International Private Jet Travel: Passports, APIS & International Charter Checklist

1. Valid Passport

All passengers on international private jet charter require a valid passport. Most destination countries require the passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond the travel dates, not just beyond the entry date. A passport expiring in 3 months that is technically valid at entry will be rejected at immigration in many countries.

US citizens: Verify passport validity well before booking any international charter. Renewal processing times fluctuate but often take 6 to 10 weeks through standard channels.

2. Visa Requirements

Visa requirements depend on your citizenship and your destination. US citizens do not require a visa for most Caribbean, Mexican, EU Schengen zone, and many Central and South American destinations for short stays. Requirements change. Verify current entry requirements with the destination country's consulate or the US Department of State Travel website before your trip.

Destinations that commonly require advance visa arrangements for US citizens: China, India, Russia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and several African nations. These visas typically take 5 to 15 business days to process.

3. APIS: Advance Passenger Information System

APIS is the US government system that collects passenger identity data before international departures and arrivals. On commercial flights, APIS data is collected at check-in. On private charter, the operator submits APIS data electronically on behalf of all passengers.

APIS submission is required at minimum 60 minutes before departure for international flights from the US. For US-bound flights, it is required before the flight departs the foreign airport. Your operator will collect full name (as it appears on your passport), date of birth, passport number, passport country of issue, and passport expiry date.

4. CBP Form 6059B: Customs Declaration

All passengers arriving in the United States from international destinations must complete a CBP Form 6059B customs declaration. On commercial flights, flight attendants distribute this form in the air. On private charter, CBP may have it available at the FBO, or the form can be completed via the CBP One mobile application before arrival.

5. Agricultural Declarations

US customs prohibits or restricts the import of many food items, plant material, and animal products. The customs declaration form requires disclosure of all food items and agricultural products. Prohibited items found at inspection can result in fines. When in doubt, leave it behind or declare it.

6. Country Entry Requirements

Many countries require proof of specific vaccinations, travel insurance, or sufficient funds for the length of stay. Requirements for the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America are often minimal for US citizens. Requirements for more distant international destinations should be verified with the specific country's embassy.

The licensed Part 135 operator handling your international charter coordinates: landing permits at the destination airport, overflight permits for airspace transited en route, flight plan filing, Customs and Border Protection notification for US departures and arrivals, APIS submission on behalf of all passengers, and crew documentation. Passengers need passports, visas if required, and a completed customs declaration on return. The operator manages the aviation side. The passenger manages the immigration side.

Landing Permits

Most international airports require the operator to obtain a landing permit before the aircraft arrives. Permit requirements vary by country. Some destinations issue permits within hours. Others require 24 to 72 hours of lead time. A few require 5 to 7 business days.

Landing permits are the primary reason international charter bookings benefit from advance notice. A 24-hour booking to a destination with a 72-hour permit requirement is not achievable. Hogani Jets confirms permit lead times at the initial inquiry stage.

Overflight Permits

Every country whose airspace the aircraft transits requires an overflight permit. Transatlantic routes cross multiple sovereign airspaces. The operator or their handling agent coordinates all overflight permits as part of flight planning. This is invisible to the passenger.

Crew Documentation

The crew carries their own passports, pilot licenses, medical certificates, and aircraft documentation including airworthiness certificates and registration documents. The crew also holds APIS credentials and coordinates directly with customs at each destination.

Traveling with Pets Internationally

Pets on international private jets require health certificates issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 10 days of departure. The destination country may also require its own veterinary import permit, rabies vaccination proof, and microchip documentation.

The UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii have strict quarantine requirements for incoming animals that can range from days to months. These requirements apply regardless of how the animal arrives, including private jet. Verify entry requirements with the destination country's agriculture or veterinary authority well in advance.
Pets carry the longest paperwork trail health certificates and import permits often need weeks of notice, and flying with a pet sets out what each destination asks for.

ATA Carnet: Traveling with Equipment or High-Value Items

An ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows temporary import and export of goods without paying duties. It is commonly used for exhibition equipment, professional gear, musical instruments, and fine art traveling internationally.

Carnet preparation typically takes 5 to 10 business days. For clients traveling with high-value items for business, exhibitions, or personal use, Hogani Jets recommends engaging a specialist customs broker for Carnet documentation before booking the charter.

Firearms

International travel with firearms on a private jet involves strict documentation requirements at both the US departure and the destination country. Most Caribbean and European countries prohibit passenger import of firearms entirely. For clients with firearm transport requirements, consult a specialist aviation legal adviser and verify both US export rules and the destination country's import laws.

Fees and Taxes on International Charters

Federal Excise Tax (FET) at 7.5 percent applies to charter flights that depart from the US and land within 225 nautical miles of the US border, including most of Canada and parts of Mexico. International flights departing or arriving in the US carry an international head tax of $23.40 per passenger (2026). Hogani Jets includes all applicable taxes in the quoted charter price. Mexican, Caribbean, and Dominican Republic landing and handling fees are included in the all-in Hogani Jets quote. Weather-related operational costs such as de-icing are the only costs that can arise after quoting.

Hogani Jets manages the operator-side documentation requirements at booking: landing permits, overflight permits, APIS coordination, and customs notification. For each international inquiry, Hogani Jets confirms destination-specific document requirements and lead times before the charter is confirmed.

Passenger-side requirements, including passport validity, visa applications, pet documentation, and customs declarations, are the responsibility of the passenger. Hogani Jets provides a document checklist at booking for every international charter.

Charters coordinated through Hogani Jets are facilitated through licensed Part 135 direct air carriers who hold full operational control and regulatory compliance for every flight. 

Contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573.