SR22
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 50; Flight Crew Total 1200; Flight Crew Type 400
Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors
I was operating as Pilot-in-Command of a privately-owned Part 91 flight from [Canada] to KHPN after a personal weekend with three passengers. As per the international flight procedures; I had filed US CBP (Customs and Border Protection) eAPIS (Electronic Advance Passenger Information System) manifests and ICAO flight plans for both the flight into Canada and the return flight back into the US. Additionally; I coordinated my arrival into Canada with Canpass and landed with no issues. Upon my return flight to the US; I obtained my IFR clearance from clearance and was handed off to Boston center during my US/Canada border crossing continuing on my filed route to KHPN. This was my first Canada/US flight involving a border crossing/landing.Upon my shutdown in front of the US Customs office at KHPN; I was very informed that; in spite of my filing the appropriate eAPIS Arrival Manifest and ICAO Flight Plan; as well as obtaining my international IFR ATC Clearance; I hadn't received specific permission to enter US Airspace from the US CBP. I explained that it was my understanding that my eAPIS Arrival manifest and subsequent international IFR flight plan clearance had constituted permission and notification of my arrival into the US; which I now know is incorrect. I discussed with the Customs officer the preferred US CBP Arrival procedures; as well as the requirement for pilots to call and directly coordinate with the Customs office at the intended US Airport of Entry. After myself and all my passengers were vetted; I was given a verbal warning and was told that any future violations would not be tolerated.I thought I had completed the proper procedural research and eApis does warn you that if a confirmation email is not received then a call to the CBP port of entry office is necessary. Having said that; further procedures to follow are not easily listed on the site. I did receive an email but failed to read it as was under the mistaken understanding that the email confirmed proper manifest transmission/receipt.
SR22 pilot was advised by customs personnel in HPN that he had not followed proper procedures in his flight to the U.S. from Canada.