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CARICOM APIS

The Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) is an automated system established for aviation and maritime operators that have the capability of enhancing border security over the Region by supplying Law Enforcement Officers with data on passengers and crewmembers prior to arrival and departure from CARICOM Member States.

APIS is an Electronic Data Interchange system, involving a number of data elements (identification details from the passport and flight information) (ICAO/WCO/IATA/March 2003) between the computer system of the airline and the computer system of the destination state. Required information should also conform to specifications for UN/EDIFACT formats.

Legislation requires all commercial air and sea carriers operating inbound and outbound to electronically transmit APIS data on all passengers and crewmembers to JRCC. The required time for submitting the API data is as follows:

  • Commercial Air carriers must electronically transmit their passenger data within 15 minutes of a flight's departure.
  • Private and Non-Commercial air carriers must submit 30 minutes before departure. The crewmember data must be submitted prior to the flight's departure.
  • Commercial Sea Carriers must electronically transmit their passenger data within 24 hours of a vessel’s arrival into the region and 1 hour for departure within the Region.
  • Private and Non-Commercial sea carriers must submit 30 minutes before departure.
  • The crewmember data must be submitted prior to the flight's departure.

Where available, carriers utilize document readers, which are placed at ticket counters and departure gates around the world to assist them in the collection of APIS data from machine-readable travel documents, such as passports. The data collected by the carrier is then transmitted to JRCC.

The CARICOM Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) came into effect from February 1, 2007 in respect of the 10 CARICOM Member States. Regional and international aircraft and vessels are required to submit Advance Passenger Information prior to arrival in and upon departure from any of the 10 Member States forming the Single Domestic Space.

The JRCC has provided a web service for all carriers who would like to submit their APIs online. Go to the CARICOM eAPIS web portal
© 2009 Joint Regional Communications Centre