Owais Crawford
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) has implemented Simplified Arrival, an enhanced international arrival process that uses facial biometrics to automate the manual document checks required for admission into the United States. This process streamlines the entry process for eligible travellers, reducing overall wait times. The main customs facility at CLT is located on the ground level of the D concourse, where passengers arriving on international flights are funnelled down a staircase or ramp for customs clearance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the Airport | Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) |
| Location of Customs | Basement (lower level) of the D concourse |
| Average Wait Times | 8.63 minutes for U.S. citizens and 14.33 minutes for non-U.S. citizens |
| Security Screening | TSA's Pre✓™ program, Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, Mobile Passport Control (MPC) |
| Biometric Facial Comparison Technology | Implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
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What You'll Learn
- Customs at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located in the basement of the D concourse
- CBP's Simplified Arrival uses facial biometrics to automate manual document checks
- CBP's Mobile Passport Control (MPC) streamlines entry for eligible travellers
- TSA Pre✓™ offers expedited security screening for eligible passengers
- Global Entry is a CBP program for expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers
Customs at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located in the basement of the D concourse
Charlotte Douglas International Airport has implemented several programs to streamline the customs process and reduce wait times for passengers. For example, the Global Entry program allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the United States. The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) program also allows eligible travellers to submit their passport and customs declaration information through a free, secure app on their smartphones, reducing overall wait times.
In addition, the airport has introduced Simplified Arrival, an enhanced international arrival process that uses facial biometrics to automate manual document checks. This provides travellers with a secure, touchless travel experience and helps to secure and streamline international travel. The Enhanced Primary Processing (EPP) test program has also successfully reduced wait times for both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens.
These initiatives demonstrate Charlotte Douglas International Airport's commitment to enhancing the travel experience for its millions of passengers, particularly those arriving on international flights who will be using the customs facilities located in the basement of the D concourse.
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CBP's Simplified Arrival uses facial biometrics to automate manual document checks
Charlotte Douglas International Airport offers a variety of expedited security screening options for passengers. These include TSA's Pre✓™ program, Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI. Global Entry is a CBP program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers entering the United States.
CBP has also introduced Simplified Arrival, an enhanced international arrival process that uses facial biometrics to automate manual document checks. This process provides a secure and touchless travel experience while fulfilling a Congressional mandate to biometrically record the entry and exit of non-US citizens. Simplified Arrival pairs a highly-ranked facial comparison algorithm with trained CBP officers who verify the authenticity of travel documents.
Upon arrival at an international airport, travellers will pause for a photo at the primary inspection point. The CBP's biometric facial comparison process will compare this new photo to a gallery of high-quality images that the traveller has previously provided to the government, such as passport and visa photos. Foreign travellers who have visited the US before will no longer need to provide fingerprints, as their identity will be confirmed through the touchless facial comparison process.
The Simplified Arrival process has been successful in preventing imposters from illegally entering the United States using genuine travel documents issued to other people. To date, CBP has leveraged facial biometrics to prevent hundreds of such illegal entries. Travellers who wish to opt out of the biometric process can simply notify a CBP officer, present a valid travel document, and be processed under existing requirements.
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CBP's Mobile Passport Control (MPC) streamlines entry for eligible travellers
CBP's Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free, secure mobile application that streamlines entry for eligible travellers into the United States. It is available on both Apple and Android devices. The app allows eligible travellers to submit their passport and customs declaration information ahead of time, reducing passport control inspection time and overall wait time.
The MPC app is particularly useful for those who do not qualify for a Trusted Traveller Program, such as Global Entry, but would still like to take advantage of an expedited entry process. It is also a great option for parents travelling with their children, as it allows families to stay together when speaking to a CBP officer.
To use the MPC app, eligible travellers must first download the app and scan their passports. The passport information will be saved in the app for future use. Travellers will then need to take a self-photo and answer questions about their arrival and declarations. This submission is active for four hours. By completing these steps ahead of time, travellers can speed up their interaction with the CBP officer.
Upon arrival at the airport, travellers using the MPC app can expect a shorter wait time as they will be directed to a designated MPC line. It is important to note that MPC does not replace any required travel documents, and travellers must still carry their passports and other relevant documents. The MPC app is currently available at 53 sites, including 35 U.S. airports.
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TSA Pre✓™ offers expedited security screening for eligible passengers
Charlotte Douglas International Airport offers a variety of expedited security screening options for eligible passengers. One of these options is the TSA Pre✓™ program, which provides a more efficient security screening process for enrolled individuals at participating airports. This includes certain frequent flyers of specific airlines, members of the TSA Pre✓™ program, and participants of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Trusted Traveler program, including Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI.
The TSA Pre✓™ program conducts risk assessments of passengers prior to their arrival at the airport checkpoint. This intelligence-driven, risk-based approach strengthens aviation security while streamlining the screening process. It is currently available at approximately 200 airports across the country, benefiting millions of passengers.
Passengers can enrol in the TSA Pre✓™ program for a fee of $85, which is valid for five years. The program is particularly advantageous for frequent flyers and international travellers, as it provides expedited entry benefits in other countries. Enrolled individuals can access TSA Pre✓™ lanes at security checkpoints, simplifying the security screening process and reducing wait times.
In addition to TSA Pre✓™, Charlotte Douglas International Airport also offers Mobile Passport Control (MPC). MPC is a free program that allows eligible travellers to submit their passport and customs declaration information through a secure mobile app. This streamlines the entry process into the United States, reducing overall wait times.
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Global Entry is a CBP program for expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers
Charlotte Douglas International Airport, also known as CLT Airport, offers a variety of expedited security screening options for eligible passengers. These include TSA PreCheck™, Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and Mobile Passport Control (MPC).
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveller Program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the United States. The program is designed to speed up the entry process for trusted travellers, reducing wait times and enhancing security efficiency.
Global Entry members can bypass the Enhanced Primary Processing (EPP) system at CLT Airport, which has significantly reduced wait times for both U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens. Global Entry participants benefit from expedited entry when travelling to other countries and are also eligible for TSA PreCheck benefits, making it advantageous for frequent international travellers.
The Global Entry program costs $120 for a five-year membership and requires a background check and interview for approval. Applicants can apply through the Trusted Traveller Program website and must undergo a background check, which typically takes up to two weeks but can take longer depending on criminal history. Once conditionally approved, applicants can schedule their interview through their Trusted Traveller Programs (TTP) account.
The Global Entry Enrollment Office at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is located pre-security in Arrivals/Baggage Claim. Travellers can use the Customs courtesy phone outside the Credentialing Office to contact the enrolment centre while at the airport.
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Frequently asked questions
The main customs facility at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is on the ground level of the D concourse.
Since the Enhanced Primary Processing (EPP) test program began at Charlotte Airport in February 2025, wait times for U.S. citizens have been reduced by up to 51%. The average wait time for U.S. citizens is 8.63 minutes, while the average wait time for non-U.S. citizens is 14.33 minutes.
Travelers who have not already cleared CBP processing in another country will present themselves for processing by walking up to one of the designated kiosks. A camera linked to CBP's Travel Verification System compares live facial images with existing photos from the passengers' travel documents. Once past the kiosk, the traveler is directed to a CBP officer to complete their declaration of items purchased or obtained abroad.
