US Customs & Border Protection

US Customs & Border Protection

Valley International Airport (HRL) is pleased to offer U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) clearance from 8am-4pm, Monday-Friday as a “User Fee” airport. Requirements for Private Aircraft Arriving and Departing the United States.

Effective June 17, 2013: Overflight Exemption Process

HRL CBP Office Telephone (956) 430-8622
Valley International Airport CBP Port Number 2383

Landing at VIA
In order to land at Valley International Airport, any private aircraft arriving in the United States from certain origination points south of the United States must apply for an overflight exemption. If the request is for an exemption covering a number of flights over a period of one year (same aircraft, crew and group of passengers), it must be approved at least 30 days before the anticipated arrival. If the request is for an exemption covering a single flight, it must be approved at least 15 days before the anticipated arrival.

Customs Forms
The request must be signed by either the requesting individual or an officer of the company and be notarized if sent via regular mail, or witnessed by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer if presented ahead of time at another airport of entry.

Include a cover letter with the completed form. Conclude the cover letter with a statement indicating that the information supplied is accurate to the best of your knowledge. On the cover letter include the following:

Whether this is a single flight request, or a number of flights.
Reasons for the request for an overflight exemption. (e.g. taking a commercial flight, closer to final destination, longer runway, etc.)
Print and fill out the following 2 forms:

CBP_Form_442

CBP_Form_442A

Port Director Letter:

For those pilots flying from Mexico desiring to overfly a designated Port of Entry and fly direct to HRL (KHRL), please check the following links for sample letter to the Port Director and other forms for your reference Port Director Letter Sample

Next Steps
If sending request by regular mail, please mail to:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Progreso Port of Entry
Attn: Port Director
7801 South International Blvd.
Donna, Texas 78537

If mailing, keep in mind that the request needs to be approved 15 days before arrival for a single entry flight or 30 days for multiple entry flights. It is recommended to plan ahead, and fill out the application on your next trip to a designated port of entry.

Mon-Fri 6am-10pm
15 days before single aircraft arrival.
30 days before for multiple aircraft arrivals.

BRING A COPY OF THE COVER LETTER AND THE FORMS WITH THE REST OF THE ENTRY DOCUMENTS.

Once the request is granted, the commander of a private aircraft arriving from Mexico shall notify HRL-CBP at (956) 430-8629 at least 60 minutes before crossing the U.S. – Mexican border or before crossing over a point of the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic Coast north of 30 degrees north latitude.

All overflights must be conducted pursuant to an instrument flight plan filed with the FAA or equivalent foreign aviation authority prior to commencement of the overflight.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection must also be notified of any changes to the condition in which the request was granted.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends that the requestor present the request at the CBP office in Harlingen as the signing of the request must be notarized or witnessed by a CBP Officer.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection station is located between gate 1 and the control tower on the north corner of the International Arrivals Terminal.

Private planes and corporate planes please park inside the yellow marked box in front of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility. Park and proceed to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection area for general aviation with your documents, passengers, and baggage.

Valley International Airport is a “user fee” clearance airport, however, until further notice and for the convenience of our customers, there is no fee during the normal hours of operations.