BOSTON — U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Massport at Logan International Airport announce the introduction of Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks in Terminal E to help speed travelers through the arrivals process.
“This technology, supported by our local business partners, assists our officers in processing an ever growing volume of international travelers,” said Director of Field Operations Kevin Weeks. “CBP constantly strives to improve traveler facilitation, while maintaining the highest standards of security.”
The APC program at Logan currently allows US citizens and Canadian visitors to enter their own passport and identification information prior to inspection by a CBP officer. There are four easy steps in the automated process:
- Scanning the passport;
- Capturing a photo;
- Answering questions using the touch-screen;
- Presenting documents to a CBP officer.
“As the number of international passengers continues to rise, it is important that we use technology to help keep Boston Logan International Airport an efficient, safe and secure gateway to the United States,’’ said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “We purchased and installed the kiosks to help our CBP partners keep the wait times at Logan among the lowest in the country for major international airports.’’
It should be noted that APCs are not a Trusted Traveler program and does not require pre-approval or service fees to participate. Instead, APCs serve as a pre-inspection opportunity before the CBP inspection. Further, members of the Global Entry Trusted Traveler program will still continue to be expedited through a designated lane where they can verify their GE status.
APCs are part of CBP’s resource optimization strategy that maximizes existing resources, identifies staffing needs, and explores alternative funding sources. As a result of these kiosks, CBP has seen a decrease to wait times even as international travel increased. In December 2013, the average wait time at APC locations was 22 minutes, 16% lower than December 2012; however, international travel at these locations increased by 8% during that same timeframe.
APCs come at no cost to CBP and is provided through public-private partnership with airport authorities, APC self-service kiosks free CBP officers from routine administrative tasks and contribute to reducing wait times for passengers using the kiosks.
CBP remains relentlessly self-critical in seeking means of improving airport wait times through efficiencies, improved facilities, inspection techniques and private-public partnerships. And the APCs are a prime example of our private sector partners taking a leadership role purchasing and deploying a solution – collaborating with CBP and using our specifications – resulting in a mutually beneficial process for CBP, airline carriers, airport authorities, and travelers.
For more information on APCs, please visit the Automated Passport Control section of the CBP website.