Importing a private aircraft
Bringing a personal aircraft across borders: airworthiness certificate, customs entry, FAA / EASA / CASA registration transfer.
Checklist
- 01
Pre-arrival permit: most destinations require advance customs notification (US APIS, EU eAPIS, Australia ABF Maritime Arrival Report-equivalent).
- 02
Airworthiness: destination civil-aviation authority certifies (FAA, EASA, CASA, CAAC). Some require pre-purchase inspection at destination.
- 03
Customs entry: declare on arrival at Port of Entry airport. Hangar storage on cleared customs.
- 04
Re-registration: home-country deregistration + destination registration. FAA Form 8050-1 + IRS Form 8023 for US imports.
- 05
Tax: VAT/GST applies on imported value unless exempt (used 12+ months abroad in some EU member states under TOR).
Countries mentioned
Sources
VERIFIED · 2026-05-09
Report a correction