CARICOM Electronic Advanced Passenger Information System (eAPIS)

CARICOM Electronic Advanced Passenger Information System (eAPIS) is an automated electronic, web-based data interchange application system established for aviation and maritime operators that have the capability of enhancing border security over the Region by supplying Law Enforcement Officers with data on passengers and crewmembers prior to arrival and departure from CARICOM Member States. It allows the Aviation/Maritime Carriers an electronic means of uploading and transmitting their passenger and crew information online. This is available to these carriers at the CARICOM eAPIS website or https://caricomeapis.org.

Legislation requires all Aviation and Maritime carriers operating inbound and outbound to electronically transmit APIS data on all passengers and crewmembers to CARICOM IMPACS:

• Aviation carriers (Private and Commercial) must electronically transmit their passenger data no later than forty (40) minutes prior to the flight’s departure;
• Commercial Sea Carriers must electronically transmit their passenger data within twenty-four (24) hours of a vessel’s arrival into the region and one (1) hour for departure within the Region.

CARICOM Electronic Advance Cargo Information (eACIS)

CARICOM Electronic Advance Cargo Information (eACIS) is a critical part of the World Customs Organization’s (WCO), Standards to Secure and Facilitate Trade (SAFE) Framework as one of the “four (4) core elements”. The WCO states that the “Framework harmonizes the advance electronic cargo information requirements on inbound, outbound and transit shipments”.

At the 13th Special Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government on April 5th, 2008, the decision was made to establish an Advance Cargo Information System (ACIS) for the region.

The Advanced Cargo Information System (ACIS) project was funded under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Crime and Security Cooperation Project entitled: ‘Strengthening CARICOM Capacity to Prevent and Detect Illegal Activity at its Borders and to Enable Increased Prosecution and Higher Conviction Rates’.

BENEFITS OF eACIS

• Deemed as an integral and critical component of border security, forming part of the first line of defense against border security threats using its capability to pre-screen and profile cargo with the use of risk management techniques.
• Enable Member States with The Automated System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA) to receive Advance Cargo Information in electronic format through a centralized portal to assist in identifying high-risk shipments that could threaten the safety and security of the region.
• Allow customs authorities to examine cargo manifests in advance of their arrival at ports throughout the region and to determine if or what level of intervention is required.
• The system will further enhance intelligence sharing, improved cargo reporting and compliance, greater collaboration and co-operation and maximized use of resources Customs Administration using systems other than ASYCUDA can benefit from ACIS as interface requirements between non-ASYCUDA systems can be developed and implemented by these Member States.