CBP encourages travellers to prepare for international summer trips

CBP encourages travellers to prepare for international summer trips.

Whether traveling by air, land, rail or by sea, this summer, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recommends all travellers to familiarise themselves with all new technologies that make it easier for them to access the US or to leave the US again. The CBP reminds travellers of the rules and regulations regarding international travel and crossing the border and advises the traveller to get to know them well.
The CBP continues to make efforts to arrive at the international arrivals hall in a paperless, efficient and traveller-friendly environment, said Commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske. International travellers have more technology at their disposal like automated passport control kiosks and the Mobile Passport App to speed up their arrival while maintaining the highest safety standards.

Two different types of kiosks

Travellers arriving this summer at airports will notice that there are two different types of kiosks to accelerate their arrival in the US, namely 'The United States Global Entry' and 'Automated Passport Control' (APC). Global Entry, a CBP-trusted passenger system, which provides for accelerated approval, for unauthorised travellers and low-risk travellers arriving in the US. The members of Global Entry are able to bypass the rows of traditional CBP inspection at the 60 airports where the kiosks are located. US citizens, Canadian citizens, legal permanent residents and returning international travellers under the Visa Waiver Programme can use more than 1,300 APC kiosks located at 42 airports worldwide to speed up their arrival. Travellers can use the 'self-service kiosks' to submit their customs declaration form and biographical information.

Mobile Passport Control

Travellers arriving at one of the 12 international airports (ATL, DEN, DFW, EWR, FLL, JFK, MIA, MCO, ORD, SEA, SFO, and SJC) also have the opportunity to submit their customs declaration and biographical data via mobile phone to be served by Mobile Passport Control (MPC). MPC is the first automated app that accelerates access to America. US and Canadian citizens can submit their information in advance to the CBP via this app in order to arrive. Android and iPhone users can download the Mobile Passport app for free from the Google Play Store and/or the Apple App Store.

At APC and MPC, prior approval is not required, they are free to use and they do not collect new passenger information. This system allows CBP officials to keep less busy with administrative tasks and to focus more on law enforcement operations. As a result, passengers will experience shorter waiting times through faster processing. Due to the expansion of Trusted Traveller Programmes, APC and MPC, average latency has fallen by 3% on the top 10 airports last year.

Border Wait Time app

When travelling to America with a car, for example, you are advised to download the Border Wait Time app. This app shows the estimated waiting times of different border crossings so travellers can see where they can best cross the border. The waiting times for pedestrians, passenger and commercial cars are divided into; standard, SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, Ready Lane, and so forth. Travellers can download this app for free from the Google Play Store and/or the Apple App Store.

I-94 and I-94W

The CBP advises all foreign travellers (travellers who plan to travel more than 40 kilometres from the border or want to stay for more than 30 days in the US) and who are required an I-94 or I-94W (Visa Waiver), to obtain the essential documents far in advance instead of waiting until the day of departure to prevent delays at the border. At least one week in advance. All travellers requesting an I-94 or I-94W may be asked for financial solvency, proof of residency outside of the US and they must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient ties with their country of origin and that they do not have their home abroad or they are planning to leave.
Due to the expansion of Trusted Traveller Programmes, APC and MPC, average latency has fallen by 3% on top 10 airports last year.

Border Wait Time app

When traveling to America with a car, for example, you are advised to download the Border Wait Time app. This app shows the estimated waiting times of different border crossings so travellers can see where they can cross the border preferably. The waiting times for pedestrians, passenger and commercial cars are divided into; standard, SENTRI, NEXUS, FAST, Ready Lane, and so forth. Travellers can download this app for free from the Google Play Store and/or the Apple App Store.

Travel Checklist

* Make sure you have all the necessary documents prior to your trip.
* All citizens of the countries covered by the Visa Waiver Programme must ensure that they have an E-Passport and an approved ESTA before flying to the US. Please check our FAQ for more information:
* For people traveling with a Visa to the US by air or boat, the CBP has automated an I-94 form, so you do not have to fill in any more paperwork.
* Indicate what you are taking to America and what you will bring back from the US. Also, anything purchased in a tax-free shop. For example, some things can just be taken like personal or gift items. Do you want to sell items then they need to be declared.
* You must know the difference between prohibited goods (which are prohibited by law in the US) and limited goods (goods that require a special permit to take into the US).
* Do not bring any fruit, meat, dairy, poultry products and/or firewood to the US without prior checking to see if this is allowed.
* Be aware that CBP officials may check you and your personal possessions without having to make an order. For example, they can search your luggage or car.
* Check the waiting times at the border crossings. Try planning your trip during a quieter period, or go to a border crossing which is the least busy and download the Border Wait Time app.
* Apply for your ESTA on our website!