APIS Reminder

Masters and ship operators are reminded that Phase One of the enforcement process for the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) commences today, October 4. The APIS Regulation was published on April 7, 2005, and requires electronic transmission of passenger and crew information to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) exclusively via the USCG electronic Notice of Arrival and Departure (ENOA/D) internet portal. During Phase One, masters and carriers will only be penalized for failure to submit timely APIS reports. No penalty will be assessed for good faith errors in the submittal. As of October 31, 2005, when Phase Two commences, the APIS submittals will have to be both timely and accurate. (HK Law)