U.S. Customs staffing issues affecting clearing @ Northway & Ketchikan

[tedwaltman1]

There have been numerous reports of U.S. Customs staffing issues affecting pilots trying to clear into Alaska.

Ketchikan customs advised one pilot to file eApis at least 3 days in advance!

Northway continues to offer clearance only at 9 am and 3 pm. Here’s what the supervising agent emailed one pilot:

“Northway is a landing rights airport. You must file an EAPIS for Northway and then you will receive a denied landing rights email. This is standard procedure so that all aircraft contact us directly after we have your airplane and personal info in the system. Once the officer has completed what they need to do, they will contact you and make arrangements for processing at Northway at either 9 am or 3 pm daily unless you opt for a bypass to Anchorage.

This can be accomplished IF you can make it to Anchorage with a tech stop only for fuel in Tok.

Northway inspections are completed based on staffing so there is always a chance for delays or unavailability.”

The direct line for Northway is 907-774-2247; Main office is 907-774-2252 or 2242.

Not to confuse things, but the supervisory Custom’s agent in Anchorage said this:

1. File eAPIS for Northway
2. You will be denied landing rights but now the officers have your contact information.
3. When the officers finish what they are required to they will reach out to you, with the contact that was provided through eAPIS.
4. From there you have two choices
   1. Either make arrangement for clearing there at Northway at either 0900 or 1500.
   2. If those times don’t work for you can ask for a bypass to ANC. If you will need to stop in Tok, AK for fuel make sure that you bring that to the officers’ attention when they contact you via your contact info in eAPIS. If that is the case, then from Tok you will fly directly to ANC for you US Customs inspection and clearance, and then welcome back to the US.

Alcan/Northway has created a work around for the staffing by restricting the hours of aircraft clearing. Anything outside of those hours there has been another work around put in place by requesting bypass and clearing in ANC.”

Northway GA Aviation Airport Fact Sheet: (link here)

Above information has also been posted on http://fly2ak.com

 

[Speedo]

Just one data point to add: I cleared at KTN on 6/13/23. No issues or delays. I’d spoken with Customs twice before arriving, and they were very easy to work with. On arrival the officer asked about food I had on board (wanted to know about fresh fruit or meat), alcohol, wanted to see my pilot certificate and medical, the aircraft registration, and did the Geiger counter check. It was swift and the officer was pleasant.

 

[aktango58]

Will they allow the bypass to Fairbanks for those not going to Anchorage? Sometimes the weather to Fairbanks is far better than anchorage from Northway.

Also, Gulkana has credit card fuel and a more direct line from Beaver Creek up the Nebesna and turn right at the road.

Options for folks to ask if they are trying to make it work.

 

[tedwaltman1]

Yes, I’ve heard the customs folks at Fairbanks are excellent to work with, even going so far as to stay after hours for one gentleman who was delayed by headwinds.

I heard from another couple of folks who recently cleared at Northway at the 3pm time. It seems one won’t know of a “delay” or “can’t meet you issue” until after you file your eApis.

 

[Broncoformudv]

Yes still able to go direct to Anchorage or Fairbanks with a fuel stop along the way. Cleared Anchorage yesterday coming back from Dawson City, super quick and simple process.

 

[tedwaltman1]

“Bronco,” when you cleared at ANC did you land at the International (how was that) or land at Lake Hood (taxi advice for folks that I can post please)?

Thank you!

 

[Broncoformudv]

We landed at Lake Hood on the gravel strip and taxied over to International. Anchorage tower told us right where to go. Called customs with the cell phone from the airplane and they came right out to meet us.

Plus Anchorage customs is open 24/7.

 

[mvivion]

And, BTW, I've landed small airplanes at Anchorage International many times, with never a gripe from ATC. They seem to have really great controllers there. So, I wouldn't be afraid to land there for Customs.

It is Charley airspace, so Transponder and ADS-B Out is required, while those are NOT at Lake Hood strip, which is in Delta airspace.

MTV

 

[tedwaltman1]

Northway has new US Customs hours for 2024:

"Northway Airport is a landing rights airport. Arrivals can be scheduled between 10:00AM – 2:00PM Alaska time, 7 days a week by contacting the Alcan Port of Entry at 907-774-2242/2252 and scheduling with a CBP Officer. Pilots should contact the Alcan Port of Entry by phone between 7:30AM and 9:00AM Alaska Time on the day of arrival to schedule an inspection between the hours of 10:00AM and 2:00PM.“

I also added a new taxi diagram for clearing customs at Anchorage International. You can land at Lake Hood gravel strip which is MUCH easier than getting sequenced in amongst airliners at Anchorage International. See the below image for taxi instructions (Thank you S. Smith for this tip).

 

[tedwaltman1]

A huge "Thank You" to Asa D for today's customs report. He was heading N to Alaska.

"Northway is as described on your website (Fly2AK Website), generally not clearing there but if they have the staffing they will clear between 10-2. Other wise offer Tok bypass.

We tried to clear at Skagway but they said no staffing for that either, try Juneau. So Skagway is now the same as Northway basically. We were hoping to fly the coast from Skagway north but switching back to TOK then PALH.

Skagway said with a few days notice they might could staff for clearing planes but no guarantees and they recommended sticking to the places with customs at the airports - Ketchikan, Juneau, Anchorage, Fairbanks."

 

[jrussl]

A huge "Thank You" to Asa D for today's customs report. He was heading N to Alaska.

"Northway is as described on your website (Fly2AK Website), generally not clearing there but if they have the staffing they will clear between 10-2. Other wise offer Tok bypass.

We tried to clear at Skagway but they said no staffing for that either, try Juneau. So Skagway is now the same as Northway basically. We were hoping to fly the coast from Skagway north but switching back to TOK then PALH.

Skagway said with a few days notice they might could staff for clearing planes but no guarantees and they recommended sticking to the places with customs at the airports - Ketchikan, Juneau, Anchorage, Fairbanks."

This is such BS that I can hardly stand it. There....now I feel better.