landing permit at MSP or any other US public airport I know of.
Word to the Wise: avoid clearing US Customs at any S. Florida airport of entry...always very difficult even on a good day. I'm convinced inspectors who can't get along with others are sent to work there. ALL pax and luggage off, dogs searching the plane, interrogation as luggage is searched, etc. The slightest snag will cause a very long delay. Get yourself an Overflight Permit and clear ANYWHERE else.
ksjc
Thanks for the heads-up on KMSP, where would you find that tidbit about going to a customs ramp or terminal jetway?
We used KILM (Wilmington, NC) couple months ago, in and out in 30 minutes coming from Chile. Generally, avoiding big city airports makes it easier, KDLH is supposed to be reasonable, instead of KMSP. But, the absolute worst I've seen is nterior ports that don't see a lot of private planes. KOKC once insisted on shutting down the APU while they inspected the passports of all us--it was 103F outside and soon heat exhaustion was a real possibility.
GF
Thanks for the heads-up on KMSP, where would you find that tidbit about going to a customs ramp or terminal jetway?
We used KILM (Wilmington, NC) couple months ago, in and out in 30 minutes coming from Chile. Generally, avoiding big city airports makes it easier, KDLH is supposed to be reasonable, instead of KMSP. But, the absolute worst I've seen is nterior ports that don't see a lot of private planes. KOKC once insisted on shutting down the APU while they inspected the passports of all us--it was 103F outside and soon heat exhaustion was a real possibility.
GF
Aviator Extraordinaire
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma USA
Age: 76
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
But, the absolute worst I've seen is nterior ports that don't see a lot of private planes. KOKC once insisted on shutting down the APU while they inspected the passports of all us--it was 103F outside and soon heat exhaustion was a real possibility.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: MCO (occasionally)
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Everything said so far it true. But to put it into an international context, you can get jerked around most anywhere if you don't follow the procedure that the inspector is looking for.
In Luton, two hours waiting for customs to arrive (at 3AM), in Stanstead, they wouldn't let us take soup through to the aircraft (outbound), In Nice, an insufferable SAFA check, in China, I had a visa refused, in Riyadh, a four hour delay to insure we really were approved to depart.
The USA is simply par for the course, so always call ahead before you leave home base, and call from the airport prior to US entry.
FR
In Luton, two hours waiting for customs to arrive (at 3AM), in Stanstead, they wouldn't let us take soup through to the aircraft (outbound), In Nice, an insufferable SAFA check, in China, I had a visa refused, in Riyadh, a four hour delay to insure we really were approved to depart.
The USA is simply par for the course, so always call ahead before you leave home base, and call from the airport prior to US entry.
FR
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: California
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@GF
I don't know if the MSP CBP location is noted in any reference material...I've never seen it noted anyway. I only found out because prior to departure I always ask both the FBO and the CBP agent on the phone where the meeting spot is.
Come to think of it KTUS, KBOI, KDLH and KINL are some others I have used where you are expected to meet at an inspection site far from any FBO. Always good to check with the FBO during trip planning.
I don't know if the MSP CBP location is noted in any reference material...I've never seen it noted anyway. I only found out because prior to departure I always ask both the FBO and the CBP agent on the phone where the meeting spot is.
Come to think of it KTUS, KBOI, KDLH and KINL are some others I have used where you are expected to meet at an inspection site far from any FBO. Always good to check with the FBO during trip planning.
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Qatar mainly & Sometimes Oxfordshire or Texas!
Age: 46
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
bacardi walla,
I've entered the US through MSP before and never needed a "landing permit".
TSA Clearance when not in an N reg aircraft, yes. eAPIS filed, yes. Telephone call to local CBP officer to advise of our arrival, yes (also good to check with them where they'd like us to park on arrival - always take their badge number as a reference).
The only thing I can think of which you don't seem to have mentioned and can get you a potential fine for is if you didn't have a 'transponder' decal for your aircraft? ( https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov ) But even then, you can normally pay for it on arrival.
I've entered the US through MSP before and never needed a "landing permit".
TSA Clearance when not in an N reg aircraft, yes. eAPIS filed, yes. Telephone call to local CBP officer to advise of our arrival, yes (also good to check with them where they'd like us to park on arrival - always take their badge number as a reference).
The only thing I can think of which you don't seem to have mentioned and can get you a potential fine for is if you didn't have a 'transponder' decal for your aircraft? ( https://dtops.cbp.dhs.gov ) But even then, you can normally pay for it on arrival.
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Age: 52
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Haven't landed at this particular airport, but recently flew to Vancouver and back. It couldn't have been smoother in my case. If the plane is US registered, this is what you need:
1. eAPIS filing online (dead easy).
2. Call the CBP and tell them what time you will arrive at airport before departing.
3. File a VFR or IFR flight plan. All ADIZ crossings require a flight plan.
4. Make sure you have the international CBP sticker in the window as you can't always buy it off of them and they give you a hard time without it.
1. eAPIS filing online (dead easy).
2. Call the CBP and tell them what time you will arrive at airport before departing.
3. File a VFR or IFR flight plan. All ADIZ crossings require a flight plan.
4. Make sure you have the international CBP sticker in the window as you can't always buy it off of them and they give you a hard time without it.
The sticker can be bought online. If it hasn't arrived yet then the receipt is acceptable.
In Florida you need to phone Customs at the airport of entry at least one hour prior to arrival to advise arrival time. This is in addition to eAPIS notification. You should be given the CBP officer's initials when you do. That's in case another officer when you get there can't find your 1 hr notification so you have some way to show you complied.
In Florida you need to phone Customs at the airport of entry at least one hour prior to arrival to advise arrival time. This is in addition to eAPIS notification. You should be given the CBP officer's initials when you do. That's in case another officer when you get there can't find your 1 hr notification so you have some way to show you complied.
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Various at the moment
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 0
Received 7 Likes
on
1 Post
I asked the FBO about arriving from Canada in a non US registered aircraft and they told me:
You are able to clear customs on our ramp. They have a satellite office they occupy when there is a scheduled arrival. You need to contact them for landing rights approval.
You are able to clear customs on our ramp. They have a satellite office they occupy when there is a scheduled arrival. You need to contact them for landing rights approval.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: europe
Age: 67
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In Luton, two hours waiting for customs to arrive (at 3AM), in Stanstead, they wouldn't let us take soup through to the aircraft (outbound), In Nice, an insufferable SAFA check, in China, I had a visa refused, in Riyadh, a four hour delay to insure we really were approved to depart.
Customs in USA is like a lotto. I've had my best experiences in MIA and TEB, and also my worst experiences in the same exact places. Despite the CBP "pledge" advertisement places at all ports of entry, most (but by no means all) of their staff have serious attitude problems.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Eire/HK
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree DD, We had an arrogant tosser CBP agent in Oakland who refused to put boot covers on to walk on the aeroplanes carpet, We had to file a formal complaint about him. Its very hit and miss!!