TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection ports of entry in Arizona, encourage holiday travelers to use Ready Lanes, enroll in trusted traveler programs and apply for tourist permits online, in preparation of the upcoming Spring Break and as Holy Week draws near.
“CBP Arizona ports of entry want to ensure a smooth and orderly traffic flow during the peak travel season,” said Director of Field Operations, Guadalupe Ramirez Jr., Tucson Field Office. “CBP encourages travelers to obtain WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative) compliant documents to help expedite their crossing at the border.”
The Tucson Field Office strongly encourages non-immigrant visa, passport holders seeking to travel to the U.S. interior to apply for their tourist permits online via https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/. Travelers will now receive a provisional I-94 after submitting their application and payment online.
To finalize the I-94 process, travelers must present themselves at a port of entry within seven days of their application to be interviewed by a CBP officer, submit biometric fingerscans and photograph.
Tucson Field Office ports of entry will extend front of the line privileges to travelers who submit their I-94 applications electronically and present their provisional I-94 permit receipt.
CBP also encourages travelers to obtain and utilize radio-frequency identification technology (RFID)-equipped travel documents such as U.S. passport cards and, newer versions (i.e. since 2011) of the border crossing card and resident alien card so they can utilize Ready Lanes. Processing in Ready Lanes is 20 percent faster than general lanes and provide a timesaving’s of up to 20 seconds per vehicle.
Members of the traveling public can monitor Border Wait Times or also obtain the BWT app on their smartphone via Apple App Store and Google Play so that they can make an informed decision of their travels. Wait times are updated on an hourly basis.
Lastly, with Easter approaching, CBP reminds the traveling public that cascarones (confetti-filled eggshells) are restricted to quantities of 10 per passenger. The shells may be decorated or etched but they must be empty, clean, and free of any egg residue.
Cascarones are a restricted commodity by CBP in order to prevent further spread of Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) through contaminated eggshells. END is a highly contagious, fatal viral disease that affects a substantial number of bird species, attacking respiratory, nervous and digestive systems. Mortality is up to 90 percent of exposed birds.
Also to avoid any potential delays or fines due to travelers bringing prohibited/restricted agricultural items, CBP encourages travelers to declare all agricultural items to a CBP officer upon arrival and before making their journey to consult the Know Before You Go guide.
Travel Tips
- Have all the required travel documents for the country you are visiting, as well as identification for re-entry to the United States. Passports are required for air travel. Visit www.state.gov/travelers for country-specific information.
- Declare everything you are bringing from abroad, even if you bought it in a duty-free shop. Know that things bought abroad for personal use or as gifts may be eligible for duty exemptions. If you are bringing them back for resale, they are not.
- Know the difference between prohibited merchandise (which is forbidden by law to enter the U.S.) and restricted merchandise (items needing special permit to be allowed into the U.S.). For more information, please visit the Restricted/Prohibited section of the CBP website.
- Do not attempt to bring fruits, meats, dairy/poultry products and/or firewood into the United States without first checking whether they are permitted. For more information, please visit the Bringing Agricultural Products Into the United States section of the CBP website.
- Understand that CBP officers can inspect you and your personal belongings without a warrant. This may include your luggage, vehicle, and personal searches and is meant to enforce our laws as well as protect legitimate travelers.
- Monitor border wait times for various ports of entry. Travelers are encouraged to plan their trips during periods of lighter traffic or to use an alternate, less heavily traveled port of entry. For more information, travelers can find up-to-date wait time information on the Border Wait Times website.
- If you are a frequent international traveler and have not already become a member of a trusted traveler program, sign up now. For more information, please visit the Trusted Traveler section of the CBP website.
- Familiarize yourself with the “Know Before You Go” brochure or section of the CBP website.