It means electronically filing of a crew/pax manifest prior to departing an airport in the US and prior to arriving in the US.

It’s not really complicated, but it will take some of your time. Especially if you’re on an island with no internet access.

You are required to register and apply for an account, this will take 5-7 business days.

Please read this tutorial. It explains the procedure in detail: https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/

Pilot’s Bill of Rights

To Enter The Islands of The Bahamas Private Pilots need:
a) Three (3) copies of the C7A Bahamas Cruising Permit form
b) One (1) Bahamas Immigration Card per person
c) Proof of Citizenship—Passport

Private Pilots visiting The Islands Of The Bahamas should expect the following:

*No Landing fee—for single engine private planes under 6,000 lbs. on a non-commercial trip at any government-owned airport. Landing Fee may apply at private airports.

*No Overtime Customs and Immigration Fee—for private aircraft visiting The Islands Of The Bahamas where the pilot declares that he/she does not receive any remuneration and the flight is for recreational purposes.

*No Transire—(C38) is needed for private pilots, cruising through The Islands Of The Bahamas for pleasure (a copy of the C7A will suffice.

*No Tie Down Fee—at any government owned airport. Tie Down Fees may apply at private airports.

*A Flight Plan must be filed—activate prior to entering The Islands Of The Bahamas and closed after landing. When leaving The Islands Of The Bahamas it is mandatory to file a new flight plan.

To Leave The Islands of The Bahamas Private Pilots Need:

a) One copy of The Bahamas Customs General Declaration Outward Form (C7)
b) To turn in The Bahamas Immigration card copy
c) To file a flight plan
d) Call and Advise U.S. Customs of your ETA via a land line and get “code” from Custom Officer

All persons, six years and over leaving The Islands Of The Bahamas, pay a Government Departure Tax of $15.00.

Outward Bound – From United States

1. file crew/pax manifest via https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/
2. Make sure you have your passport.
3. File an International Flight Plan.
4. Must have U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets for each person on board.
5. Activate your Flight Plan before leaving Florida on 122.2, 122.4 or 126.7 (Miami Radio) leaving Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, WPB, and 122.5 out of Ft. Pierce area.
6. Prior to landing, close flight plan on 124.2 or 128.0 (Nassau Radio) or 122.3 (Freeport Radio).
If unable to close it in the air, use 1-800-WX BRIEF or 242-377-7116 on the ground. In Exuma, 118.0 (Exuma advisory).
7. Ensure your first landing in The Bahamas is at an Airport of Entry (AOE) and clear Bahamas Customs and Immigration
8. Have all your documents prepared in advance, if possible. This allows for smoother processing.
9. Be cooperative with Customs and Immigration; they are there to assist you.
10. You may cruise the entire Bahamas with a C7A Cruising Permit, but your last point of departure from The Bahamas must be an Airport of Entry. There, you will be given clearance to leave the country.

Inward Bound – To United States

1. file crew/pax manifest via https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov/
2. You must depart from an Airport of Entry (AOE).
3. File one copy of The Bahamas Customs (C7) and turn in The Bahamas immigration carbon copy.
4. Pay departure tax of $15 per person.
5. Call and advise U.S. Custom of your ETA via a land line and get “code” from the Customs Officer.
6. File an International Flight Plan 242-377-7116 or (1-800-WX-BRIEF). If in the air, call Nassau Radio on 124.2, 128.0.
7. Activate your flight plan with Nassau on 124.2, 128.0 (Nassau Radio) or 122.3 (Freeport Radio). If you are unable to do this, activate with Miami Radio 126.7, 126.9 or 118.4. In Bimini, activate your flight plan on 122.1(Miami Remote no voice) or listen to Bimini VOR 116.7.
8. VFR flights must receive a discrete transponder code from FSS 126.7 (Miami Radio) before penetrating the ADIZ zone. Flight Service is responsible, not Approach Control.
9. Prior to landing close your flight plan on 126.7. If you are not able to, close at Customs office with 1-800-WX -BRIEF
10. You must land at an Airport of Entry on the East Coast
11. Take all baggage out of airplane and proceed directly to Customs.
12. Prepare the necessary documents, U.S. Arrival Report (pilots only) and Customs Declaration cards (1 per family). Please fill out in advance if possible.

Pilot FAQs

What are the closest islands to Florida?
From Palm Beach / Miami / Ft. Lauderdale, Bimini is only 50 nm and Grand Bahama Island only 60nm.

What equipment is required to fly to the islands?
a) You must have a Mode C transponder,
b) 12" tail numbers,
c) U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on board.

A life raft is not required, but is suggested.

What special procedures do I follow when departing the U.S.?
File an International or DVFR Flight Plan and activate it in the air. Close the Flight Plan in the air prior to landing on 124.2 or 128.0 (Nassau Radio) or if you are unable to, close with 1-800-WX-BRIEF or 242-377-7116 on the ground.

Is flight following required?
No, but you will be able to stay in contact with Miami Center until they hand you off to Nassau approach.

Is fuel readily available, and how expensive is it?
Avgas is currently available at nine airports in The Bahamas and you are never more than 20 minutes flying time away from fuel. The average price of avgas is currently $5.25 a gallon.

Can I land at any airport?
You must land at an Airport of Entry (AOE) the first time you enter the islands. Normal hours for Customs are 9:00a.m. - 5:30p.m. daily, check with the airport for specific hours.

Can I arrive at night?
Instrument-rated pilots can fly IFR into Nassau or Freeport after sunset. These are the only airports with instrument approaches at this time. Some other airports have lights for emergency use, and others will be added in the near future.

What proof of citizenship is required?
You need a passport to enter The Bahamas, and to return to the U.S.

What forms are required?
Complete three Inward Declaration and Cruising Permit forms (C7A). You should keep one stamped copy with you for customs when traveling to other islands. In addition, an Arrival Report is required at Nassau and Freeport, and at some other airports for twins. Each person also will complete a Bahamas Immigration Card.

What fees can I expect?
a) Landing fees are waived for single engine aircraft at all government-owned airports.
b) Twins pay a small fee from $4 to $15.
c) Private airports may charge landing/parking fees, usually $4 to $15.
d) The FBOs in Nassau and Freeport may charge ramp fees as well.
e) All persons pay a $15 departure tax, including pilot and co-pilot.

Are there any overtime fees?
There are no overtime fees for private, non-commercial aircraft.

What about experimental aircraft?
A Standardized Validation has been approved for experimental aircrafts, for the purpose of operating the United States or Canada—registered amateur-built aircraft in Bahamian airspace. Please visit www.flying.bahamas.com or call The Bahamas Tourist Office 1-800-327-7678 for a copy of the approval.

Can I bring my pet?
Yes, but you will need an Import Permit. Call Agriculture, 242-325-7502.

Do I need to file a Flight Plan when flying between islands?
No, just be prepared to show your Cruising Permit if there is Customs when you land.

What forms must be filed when departing?
Fill out two outbound General Declaration forms (C7), surrender your copy of the immigration card and pay departure tax of $15 per person.

What kind of Flight Plan do I file when returning to the U.S.?
You will file an International Flight Plan with 1-800-WX-BRIEF or Nassau Radio 124.2, 128.0. Once in the air, you must contact Miami Radio 15 minutes before penetrating the ADIZ, just past Bimini. Contact Flight Service on 126.7. They will give you a discrete transponder code. Do not penetrate the ADIZ without this code.

Is ADCUS on the Flight Plan adequate notice for U.S. Customs?
No, you are required to contact them at least 1 hour before arrival. A phone call is the only way to comply.

Do I have to land at any particular airport in the U.S.?
There are many convenient Florida airports with U.S. Customs.

What numbers must you call for weather information?
Both in the U.S. and The Bahamas call 1-800-WX BRIEF, 242-377-7178 or 242-377-7116.