Definition
A request entered in the remarks section of an international flight plan, asking Air Traffic Control to notify U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the flight's expected arrival. It is used by pilots arriving in the United States from a foreign country who need customs officers to meet the aircraft at the airport of entry.
Plain English
A note on an international flight plan that tells ATC to let customs officers know the flight is coming, so officers are at the airport when the aircraft lands.
Context Anchor
Seen in international flight planning, border-crossing procedures, airport arrival instructions, and communications about entering the country by aircraft.
Derivation
Advise comes from older French and Latin words connected with informing or giving notice. In this phrase it means “notify,” not “ask for advice.” Customs refers to the government authority that controls entry of people, aircraft, and goods across a border.
Why Pilots Care
Failure to advise customs properly can result in delays, fines, or legal issues upon landing.
Intuition Check
Do not read “advise” as “get advice from.” Here it means “notify.” Do not read “customs” as local habits or practices; here it means the government border authority.
Example Sentence 1
When filing the flight plan from Nassau to Fort Lauderdale, the pilot wrote 'ADCUS' in the remarks section to advise customs of the arrival.
Example Sentence 2
When filing the return flight plan, the crew added the requirement to advise customs thirty minutes prior to landing.