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What is eAPIS?

The Electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS) is a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Web-based computer application that provides for the collection of electronic traveler manifest information from commercial carriers for international travel both into and out of the United States. eAPIS collects and passes electronic manifests to the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS). The system collects data via the Internet so that small carriers can use the public network to submit their electronic manifests.

Participation in eAPIS offers users three main capabilities:

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How do I enroll with eAPIS?

To participate in eAPIS, you must first enroll by following these simple steps:

  1. Access the eAPIS Welcome page at https://eapis.cbp.dhs.gov and select Enroll.
  2. Agree to the Terms and Conditions for eAPIS and select Next.
  3. Complete the information requested about your company and the person who will be the point of contact regarding APIS issues.
  4. Create a password that is between sixteen and thirty-two characters in length and includes at least one numeric character, one upper-case alphabetic character, one lower-case alphabetic character, and one of the following special characters: "~", "!", "@", "#", "$", "%", "^", "&", "*", "(", ")", "-", "_", "+", "=", "{", "}", "[", "]", "\", "|", ";", ":", "/", "?", ".". No character can be repeated consecutively more than two times.
  5. Re-enter your password and select Next.
  6. Review your entries, then select Complete Enrollment to submit your enrollment request.

When you have successfully enrolled with eAPIS you will receive an e-mail message confirming your enrollment and assigning you a sender ID and activation key. The next step is to log in to eAPIS and activate your account.

Note: Your confirmation e-mail may not arrive immediately. If your confirmation e-mail does not arrive within 48 hours, e-mail the system administrator. Be sure that you have provided the correct contact information when you enrolled with eAPIS. The confirmation e-mail message is sent to the e-mail address you provided for the primary point of contact.

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How do I log in to eAPIS?

Enter your sender ID and password in the designated boxes on the eAPIS Welcome page. If this is your first time logging in with this sender ID, you will be prompted to enter an activation key. The activation key is included along with your sender ID in the enrollment confirmation e-mail message. The activation key is valid for a period of thirty days from the date of your e-mail confirmation message. If you do not activate your account within this timeframe, your activation key will expire and you can e-mail the system administrator at eapissupport@cbp.dhs.gov .

If you do not have a working sender ID or password, you will need to enroll with eAPIS. Select Enroll on the eAPIS Welcome page.

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What if I have lost my activation key?

If you have lost your activation key, or if it has expired prior to activating your account, e-mail the system administrator at eapissupport@cbp.dhs.gov for assistance.

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What if I have lost my sender ID?

If you have lost your sender ID, e-mail the system administrator for further instructions.

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What if I have forgotten my password?

If you have forgotten your password complete the following steps to create a new password:

  1. Go to the Reset Password page by selecting the link "Reset your password" on the Welcome page.
  2. Enter your sender ID and a new password. Your password must be between sixteen and thirty-two characters in length and includes at least one numeric character, one upper-case alphabetic character, one lower-case alphabetic character, and one of the following special characters: "~", "!", "@", "#", "$", "%", "^", "&", "*", "(", ")", "-", "_", "+", "=", "{", "}", "[", "]", "\", "|", ";", ":", "/", "?", ".". Your sender ID can not be part of the password, and no character can be repeated consecutively more than two times.
  3. In the next box, re-enter your new password exactly as you entered it in the previous box, and select Save.

It is important for you to remember your password as it cannot be retrieved from the system.

Note: Resetting your password will de-activate your eAPIS account. You will not be able to access eAPIS until you receive your new activation key and reactivate your account.

Using your new password:

Within 48 hours of creating a new password, you should receive an e-mail message containing your sender ID and a new activation key. To reactivate your account, log in with your sender ID and new password, and enter your new activation key when prompted.

Note: The activation key is valid for a period of thirty days from the date of your e-mail confirmation message. If you do not reactivate your account within this timeframe, your activation key will expire and you will have to go through the process of resetting your password again.

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How do I change my password?

To change your password, complete the following steps:

  1. Login using your sender id and current password.
  2. Select the change your password link on the Manifest Options page.
  3. Enter your new password. Your password must be between sixteen and thirty-two characters in length and includes at least one numeric character, one upper-case alphabetic character, one lower-case alphabetic character, and one of the following special characters: "~", "!", "@", "#", "$", "%", "^", "&", "*", "(", ")", "-", "_", "+", "=", "{", "}", "[", "]", "\", "|", ";", ":", "/", "?", ".". Your sender ID can not be part of the password, and no character can be repeated consecutively more than two times.
  4. In the next box, re-enter your new password exactly as you entered it in the previous box and select Save.

Note: It is important for you remember your password as it cannot be retrieved from the system.

Using your new password:

You can use your new password the next time you login to eAPIS. Your account does not need to be re-activated.

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How do I upload a manifest I created offline?

eAPIS can be used to upload a manifest to CBP if the file meets the following criteria:

  1. A text file (.txt) no greater than two megabytes
  2. Data in UN/EDIFACT format

To upload a file:

  1. From the Manifest Options page select Upload Manifest.
  2. Locate the file by selecting Browse.
  3. When prompted, select a file and select Next.
  4. Preview the content of the file and verify that it is the correct file, then select Submit.

Confirmation Number: When your manifest data has been successfully submitted, eAPIS will respond with an on-screen confirmation message and a confirmation number. Print this screen for your records and for future reference.

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How can I be sure that CBP has received my traveler manifest data?

When you have successfully submitted your manifest data, eAPIS will respond with an on-screen confirmation message and a confirmation number. Print this screen for your records and for future reference.

eAPIS sends your manifest data to the CBP Advance Passenger Information System (APIS) for processing. When APIS has processed your data, an e-mail message will be sent to the e-mail address you gave for your sender ID confirming CBP's receipt of the transmission. Note: This e-mail is a confirmation of the receipt of the data and not of its validity.

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How do I contact CBP regarding eAPIS?

Contact your National APIS Account Manager or e-mail the system administrator.

APIS Account Manager Contact Information:

Scheduled Commercial Airlines
Name Email Address Responsibilities
Scheduled Commercial Airlines APIS Support Mailbox APISNationalAccountManagers@cbp.dhs.gov Scheduled Commercial Airlines
General Aviation
Name Email Address Responsibilities
General Aviation Support Mailbox GAsupport@cbp.dhs.gov General Aviation
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Which system administrator should I contact?

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Is the eAPIS application 508 compliant?

eAPIS is 508 compliant and therefore accessible to everyone. Federal law mandates that government applications and Web sites meet a certain level of standards to allow users to employ special technologies such as screen readers. The following design requirements have been included in the development of this application: hidden navigation shortcuts, hidden text, alt text for all images, unique page titles, and the ability to complete the process without JavaScript enabled. For more information regarding 508 compliance and Web accessibility please visit http://www.w3c.org.

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