Advance Passenger Information System

{{Short description|System for recording US border crossings}}

Advance Passenger Information System{{cite web |title=APIS: Advance Passenger Information System |url=https://www.cbp.gov/travel/travel-industry-personnel/apis2 |publisher=U.S. Customs and Border Protection |accessdate=17 September 2019 |date=17 May 2018}} or APIS is an electronic data interchange system established by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/apis/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814014132/http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/apis/|url-status=dead|title=U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Travel|archivedate=August 14, 2013|website=www.cbp.gov}}

APIS governs the provision of a limited number of data elements (identification details from the passport and basic flight information) from commercial airline and vessel operators to the computer system of the destination state.{{Cite web|url=http://www.icao.int/icao/en/atb/fal/api.htm|title=Home|website=www.icao.int}} Required information should conform to specifications for UN/EDIFACT Passenger List Message (PAXLST) formats.{{Cite web|url=http://www.icao.int/icao/en/atb/fal/fal12/documentation/fal12wp015_en.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112014855/http://www.icao.int/icao/en/atb/fal/fal12/documentation/fal12wp015_en.pdf|url-status=dead|title=FAL-12-WP-15 FACILITATION (FAL) DIVISION — TWELFTH SESSION Cairo, Egypt, 22 March to 2 April 2004 Agenda Item 2|archivedate=November 12, 2013}}

Beginning in May 2009, private aircraft pilots must also provide the necessary information to the CBP.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/private_flyers/ |title=U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Travel |accessdate=2013-11-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303172828/http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/private_flyers/ |archivedate=2012-03-03 }} The regulations were put into effect in December 2008 with a 180-day voluntary compliance period.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/apis/private_aircraft.xml |title=Reporting Requirements Begin December 18 for Private Aircraft Arriving or Departing United States - CBP.gov |accessdate=2013-11-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030221516/http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/apis/private_aircraft.xml |archivedate=2012-10-30 }}

{{Proper name|eAPIS}} (electronic APIS) is a public website which allows small commercial carriers to transmit data to the CBP electronically.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/apis/e_apis_information.xml|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015082045/http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/inspections_carriers_facilities/apis/e_apis_information.xml|url-status=dead|title=eAPIS Information - CBP.gov|archivedate=October 15, 2011|website=www.cbp.gov}}{{Cite web | url=https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov | title=Welcome to eAPIS | Customs and Border Protection}}

When travelling to or from certain countries, passengers are required to provide advance passenger information (API) before they check in or they will be unable to fly.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/plan/travel-requirements/advance-passenger-information.html|title=Air Canada - Advance Passenger Information System|website=www.aircanada.com}} These countries include

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• Antigua
• Australia[https://www.airfrance.mu/MU/en/common/faq/preparing-for-your-trip/which-countries-require-advanced-passenger-information.htm Which countries require Advanced Passenger Information? - FAQ (Air France, read 2018-03-09)]
• Barbados
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• China
• Costa Rica
• Cuba
• Dominican Republic
• France
• Grenada
• India
• Indonesia
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Maldives
• Mexico
• Myanmar
• New Zealand
• Panama
• Portugal[https://www.sef.pt/en/pages/conteudo-detalhe.aspx?nID=26 Advanced Information Passenger System] (SEF, read 2012-07-11)
• Republic of Korea
• Russian Federation
• Saint Lucia
• South Korea[https://www.ana.co.jp/en/us/travel-information/special-guidance-for-each-country/information-api/ A.P.I. (ADVANCE PASSENGER INFORMATION)] (ANA, read 2025-06-19)
• Spain (except for Schengen Area passengers)[https://www.iberia.com/se/advance-passenger-information-api/ Advance information about passengers] (Iberia, read 2018-03-09)
• Taiwan[http://www.ana.co.jp/wws/us/e/asw_common/others/api/ A.P.I.(Advanced Passenger Information|ANA]
• Thailand
• Trinidad & Tobago
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Vietnam

and some more{{which|date=November 2024}}

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The required information consists of:

• Full name (last name, first name, middle name if applicable)
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Country of residence
• Travel document type (normally passport)
• Travel document number (expiry date and country of issue for passport)
• [For travelers to the US] Address of the first night spent in the US (not required for US citizens/nationals, legal permanent residents, or alien residents of the US entering the US)