CBP Procedures at 3 Washington Airfields

Here’s what operators need to know about U.S. Customs and Border Protection availability and procedures at three Washington state airfields, King County International Airport, Lake Union Seaplane Terminal, and Kenmore Seaplane Base.

King County International Airport (KBFI)

Permission to land procedure

• Pilots must secure permission to land by contacting CBP prior to departure from the foreign airport and at least two hours in advance of the anticipated arrival time at King County International Airport
• Permission to land is granted with a tolerance of 30 minutes
• If your ETA deviates outside those parameters, you must speak with a CBP Officer to resecure permission to land

Entrance and clearance hours

• Inspection services for the arrival of aircraft at King County are available 7 days per week from 0800-1600
• Commercial aircraft operators departing the U.S. must obtain an outbound clearance by contacting CBP directly

Inspection Process

• Aircraft should park on the ramp at location 4, in the blue customs box
• The FIS is attached to the main terminal
• A CBP Officer will meet the aircraft on the ramp to begin the inspection
• All crew and passengers will be processed inside the FIS
• Be prepared to present passports, visas, pilot’s license, medical certificate, aircraft registration, and user fee decal (if appropriate)
• Regulated waste will be collected by your FBO
• Passengers can depart directly from FIS at the conclusion of their inspection

Please note

• After-hours service may be available on request and may be subject to Reimbursable Service Program (RSP) fees
• Advise CBP if transporting live animals, weapons, hunting trophies, or commercial imports

Lake Union Seaplane Terminal (KLKE)

Permission to land procedure

• Pilots must secure permission to land by contacting CBP prior to departure from the foreign airport and at least two hours in advance of the anticipated arrival time at Lake Union Seaplane Terminal
• Permission to land is granted with a tolerance of 30 minutes
• If your ETA deviates outside those parameters, you must speak with a CBP Officer to resecure permission to land

Entrance and clearance hours

• Inspection services for the arrival of aircraft at Lake Union Seaplane Terminal are generally available 7 days per week, 24 hours per day
• Commercial aircraft operators departing the U.S. must obtain an outbound clearance by contacting CBP directly

Inspection process

• Aircraft should park on the dock at the FIS which is attached to the main terminal
• A CBP Officer will meet the aircraft on the dock to begin the inspection
• All crew and passengers will be processed at the discretion of the officer
• Be prepared to present passports, visas, pilot’s license, medical certificate, aircraft registration, and user fee decal (if appropriate)
• There is no USDA compliance agreement in place at this airport for the collection of regulated waste
• Only aircraft arriving from Canada can be serviced by CBP at this airport
• Passengers can depart directly from FIS at the conclusion of their inspection

Please note

• This is not a regularly staffed airport
• CBP Officers travel to service aircraft arrivals at this airport
• Accurate ETAs and timely updates to ETAs are critical
• Advise CBP if transporting live animals, weapons, hunting trophies, or commercial imports

Kenmore Seaplane Base (KS60)

Permission to land procedure

• Pilots must secure permission to land by contacting CBP prior to departure from the foreign airport and at least one business day in advance of the anticipated arrival time at KS60
• Permission to land is granted with a tolerance of 30 minutes
• If your ETA deviates outside those parameters, you must contact CBP to resecure permission to land

Entrance and clearance hours

• Inspection services for the arrival of aircraft at Kenmore Seaplane Base are generally available 7 days per week, 24 hours per day
• Commercial aircraft operators departing the U.S. must obtain an outbound clearance by contacting CBP directly

Inspection process

• Aircraft should park at the FBO
• There is no CBP office at this location and this office is not regularly staffed
• A CBP Officer will meet the aircraft on the dock to begin the inspection
• All crew and passengers will be processed planeside
• Be prepared to present passports, visas, pilot’s license, medical certificate, aircraft registration, and user fee decal (if appropriate)
• There is no USDA compliance agreement in place at this airport for the collection of regulated waste Only aircraft arriving from Canada can be serviced by CBP at this airport

Please note

• CBP Officers travel to service aircraft arrivals at this airport; accurate ETAs and timely updates to ETAs are critical
• Advise CBP if transporting live animals, weapons, hunting trophies, or commercial imports

For support with your flight operations in the U.S., contact UAS Americas