Eligible Travelers Entering the U.S. Have a Mobile Option for Customs Declaration
DENVER — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Denver International Airport (DNE) announce the expansion of Mobile Passport Control (MPC) to DEN. 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.
“U.S. Customs and Border Protection remains committed to keeping the international arrivals process as secure and traveler-friendly as possible by offering new and innovative technology systems,” said Brian J. Humphrey, CBP Director of Field Operations in San Francisco. “The Mobile Passport Control app adds another option proven to reduce wait times for the ever-growing number of international visitors without compromising our important border protection mission.”
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.
“About 67 percent of our international travelers using the customs facility are U.S. citizens, so providing access to Mobile Passport Control will help streamline the customs experience for a large number of travelers each year,” said Ken Greene, DEN’s chief operating officer. “We are excited about this new partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which will offer many of our international passengers faster processing as they make their way into the United States via the Mile High City.”
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, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport, Newark International Airport, John F. Kennedy Airport, Orlando International Airport, and San Jose 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.
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 42 locations and automated the I-94 form. CBP has also enrolled more than 4.8 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.