Eligible Travelers Entering the U.S. Have a Mobile Option for Customs Declaration
MINNEAPOLIS–The Minneapolis Metropolitan Airports Commission and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today announced the expansion of Mobile Passport Control (MPC) to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). 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 and 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.
“The goal is to use technology to make the process of entering the country through MSP International Airport as simple and efficient as possible,” said Brian Ryks, executive director and CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission. “For travelers without mobile devices, we have also installed 34 Automated Passport Control kiosks in our International Arrivals areas. They work much the same way as Mobile Passport Control but provide a printed rather than electronic receipt to expedite the entry process.”
“CBP is pleased to offer Mobile Passport Control as an option to expedite travelers’ entry into the United States at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport,” said Area Port Director Jennifer De La O. “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.”
When they open the app, travelers are prompted to create a profile that includes their name, gender, date of birth, country of citizenship and passport information. Upon landing in the United States, travelers complete the “New Trip” section by selecting their arrival airport and airline, taking a self-photo using their mobile device, and answering a series of customs declaration questions. Once travelers click “Submit,” they receive an electronic receipt with an encrypted Quick Response (QR) code. Travelers then bring their passport and mobile device with their digital bar-coded receipt to a CBP officer to finalize the inspection process.
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 or the APC kiosks will no longer have to complete a paper customs declaration.
In addition to MPC and APC, MSP also has Global Entry kiosks. Global Entry is a CBP Trusted Traveler Program that provides expedite clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. The non-refundable application fee for a five-year Global Entry membership is $100 and applications must be made online. Once the application is approved, the applicant will schedule an interview with a CBP officer to determine the applicant’s eligibility. Global Entry members present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card at a Global Entry kiosk, scan their fingerprints, and complete their customs declaration questions. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs them to baggage claim and the exit.
Minneapolis-St. Paul International is the 13th U.S. airport to offer Mobile Passport Control. The service is also available at airports in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York’s JFK, Newark, Orlando, San Francisco, San Jose and Seattle.
This first-of-its-kind app was developed by Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) and their technical partner in partnership with CBP. 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 42 locations and automated the I-94 form. CBP has also enrolled more than 4.9 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