Bahamas to Florida customs airport
 

We will probably have to take the Boss from the Bahamas to Florida in Jan.
Are there any "bizjet friendly" customs airports in Florida that you can recommend?
I'm familiar with a few Ports of Entry in the US and all of them were hardly efficient, expeditious and (above all) passenger friendly......!!
Thanks,
JC

:ok:

KPIE
KGNV
KVQQ
KDAB
KJAX
KMLB

Depends where in the boss is going, but my buddy likes OPF and PBI.

It all depends on your destination in FL, the "Southern Border Overflight" rule requires you to land at the first customs port on your route of flight,unless you have an approved overflight exemption.
I always had good luck clearing at KJAZ, KMLB or KPBI, but it all depends on the day and inspector, we usually avoid KMIA like the plague.

Would go PBI, FXE or FLL stay away from OPF.. They can be a giant pain in the A$$...

US arrival recommendations
 

Generally, US Customs are only picky about drugs, and immigration visas.
A few extra packs of cigarettes or bottles of booze is not their concern.
It is generally less expensive in US retail stores anyway.
Stay on board of the plane, door closed until gestured to open the door.
Have the passports and GD (manifest) in hand.
Remember, the I-94 visa waiver (green form) not approved for private flights.
Regular visa (white form) I-94 required for passengers. Crew visa required.
Get the forms ready prior to arrival if you can.
Handlers often have a supply of such forms available in the Bahamas.
Do not forget the timely notification of ETA as per their regulations.
xxx
Have a good flight -
:ok:
Happy contrails

Thank you all very much for the very informative (as always) replies.
I will post again when the time, and our Florida destination are known (Jan 09) if that's ok?
Stay Happy.......................................
JC

Unless things have changed in FL, if you stay inside the plane in FL you'll be waiting until someone come out and wanders what you guys are doing...

In FL as of 2 yrs ago, you (crew) grab your pax and bags and walk to the customs building, thaz it.

To Mr. seupp -
xxx
My "staying in the airplane" is based on personal experience, a flight from Mexico to San Diego, California.
A US Customs Officer got upset at me for walking from a Learjet to the Customs/Immigration office.
"Who authorized you to open the door and sneak out of your plane...?".
It also happens to be the rule of airline operated 747 full of passengers.
With Pprune, recommendations are often negated by some "know-it-all".
I lived 25 years in USA, and in/out of there since 1960... Have you...?
xxx
US Customs/Immigration/TSA are not friendly administrations.
Another form of saying "Welcome to USA"...
xxx
:*
Happy contrails, mange tak...

It's one of the joys of flying to the Good 'ole US of A; the lottery at an unfamiliar airport as to whether they threaten to put you in jail for opening the door, or for not coming inside quickly enough....:mad:

It's one of the joys of flying to the Good 'ole US of A; the lottery at an unfamiliar airport as to whether they threaten to put you in jail for opening the door, or for not coming inside quickly enough....

That's precisely why I placed the post in the first place!!!
I was just wondering (not having a lot of experience of US Customs at GA airports - thank God!) if people with recent actual experience of particular Florida Airports could advise a "good one" ...............if such an Airport exists!

Thanks again for all your imputs.

JC

Florida Customs
 

The "stay in the airplane" thing is very dated, at least in Florida and Texas. Park in front of Customs, open the door, let pax out, unload baggage and enter the Customs facility.

I clear Customs in Florida 2X per week as I live there.

My experiences:

KFLL - good - Sheltair FBO staff will assist with your baggage. Sheltair and Customs are in the same building
KPBI - satisfactory, but no luggage carts available unless you make prior arrangements with an FBO (not co-located)
KFXE - If the "butch" inspector is there not so good, otherwise satisfactory.
KMIA - satisfactory
KFPR - good, restaurant next door

Get the facts, hours, rules, from this Customs Guide.

Thanks Check 6 that is just what I was looking for.
Regards,
Jez

Hello mr. BelArgUSA,

No, didn't spend more than 6 yrs in FL, unfortunately... Now back in COLD Sweden (hot women though)

I flew quite a bit in/out of a few airports in FL, GA and airline ops, miss it!

Have a good one