To fly a private jet internationally, every passenger needs a valid passport and any visas the destination requires. The operator files a CBP eAPIS manifest before each departure into or out of the US, and the first US landing on return must be at an airport with customs. For 2026, the IRS charges $23.40 per passenger for each international arrival and departure. Foreign permits add lead time.
Key takeaways
- Documents are the same as on an airline: a passport book for each person, plus visas, an ESTA or a Canadian eTA where required.
- The operator files the manifest. CBP needs an eAPIS manifest for every international departure and arrival, so your passport details must be final before wheels-up.
- You clear customs at the first US airport. It must be an airport where CBP processing is available, with permission to land arranged in advance.
- US taxes change on international trips. The 7.5% tax and segment fees give way to a $23.40 per passenger arrival and departure tax (2026), except within 225 miles of the US border in Canada or Mexico.
- Permits drive the timeline. Canada and much of the Caribbean move quickly; Mexico now requires central approval of every flight.
What documents do passengers need?
Each passenger needs a valid passport, and in most cases that is the only document you will hand over. US citizens need a passport book, because the passport card is valid only for land and sea crossings, as the State Department's passport FAQ explains. Some countries require several months of validity left on the passport, so check the expiry date early.
Beyond the passport:
- Visas for the destination. Rules depend on each traveler's nationality, not the type of aircraft.
- Canada's eTA. Visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada need an electronic travel authorization (CA$7). US citizens do not need one.
- ESTA travelers flying to the US. This is the trap most often missed. Under the Visa Waiver Program, CBP requires visitors to arrive on a carrier that has signed a VWP agreement. Many charter operators are signatories, and CBP publishes the signatory carrier list. If the operator is not on it, a foreign guest who normally travels on an ESTA needs a US visa. Tell us the nationality of every passenger when you request a quote.
- Minors traveling with one parent. Some countries ask for a consent letter from the absent parent. Carrying one avoids questions.
What is eAPIS and who files it?
eAPIS is the US Customs and Border Protection system for passenger manifests, and on a charter the operator files it, not you. CBP's general aviation FAQ says APIS manifests apply to both arrivals into and departures from the US.
For CBP purposes, a charter is a commercial flight. Federal rules at 19 CFR 122.1 define a commercial aircraft as one carrying passengers "for some payment or other consideration," so the operator follows the commercial process rather than the private one. For private, non-commercial flights, CBP requires the manifest no later than 60 minutes before departure. Either way, the practical rule for you is simple:
- Send full names exactly as printed in the passport, dates of birth, nationality, passport numbers and expiry dates when you confirm the trip.
- A change to the passenger list means a new or amended manifest. Last-minute additions can delay departure.
- Bring the same passport you gave details for. A renewed passport has a new number.
Where can you land when you return to the US?
Your first US landing must be at an airport where CBP can process the flight, and the operator must have permission to land before leaving the foreign airport. CBP's general aviation page says pilots must secure that permission directly with the port of arrival after transmitting a compliant manifest.
US regulations recognize three kinds of airport for international arrivals:
| Airport type | What it is | What it means for your trip |
|---|---|---|
| International airport | A designated port of entry for aircraft, people and goods | Customs is normally available; the simplest choice |
| Landing rights airport | Customs staffed, but each foreign arrival needs specific permission to land | Common at business-aviation airports; the operator requests permission in advance |
| User fee airport | An airport that pays for CBP service so flights can clear there instead of a larger port | Lets you clear customs close to home; service hours may be limited |
The definitions come from 19 CFR 122.1. In practice, CBP officers often meet the aircraft at the FBO, so clearing customs takes minutes rather than the queues of an airline terminal. CBP staffing hours vary by airport, and arrivals outside them may not be possible, so the operator plans the arrival time around them. Some general aviation flights arriving from areas south of the US must also land at specific designated airports listed in 19 CFR 122.24(b).
A related cost: privately operated aircraft need a CBP annual user fee decal, which CBP prices at $38.04 from October 1, 2026. On a charter, the operator deals with the fees that apply to its commercial flights.
What happens at customs on arrival?
Arrival works like an airline arrival, on a smaller scale. Everyone on board, crew included, presents passports to a CBP officer, and bags can be inspected.
- Declare what you bought. Returning US residents normally have an $800 duty-free personal exemption, according to CBP's Know Before You Go guidance.
- Report cash over $10,000. Carrying more than $10,000 in currency or monetary instruments into or out of the US must be reported on FinCEN Form 105. Failing to report can lead to seizure, per CBP's currency guidance.
- Food and plants. Fresh fruit, meat and plants are subject to agriculture inspection. Food waste from the flight counts as international regulated garbage, which must be handled under USDA rules at the arrival airport.
- Pets. Animals must be reported to CBP when the operator requests permission to land, so CDC entry rules can be checked.
Can you clear US customs before you take off?
Sometimes. CBP offers preclearance for general aviation, covering both private aircraft and unscheduled charters, at two locations: Shannon, Ireland, and Oranjestad, Aruba. According to CBP's Preclearance of General Aviation Summary Guide, the aircraft is cleared point to point to a specific US airport approved to handle international regulated garbage, and must fly there directly. The benefit is arriving as if from a domestic flight, with inspection already done.
Preclearance needs an appointment request, the manifest and the US destination in advance. It is worth asking about on a return from Aruba or a transatlantic trip routed via Shannon.
Do you need overflight and landing permits?
Often, yes, and the operator or its trip-support provider handles them. Many countries require foreign charter operators to hold landing permits, and some require permission simply to overfly. Lead times vary from a day to several weeks.
Mexico
Mexico has tightened its rules. Charter operators must hold a validated blanket permit and have their air operator certificate validated by Mexico's civil aviation agency (AFAC). Universal Aviation reports that a new or modified blanket permit can take up to 90 business days, and standard permits need at least 10 business days' notice. Since June 2026, AFAC also requires every flight to receive prior authorization from its central office in Mexico City, supported by an 11-document package, according to AOPA. The passengers on board must match the approved manifest.
What to do: book with an operator that already holds Mexican permits for the aircraft, and finalize the passenger list early.
Canada
Canada is the simplest international trip from the US. For private, company-owned or charter aircraft carrying 15 people or fewer, including crew, the pilot calls the CBSA Telephone Reporting Centre at least two hours and no more than 48 hours before arrival, per CBSA's CANPASS guidance. The aircraft must land at an approved airport of entry during CBSA business hours.
The Caribbean
Each island nation sets its own entry rules, fees and taxes, and most require the first landing at an airport of entry. The Bahamas, for example, processes private aircraft through its Click2Clear system, while charter flights clear on a general declaration. Expect local departure taxes on top of US taxes.
What US taxes apply to an international charter?
International trips swap the domestic taxes for a flat per-passenger charge. The IRS Form 720 instructions set the international arrival and departure tax at $23.40 per person for 2026, for flights that begin or end in the US. The 7.5% transportation tax and the $5.30 domestic segment fee do not apply to the international flight.
There is one major exception. IRS Publication 510 treats travel between the US and any point in Canada or Mexico within 225 miles of the continental US boundary as taxable transportation. Those flights pay the domestic taxes instead. Toronto and Vancouver both sit inside the zone; Cabo San Lucas and Cancún are far outside it.
| Trip (4 passengers, round trip, $30,000 charter price) | US federal taxes (2026) |
|---|---|
| Teterboro to Toronto (inside 225-mile zone) | 7.5% × $30,000 = $2,250, plus 4 × 2 × $5.30 = $42.40. Total $2,292.40 |
| Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas (outside the zone) | 4 passengers × 2 crossings × $23.40. Total $187.20 |
These are US federal taxes only. Foreign airport, passenger and departure taxes are added by the destination. Run your own numbers in the charter tax calculator, estimate the whole trip with the private jet charter cost estimator, and see our guide to federal excise tax on charter for the full rules.
How long does it take to arrange an international charter?
With an operator that already holds the necessary permits, a trip to Canada or the Caribbean can often be arranged in a few days. Mexico and long-haul trips take longer. A practical timeline:
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| At inquiry | Share destination, dates, passenger nationalities and any pets. Confirm the operator's permits and VWP status if needed |
| 1 to 2 weeks out (more for Mexico) | Operator requests landing and overflight permits; you check passport validity and visas |
| 3 to 5 days out | Send final passport details for every passenger |
| 2 to 48 hours before arriving in Canada | Pilot reports to CBSA |
| Before each departure | Operator transmits the eAPIS manifest and secures US permission to land |
| On arrival | Customs and immigration, usually at the FBO |
Check the aircraft can make the trip nonstop on the range explorer. Longer overwater legs often call for a super midsize jet or larger.
Before you go: a short checklist
- Passports valid well beyond the return date, for every passenger.
- Visas, ESTA or eTA confirmed for each nationality.
- Operator confirmed as a VWP signatory if any guest relies on an ESTA.
- Passport details sent, and no changes after the manifest is filed.
- Cash over $10,000 declared, and no fresh food left on board.
- Foreign taxes and fees included in the quote.
If you are new to chartering, our guide on how to charter a private jet covers the basics. For destination ideas, see amazing destinations. When you are ready, request a quote with your passengers' nationalities, and we will match you with operators that hold the permits your trip needs.