[Username Protected]

If you are not up to speed on the latest on Mexico's APIS regulations, then you better be.

The old email reporting method that existed for about 10 years has been replaced and the present method requires the completion and submission of the ARINC version 1.2C Excel spreadsheet. This spreadsheet has to be submitted to the email address: [email protected] 30 minutes prior to departure. The spreadsheet can also be submitted through the ARINC eGOV portal or through some 3'rd party APIS providers that link to the eGOV portal. However, the use of any other spreadsheet version is no longer accepted.

We have seen that Mexican Immigration at a number of airports are now taking a very hard line on these submissions and verifying that operators are complying with the submission requirement as well as the timing of submission. In addition, they are also checking the submitted data for errors and we are aware of penalty cases being initiated. It appears that at some airports, local immigration officials have access to the central repository of APIS submissions so they can see if the manifest was submitted.

For many years, the Mexican APIS procedure was taken for granted and not a lot of concern was placed on the timeliness and quality. Those days appear to be over under the present government. We are seeing officials at certain airports reviewing the Excel spreadsheets with a fine-tooth comb looking for any errors (content as well as format). Even the most trivial errors are being flagged by Mexican immigration. Pay SPECIAL ATTENTION to the formats for dates and times and that airport codes are in IATA format and not ICAO, as these have gotten some submitters into trouble.

[Username Protected]

Some Apps are issuing notifications:

[Username Protected]

One caveat to be aware of.....

If you use 3'rd party APIS Apps, take note of a caveat that they MAY have. When trying to comply with Mexican regulations on timely submissions and you resubmit your APIS to Mexico Immigration with a new departure time, many Apps will ALSO submit a NEW eAPIS to CBP in the USA at the same time. Under CBP procedures, when you submit a new eAPIS manifest, all prior authorizations (including permission to land) are no longer valid and you have to recontact the CBP port to resecure Permission to Land. Don't get caught by surprise.

[Username Protected]

(Username Protected),
As you know I fly frequently to Mexico, and I can confirm hat Mexico has become quite serious regarding violations at a number of airports. I've been spreading the word as well.

I do have a question regarding the SAT spreadsheet. I always confirm the INM version is sent in Mexico City, and often to the specific airport if required (and keep a copy). What is the SAT spreadsheet? I'm ot sure what that is, and I've never confirmed that it is sent.

Thanks,

[Username Protected]

The SAT spreadsheet comes from articles in Mexico's Customs law, its regulations and its guidelines which state that manifests of aircraft, crew and passengers must be submitted electronically to the Mexican Tax authorities (known as the SAT). There is a completely different Excel spreadsheet that is used for that submission as well as another corresponding set of instructions for data entry format and how the Excel file name must be structured. This Excel file must be sent to another, different, centralized email address