Eligible Travelers Entering the U.S. have a Mobile Option for Customs Declaration
STERLING, Va. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) announce the expansion of Mobile Passport Control (MPC) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Dulles International becomes the 14th airport to offer MPC admissions processing.
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.
“This is an exciting time for Customs and Border Protection and Washington Dulles International Airport. We have worked closely with Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to offer the Mobile Passport Control app to travelers arriving at our airport from abroad,” said Wayne Biondi, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Washington Dulles. “CBP remains committed to using technological advances and resources to make international arrivals as traveler-friendly as possible.”
“At Dulles International, we never stop looking for ways to make the journey easier and more enjoyable for our travelers,” said Chris Browne, vice president and airport manager. “Together with our partners at Customs and Border Protection, we are proud to introduce the Mobile Passport app as the latest innovation to make international arrivals an even smoother 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 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.
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 has since expanded to 14 airports.
In addition to Atlanta and Dulles, MPC is available to passengers at Chicago O’Hare International Airport; Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport; Denver International Airport; Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport; John F. Kennedy Airport; Miami International Airport; Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport; Newark International Airport; Orlando International Airport; San Francisco International Airport; San Jose International Airport; and Seattle-Tacoma 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 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.
CBP’s Travel website offers rules and tips for clearing CBP inspection during travel to and from the U.S.