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