Eligible Travelers Entering the U.S. Have a Mobile Option for U.S. Customs and Border Protection Declaration
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) announced the expansion of Mobile Passport Control (MPC) to FLL today. MPC is the first authorized application (app) to expedite a traveler’s arrival into the United States from abroad. Eligible travelers submit their passport information and CBP 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 in South Florida is proud to work together with FLL. This collaboration has led to today’s rollout of Mobile Passport Control technology as an option to expedite traveler’s CBP clearance upon arrival to the United States,” said Diane J. Sabatino, Director Field Operations for the Miami and Tampa Field Offices. “CBP is invested in ensuring that those arriving from abroad have a friendly and professional experience. The ability to deliver such an efficient opportunity for travelers has been made possible through revolutionary systems like MPC and great teamwork with stakeholders; never compromising our priority to ensure the highest level of security standards remains paramount throughout.”
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 Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport come on board as the sixth airport to launch Mobile Passport," said Port Director Jorge L. Roig. "Mobile Passport has had a fantastic response at Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, and Chicago, which has significantly cut the time in the customs line for thousands of 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.<
Background:
The MPC pilot launched in August 2014 for eligible travelers arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and as of December 2015 was available to passengers arriving at Miami International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. MPC is expected to expand to more airports in spring 2016, as 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 partner. Information about Mobile Passport, 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 34 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.