Using CBP’s Reimbursable Services Program for Off-Hours International Arrivals

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Reimbursable Services Program (RSP) offers real benefits to international business aircraft operators, providing greater flexibility and scheduling efficiency through arranging off-hours arrivals and customs clearances. However, operators must be mindful of program requirements.

Approval to participate in RSP takes around four months on average. Once cleared, CBP provides training on program requirements and requires the partner company to sign a memorandum of understanding.

Operators may then request customs agents to meet off-hours arrivals in exchange for paying for the agents’ overtime. Elizabeth Dornak, director of aviation for a Fortune 500 company, notes her flight department utilizes RSP for approximately half of its international arrivals back into the U.S.

“We contact CBP about a week out from our expected arrival date, which gives the agency time to arrange the manpower to meet those needs,” Dornak said. “As long as it’s not at the last minute and they have the staff to support our request, it’s a completely painless process.”

Partner companies are invoiced 2-3 weeks after the end of the CBP billing cycle, with payment required through Pay.gov within 15 days. Ryan Flanagan, director of alternative funding programs within CBP’s Office of Field Operations, said that has caused some confusion.

“Once a company receives RSP approval, we’ll schedule an implementation meeting in advance of commencing service to walk them through the process,” Flanagan said. “Sometimes the selectee doesn’t involve their financial contact, though, so that person is surprised when the first bill arrives, and they aren’t set up to pay it.”

Operator delays or cancellations to the scheduled appointment time for an arriving flight may also result in added costs. “Local CBP leadership will advise partners of their minimum cancellation time requirement,” Flanagan said. “If you cancel after that point, you may get charged for a certain number of hours, especially if the officers were already en route.”

While there is no minimum or maximum number of times operators may use RSP, they should also be upfront about their expected scope of services.

“Sometimes an operator will try moving the goalposts,” Flanagan said. “Having an agreement in place does not give them carte blanche to dictate where and when they expect services. CBP still retains that operational autonomy.”

Dornak noted the number of participating operators across all modes of transportation has “grown exponentially” since RSP began in 2016. “There was real recognition that this was needed by our community,” she said. “It’s certainly a valuable resource from the operator perspective, and hopefully it meets the needs of CBP as well.”

“RSP is a tremendous asset for us,” said Flanagan. “With more than 600 program partners enrolled at over 350 locations, we clearly have a successful track record highlighting the benefits of this program to all parties.

“And there is no cost to have the agreement in your back pocket, or any obligation to utilize these services,” he emphasized. “You’ll only be charged when using the program. From the CBP perspective, signing up for RSP is a no-brainer.”

Review NBAA information about U.S. CBP at nbaa.org/customs.