Eligible Travelers Entering the U.S. Have a Mobile Option for Customs Declaration
DALLAS — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) today announced the expansion of Mobile Passport Control (MPC) to DFW. MPC is the first authorized app to expedite a traveler’s arrival into the United States. Eligible travelers submit their passport information and customs declaration form to CBP via a smartphone or tablet app prior to arrival. Android and iPhone users can download the Mobile Passport app for free from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
“CBP is proud to work together with DFW to offer Mobile Passport Control as an option to expedite traveler’s arrival to the United States,” said Director Field Operations in Houston Judson W. Murdock. “CBP remains committed to making the international arrivals experience as traveler-friendly as possible through innovation and collaboration with stakeholders while maintaining the highest security standards.”
“The Mobile Passport Control system is a simple and efficient way for U.S. and Canadian travelers to quickly clear through Customs when arriving at DFW,” said Mazhar Butt, senior vice president of customer experience at DFW Airport. “The collaboration with our partners at CBP has enabled us to deliver a number of products to provide a better overall customer experience by significantly reducing wait times in the DFW arrivals hall."
MPC currently offers U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors a more secure and efficient in-person inspection between the CBP officer and the traveler upon arrival in the United States. Much like Automated Passport Control (APC), the app does not require pre-approval, is free to use and does not collect any new information from travelers. Travelers opting to use the app will no longer have to complete a paper customs declaration form. As a result, travelers will experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster processing.
“We're very pleased to have the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport come on board to launch Mobile Passport Control," said CBP Port Director Cleatus P. Hunt Jr. "Mobile Passport Control has had a fantastic response in the six other locations by cutting the time in the arrivals line for eligible travelers entering the United States."
There are five easy steps to MPC:
- Download the Mobile Passport Control App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store prior to arriving
- Create a profile with your passport information
- Complete the “New Trip” section upon arrival in the United States
- Submit your CBP Declaration form through the app to receive an electronic receipt with an Encrypted Quick Response (QR) code
- Bring your passport and smartphone or tablet with your digital bar-coded receipt to a CBP officer
The MPC pilot launched in August 2014 for eligible travelers arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and is now available to passengers arriving at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Miami International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. MPC is expected to expand to more airports in 2016 and CBP has committed to expand the program to the 20 airports with the highest volumes of international travelers by the end of the calendar year.
“We are thrilled to have Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport come on board with Mobile Passport,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke. “The success of MPC at airports like Atlanta, Miami, and Chicago shows just how innovative technology is providing for a more efficient passenger experience. Adding MPC as a tool for travelers is helping reduce wait times in customs lines for thousands of eligible travelers entering the United States. We look forward to additional airports coming online throughout 2016."
This first-of-its-kind app was developed in partnership with CBP, by Airports Council International- North America (ACI-NA) and their technical partners. Information about Mobile Passport Control, including how to download, user eligibility and other frequently asked questions, is available on CBP.gov.
MPC is just one part of CBP’s resource optimization strategy which is transforming the way CBP does business in land, air and sea environments. As part of its commitment to innovation, CBP installed APC kiosks at 36 locations and automated the I-94 form. CBP has also enrolled more than 3.5 million travelers in trusted traveler programs such as Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI. These programs allow CBP officers to process travelers safely and efficiently while enhancing security and reducing operational costs.