Universal Weather and Aviation has become the first mission management company to be accepted into the US Customs & Border Protection Reimbursable Services Programme (RSP).

Universal is now eligible to request and prepay for CBP overtime services at approved US ports where hours of operation and overtime are limited. Universal is currently operational at 11 ports, with four more to be completed soon.

RSP enables partnerships between CBP and private sector or government entities, allowing CBP to provide additional inspection services upon the request of stakeholders. Since 2013 when the programme began, there have only been 254 applicants approved, comprising airlines, cargo operators, FBOs, charter management and some corporate operators at their home base.

“This is a huge game-changer for our customers and a mark of distinction for Universal,” says global regulatory services lead Laura Everington. “RSP allows you to avoid the stress and risk of making additional stops to clear Customs when your intended port is closed for clearance services. You'll also save money and reduce the complexity of making an additional stop, landing, and take off.”

Customers working with Universal Trip Support can take advantage of Universal's RSP partner status at Austin Bergstrom International airport in Texas; Bangor International airport in Maine; Bradley International airport in Connecticut; Charleston International airport in South Carolina; Louisville Muhammad Ali International airport in Kentucky; Reno Tahoe International airport in Nevada; Salt Lake City International airport in Utah; Tampa International and Treasure Coast International airports in Florida; Teterboro airport in New Jersey and Will Rogers World airport in Oklahoma. Activation of four additional ports, namely Los Angeles International airport in California and Farmingdale Republic, Long Island Mac Arthur and Francis S. Gabreski airports in New York, will be completed soon.

“CBP clearance hours have been severely restricted the last few years and are only getting more so, making it very challenging for operators conducting business overseas to come back home and clear US Customs at their desired location,” says global regulatory services manager Adam Hartley. “As an RSP partner, we will be eligible to request overtime services that otherwise would not be available. RSP allows us to add airports and grow our programme. Moving forward, we'll expand into more locations where our customers frequently need customs overtime solutions.”