CARICOM’s electronic Advance Passenger Information System (eAPIS) portal was decommissioned Sept. 30, 2026, and replaced by the MDEX platform Oct. 1. Business aviation operators traveling to participating Caribbean destinations must now use MDEX for portal-based passenger and crew reporting.

The reporting requirement hasn’t changed, but operators filing directly must register for a new account, complete testing and receive approval before making live submissions. Those using a trip support provider should confirm their filing arrangements have transitioned to the new system.

What operators need to know

• New platform: MDEX replaced CARICOM’s previous eAPIS portal Oct. 1, 2026. Existing login credentials no longer work.
• Account approval: Direct filers must complete at least two valid test submissions and receive approval before submitting live manifests.
• Filing deadline: Passenger and crew information must be submitted no later than 40 minutes before departure.
• Third-party filings: Trip support providers can file on behalf of operators using MDEX Agent accounts.
• Automated submissions: Legacy eAPIS web services are scheduled for decommissioning Dec. 31, 2026.

What should operators do before their next flight?

First, confirm who will submit the APIS manifest.

Operators filing directly must register through the MDEX portal, complete the required testing and contact MDEX support for production approval. Creating an account does not automatically authorize live submissions.

Operators using a trip support provider should verify that the provider is managing MDEX filings and confirm who is responsible for submitting the information and verifying acceptance.

“The biggest risk is assuming the transition is automatic. If you’re filing directly, creating an account isn’t enough. You still need to complete testing and receive approval. Operators should resolve that before their next flight rather than discovering a problem when they’re ready to depart,” said Juan Muniz, manager of regulatory services for World Fuel | Universal Trip Support.

What if the flight changes or is canceled?

Passenger changes, revised departure times and cancellations can complicate APIS reporting, particularly when changes occur close to departure.

Operators should establish who is responsible for communicating revised information and confirming whether another submission is necessary.

According to CARICOM IMPACS’s official MDEX FAQs, the platform currently does not provide a function for reporting the cancellation of a flight after APIS has been submitted.

The published guidance does not specify an alternative cancellation procedure. Operators should coordinate with their filing provider or MDEX support when this occurs.

“Business aviation schedules change, sometimes close to departure. Operators need to know who is managing those changes in the APIS filing process and make sure the information submitted reflects the actual operation,” said Muniz.

Which Caribbean destinations use MDEX?

CARICOM IMPACS identifies 19 participating countries and territories:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• British Virgin Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Curaçao
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Jamaica
• Montserrat
• St. Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turks and Caicos Islands

MDEX does not replace country-specific customs and immigration procedures or applicable U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) eAPIS requirements.

Official MDEX resources

• MDEX portal – Account registration and submissions.
• Official MDEX guidance – Filing instructions, FAQs and technical support.
• CARICOM IMPACS transition announcement – Official notice of the eAPIS decommissioning.

For technical assistance, contact CARICOM IMPACS at apis-support@impacsjrcc.org or +1 (246) 538-7900.