Changes to U.S. Customs Laws

[LiveFreeorDie]

Got this from my travel agent today.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency Requirements Effective October 4.

Please be advised that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency has instituted a new requirement for international travellers departing from, arriving in, or flying over the United States. The legislation, which will take effect tomorrow, October 4, 2005 requires all passengers to supply Advance Passenger Information (API) when travelling into or out of the United States.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency will require airlines to supply additional details for travellers entering the U.S. This information includes passenger country of residence and complete destination address in the U.S., including ZIP code. Travellers should have this information on hand and be prepared to supply it upon request at check-in.

For smoother travel we advise that you print our your itinerary so you will have the requested information on hand. Please allow yourself extra time for these additional security requirements, especially for the first several weeks of inception. Be aware that although airlines are currently preparing their procedures for these new requirements they have not yet announced changes to their recommended check-in times.

Information has been coming in from each airline with their position on collecting the new U.S. Customs and Border Protection information.

British Airways in order to alleviate international check-in lines offers the following:

-Your Travel Agent can take the information for your next trip now and send it to BA in your reservation,
-You can opt to go on the Manage My Travel page on the BA website yourself and provide the information,
-You can provide it at the airport at check-in.

We are gathering the information we are receiving and will be updating you over the coming days of our policies and procedures.