A Smooth Flight: Applying Cbp At Airports

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a program that prevents people from entering the United States illegally or bringing anything harmful or illegal into the country. CBP has implemented facial biometrics into the entry processes at all international airports and into the exit processes at multiple airport locations. CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs provide expedited travel for pre-approved, low-risk travelers through dedicated lanes and kiosks. Global Entry is one such program, allowing expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members proceed to the Global Entry lanes, where processing technology will be used to verify their membership. Another option for travelers is the Global Entry Mobile App, which enables members to validate their arrival to the U.S. on their iOS or Android device prior to entering the Federal Inspection Services area.

CBP Preclearance: CBP officers at foreign airports to inspect travellers before boarding US-bound flights

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance is a strategic program that involves stationing CBP officers at designated foreign airports to inspect travellers before they board US-bound flights. This process allows travellers to bypass CBP and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspections upon arrival in the US and proceed directly to their connecting flight or final destination.

CBP Preclearance has been in operation since 1952 and is currently available at 15 locations in 6 countries: Ireland (Dublin and Shannon), Aruba, Bermuda, the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi), the Bahamas (Nassau), and Canada (Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg). In 2019, CBP officers stationed abroad pre-cleared 22 million travellers, representing over 16% of all commercial air travellers to the United States.

The benefits of CBP Preclearance include:

• No security or waiting upon arrival in the US: Travellers can skip CBP and TSA inspection lines and proceed directly to their connecting flight or destination.
• Easier domestic connections: Travellers can accept tighter connection windows at US airports and are less likely to miss their domestic connections.
• Cost savings: Access to less expensive US domestic gates and more flexible arrival times at US airports.
• Increased US market access: Airlines can establish new routes to desirable US destinations, meeting the growing demand for travel to the US.
• New US destinations: Direct routes to over 160 US airports are possible, regardless of whether they have a CBP port of entry.
• Enhanced security: CBP Preclearance bolsters the safety and security of all travellers while facilitating efficient trade and travel.
• Greater collaboration: There is increased collaboration and coordination between the US and host governments through daily interaction with local law enforcement and other government authorities.

The process for implementing CBP Preclearance involves three fundamental agreements:

• Bilateral Agreement: An agreement between CBP and the host government that establishes the parameters of Preclearance operations, including CBP authorities, protections, and infrastructure requirements.
• Memorandum of Understanding: An agreement between CBP and the airport operator that outlines roles, responsibilities, and cost-sharing.
• Memorandum of Cooperation: An agreement between TSA and the host government that ensures adherence to TSA-commensurate aviation security screening for pre-cleared flights.

The host government, airport, and airlines must engage consistently with CBP for the successful completion of Preclearance agreements. The total cost of Preclearance includes capital expenditures (incurred by the applicant) and operational expenditures (shared between the applicant and the US government).

Global Entry: Expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers at select US airports

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the United States. Global Entry members can enter the United States using the Global Entry processing technology at select airports.

At the airport, program members proceed to the Global Entry lanes, where processing technology captures a photo to verify their membership. Once the photo has been captured, the member will receive on-screen instructions and proceed to a CBP officer who will confirm that they have successfully completed the process.

Global Entry members can also use the TSA PreCheck lanes at airport security checks in the United States. Global Entry is available at all major U.S. airports, including:

• John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

To apply for Global Entry, travellers must be pre-approved for the program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment. The application process for Global Entry varies depending on citizenship. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can apply by creating an account at the Trusted Traveler Programs System (TTP). Citizens of other eligible countries should review their country-specific requirements.

CBP One™ Mobile App: Streamlines the experience by providing a single portal for multiple CBP services

The CBP One™ Mobile App is a convenient way to access a variety of services provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from your mobile device. It serves as a single portal to multiple CBP services, streamlining your experience by providing quick and easy access to the features you need.

The app is free to use and is available for download on both Apple App and Google Play stores. It is designed to guide users through a series of questions to direct them to the appropriate travel or trade services based on their specific requirements. This user-friendly interface ensures that travellers can efficiently navigate their return to the U.S. and international visitors can smoothly process their entry.

Currently, the CBP One™ app offers two main features, with more functionalities to be introduced in the upcoming year. The first feature is the Inspection Appointment Request, which allows brokers, carriers, and forwarders to request inspections for perishable cargo entering the U.S. using their mobile devices. They can receive real-time status updates, and even chat with a CBP Agriculture Specialist for further assistance. The second feature is the I-94 application, which enables travellers to apply and pay for their I-94 up to seven days before their arrival at a Port of Entry (POE). This feature provides travellers with a digital copy of their I-94 and up to five years of travel history, expediting the entry process and allowing easy access to critical information.

In addition to these features, CBP One™ also allows travellers to check the status of their Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) application and membership. Furthermore, TTP applicants with scheduled remote interviews can conveniently attend them through the app. The app also provides valuable information such as border wait times and open lane status at land ports of entry, helping travellers make informed decisions and plan their journeys efficiently.

The CBP One™ Mobile App is a valuable tool that simplifies the experience of travellers interacting with CBP services. By consolidating multiple services into one easily accessible platform, the app enhances the overall efficiency and convenience of the travel process.

Facial Biometrics: CBP uses facial recognition technology at international and domestic airports

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has implemented facial biometrics into the entry processes at all international airports and into the exit processes at multiple airport locations. This is known as Simplified Arrival.

The process works as follows: when a traveler presents themselves for entry or exit, they will encounter a camera connected to CBP's cloud-based Traveler Verification Service (TVS) facial matching service via a secure, encrypted connection. This camera matches live images with existing photo templates from passenger travel documents. Once the camera captures a quality image and the system successfully matches it with historical photo templates of all travelers from the gallery associated with that manifest, the traveler proceeds to inspection for admissibility by a CBP officer or exits the United States.

Facial biometrics adds an extra layer of security and further enhances the traveler experience by utilizing a more touch-free technology that streamlines entry procedures. CBP has processed more than 540 million travelers using biometric facial comparison technology and prevented more than 2,000 impostors from entering the U.S.

CBP has also expanded facial biometrics to 39 seaports and all pedestrian lanes at both the Southwest Border and the Northern Border ports of entry.

U.S. citizens can opt out of airport facial recognition by telling an officer or airline employee at the time of a facial recognition scan. Their passport or boarding pass will then be manually checked. However, non-U.S. citizens will not be allowed to opt out.

Trusted Traveller Programs: Dedicated lanes and kiosks for pre-approved, low-risk travellers

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveller Programs are designed to provide expedited travel for pre-approved, low-risk travellers through dedicated lanes and kiosks. These programs improve security and efficiency during screenings and facilitate legitimate trade and travel at airports and ports of entry.

The TSA PreCheck® program, for example, expedites traveller screening through TSA security checkpoints. Global Entry is another program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the U.S. through the use of kiosks. The NEXUS program is ideal for frequent travellers between the U.S. and Canada, allowing pre-screened travellers expedited processing and the use of dedicated NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada by air and Global Entry kiosks when entering the U.S. The Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) are two additional programs that facilitate expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers.

The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app is a free, secure option for eligible travellers to submit their passport and customs declaration information through their smartphone, reducing passport control inspection time and overall wait times.

To determine which Trusted Traveller Program is best for you, use the tool on the Trusted Traveller Programs website or refer to CBP's Interactive Trusted Traveller Comparison Chart.

Frequently asked questions