EL PASO, Texas — The week before Easter is traditionally one of the busiest periods for cross border travel in the El Paso area.
A common item CBP officers encounter during the Easter season are cascarones (confetti-filled eggshells). They are restricted to quantities of 12 per passenger and the shells may be decorated, etched, or painted but they must be clean, dry, and free of any egg residue.
CBP agriculture specialists will also occasionally encounter travelers attempting to import Easter chicks and ducklings. The importation of these and all breeds of live birds is prohibited, and the animals will be seized and turned over to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for disposition.
CBP agriculture specialists continue to fulfill CBP’s agriculture mission by excluding harmful pests and diseases from becoming established in the U.S.
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. It is best to declare all items acquired abroad to avoid penalties. If an item is declared but found to be prohibited it can be abandoned without consequence.
CBP is also reminding travelers that they can utilize the CBPOne Mobile Application to expedite the I-94 travel permit process if their journey takes them beyond the border zone.
Those intending to travel beyond the immediate border area should download CBPOne on their mobile devices. They can then apply for an I-94 permit, pay for and print their permit, view their travel history, and turn in their permit after travel is completed.
“Utilizing technology will make the I-94 permit process more efficient for all parties,” said El Paso Director of Field Operations Hector Mancha. “Travelers using this resource can enter all their information ahead of their arrival and then report directly to primary CBP Officers for the final step of the process.”
The traveler will no longer have to wait in long lines at the CBP permit office, they may now use the CBPOne app and report directly for entry. The CBPOne Mobile Application is available for most devices through the app stores for Apple and Android users.
U.S. citizens are reminded to bring a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document, such as a valid U.S. passport, Trusted Traveler Program card, Enhanced Driver’s License, or Enhanced Tribal Card, when re-entering the United States and should be prepared to present a WHTI-compliant document if requested by a CBP Officer during a border inspection.
CBP encourages all travelers to have their WHTI-compliant entry documents in hand as they approach primary inspection booths and to declare all agricultural items, liquor, and currency or monetary instruments in excess of $10,000.
Members of the traveling public can monitor Border Wait Times online or obtain the BWT app on their smartphone via Apple App Store and Google Play so that they can observe the wait times and make an informed decision on which bridge to use. These wait times are updated on an hourly basis. Several websites also offer live views of current bridge conditions.
“Holy Week is always busy period so travelers should take all necessary steps to prepare for their entry to include building extra time into their crossing plans,” said Mancha.