Dallas - The 2011 holiday travel season is underway and Dallas Customs and Border Protection would like to give international travelers useful holiday tips to help make their travel experience at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport as smooth as possible.
"Our agency is committed to ensuring that all arriving international passengers are treated with the highest level of courtesy and professionalism," said CBP Acting Director of Field Operations Judson W. Murdock II. "Travelers can do their part by declaring any merchandise or goods they are bringing back to the U.S. This helps CBP to facilitate their processing."
CBP reminds travelers:
- 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. (www.globalentry.gov)
Additionally, CBP offers the following travel tips:
- Tip #1 - To avoid fines and penalties associated with importing prohibited items, travelers should become familiar with the "Know Before You Go" section of the CBP website.
- Tip #2 - Be prepared to declare all items acquired abroad. Travelers should prepare for the inspection process before arriving at the inspection booth and have their approved travel documents available for the inspection.
- Tip #3 - Build extra time into the trip in the event of crossing during periods of exceptionally heavy traffic.
- Tip #4 - Know the difference between goods for personal use versus commercial use. For more details, visit our site. (www.cbp.gov/travel)
- Tip #5 - Do not attempt to bring fruits, meats, poultry or dairy products into the U.S. without first checking whether they are permitted.
- Tip # 6 - During the holiday travel season, international border crossers should continue to expect a thorough inspection process when entering the U.S. Understand that CBP officers have the authority to conduct enforcement examinations without a warrant, ranging from a single luggage examination up to and possibly including a personal search.
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.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.