A survey of over 150 flight planners, pilots, fixed based operators, corporate executives, and private jet owners back in 2015 at the National Business Aviation Association’s annual meeting in Las Vegas revealed demand for a customs facility that would improve safety while allowing private jet travelers to save time and money. Almost 90% of respondents reported they would support and regularly utilize a world-class customs experience in Santa Maria, CA.

Flash forward a few years and demand for the best customs experience on the West Coast has only grown larger. The General Aviation community has spoken and lined up behind our campaign to let U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) know that we are ready for them. 

And in 2021, with the support of over a dozen private, corporate, and charter jet owners, various key local and regional stakeholders including the City of Santa Maria, a busy international agricultural concern that flies regularly to Santa Maria from Canada, and California Governor, Gavin Newsom, CBP approved our application and clearance services will launch in the first quarter of 2024. 

In preparation for the opening of SMX Customs and with an unwavering commitment to the comfort and convenience of users, the airport is engaged in an extensive renovation of the building dedicated for this purpose.

As you can see, the story of customs at Santa Maria is just getting started.

See you soon at SMX Customs!