Regulatory and Certification Policy

U.S. Customs and Border Protection NPRM Member Action Center

Step 2: Get Help Writing Your Comments

The following guidelines will help you craft your comments.

Personalizing Your Message

Note: Please keep in mind that the CBP staff may not be familiar with aviation. To help them understand the full operational effects of the proposal, please provide as many specifics and details as you can in your comments.

Describe yourself as a pilot and how you use your aircraft, including:

• Describe the type of aircraft you typically fly (i.e., piston engine, four-seat, weight, etc.) How often you fly internationally and to what countries
• How often you fly internationally and to what countries
• Why you fly and who you fly with—personal transportation, business, etc.
• Any other relevant information about your international flights

Explain how the proposed additional requirements would adversely affect your flying activities:

• Explain to CBP why you feel this rule should not apply to small general aviation aircraft (i.e. lack of threat due to small size, slow speed, etc.)
• Express opposition to the proposed departure requirement from the U.S., which includes filing a passenger manifest
• Oppose the requirement for electronic only filing and explain the types of services and facilities currently available at the FBOs you have used in both the U.S. and other countries (i.e., do they have phone service and Internet access available). Note that a lack of these services would prevent a pilot from filing the required information or updating information that has already been filed
• Explain why electronic only filing is impractical using real life examples, including information on weather or other delays that have impacted your anticipated arrival time in the U.S., and how you have updated your planned estimated time of arrival with U.S. Customs (i.e. via phone, FSS, ATC) 
• Explain how this proposed rule, if enacted in its entirety, would effect the number and type of future international flights you might make

How to submit your comments to the CBP

• Use our guide to submitting comments to CBP.