Immigration and Customs Procedures Flashcards

What is 'Advance Passenger Information' (API), and why is it required by governments?

Answer: Biographic data (name, nationality, document number) transmitted by airlines to border agencies before departure for pre-arrival security vetting

API is biographic data transmitted by airlines to destination country border agencies before departure, allowing pre-arrival security screening against watchlists.

What does an airport employee with an airside access badge do if they discover a stowaway on an aircraft?

Answer: Immediately notify supervisors, airport security, and relevant immigration authorities — do not allow the person to leave the aircraft

Discovering a stowaway is a serious security and immigration incident requiring immediate notification of security and immigration authorities.

What is the role of airline check-in staff in verifying travel documents?

Answer: Check-in staff must verify that passengers hold valid travel documents (passport, visa) meeting the requirements for their destination using tools such as TIMATIC

Check-in staff are legally obligated to verify that passengers hold all required travel documents for their destination before issuing a boarding pass.

What is the term for the area in an international terminal where passengers arriving from abroad undergo immigration and customs processing?

Answer: Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility

The Federal Inspection Services (FIS) facility is the designated area in US airports where CBP processes arriving international passengers through immigration and customs.

What is a 'Notice to Airmen' (NOTAM) requirement related to customs and immigration for general aviation aircraft?

Answer: General aviation aircraft arriving internationally must land at a customs airport of entry and notify CBP in advance using eAPIS or equivalent

International general aviation flights must land at designated customs airports and submit advance passenger and crew manifests through eAPIS or equivalent systems.

What does 'controlled delivery' mean in the context of airport customs operations?

Answer: A technique where customs authorities allow contraband to be delivered to its intended recipient under surveillance in order to identify the criminal network

Controlled delivery is a law enforcement technique where customs allows contraband to proceed to its recipient under surveillance to build a criminal case against the broader network.