Chicago - The 2011 holiday travel season has begun and Chicago Customs and Border Protection would like to give international travelers useful holiday tips to help make their travel experience at O'Hare International Airport as smooth as possible.
"CBP is dedicated to ensuring that all arriving international passengers are treated with the highest level of courtesy and professionalism," said David J. Murphy, CBP director of field operations in Chicago. "Our officers are always available to answer any questions you may have about the entry process. Supervisors and Passenger Service Managers are readily available to address any of your concerns."
Here are some travel tips offered by CBP for your visit or return to the United States that can also be found on CBP's web site:
- Have all the required travel documents for the countries you are visiting, as well as identification for re-entry to the United States. A valid passport is required for returning U.S. citizens when flying internationally.
- Make sure you find out the rules and regulations concerning food and agricultural items before you travel, as some are prohibited or must meet certain requirements, such as a license or permit.
- When you arrive at a port of entry in the United States, a CBP officer will inspect you. Be prepared to tell the officer the purpose of your trip and those items that you purchased or obtained abroad.
- If you are a visitor to the United States, the officer may require you to provide your biometrics - digital finger scans and photograph - to verify your identity against your travel documents. This simple and fast collection of biometrics is the same as you experienced if you had to get a visa for your trip to the U.S.
- If traveling from a Visa Waiver Country, please make sure you have completed your Electronic System of Travel Authorization (ESTA) application prior to arriving in the United States.
- As a visitor to the U.S., when you depart, make sure that the airline ticket agent collects your I-94 form.
- Global Entry expedites the customs and security process for trusted air travelers while helping CBP ensure the safety of all airline passengers. For more information on Global Entry and how to register please visit the Global Entry website.
- See our "Top 10 Travel Tips," as well as a wealth of Frequently Asked Questions concerning international travel at CBP's Web site.
- To address arriving international travelers comments or concerns about the CBP inspections process CBP Passenger Service Manager, Marcela Lyles, is the primary point of contact at (773) 894-2900 x2872.
On a typical day, CBP welcomes more than one million international travelers into the United States at land, air and sea ports. CBP officers use the latest technologies and procedures to assure that travelers from throughout the world are processed rapidly while assuring that individuals who have ties to terrorism or a criminal background are barred from entry.
