CBP Programs Enhance Entry Experience

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is working hard to improve the entry experience for travelers coming into the U.S. through programs like the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) and Enrollment on Arrival (EoA). The latter is a newly announced CBP program that allows Global Entry applicants who are conditionally approved to complete their interviews upon arrival into the United States, including those entering via a designated CBP Preclearance location. The EoA program eliminates the need for a Global Entry applicant to schedule an interview at an enrollment center to complete the application process. These interviews often take weeks or even months to schedule.

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) allows eligible travelers to submit their travel documents, photos, and customs declaration information through a free, secure app on their smartphone or other mobile device. MPC streamlines the traveler’s entry process into the U.S. by reducing passport control inspection time and overall wait time. Use of MPC does not require pre-approval. Travelers who successfully use the MPC app will no longer have to complete a paper form and may be provided a designated queue. As a result, travelers may experience shorter wait times, less congestion, and efficient processing.

Fee Increases for Trusted Traveler Programs Coming this Fall

CBP also announced this week an upcoming fee change for some of its most popular Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP).

On April 2, a final rule was published in the Federal Register, harmonizing the fees for the NEXUS, Global Entry, and SENTRI programs, better reflecting the program costs. The new fees, which have not been updated in over 15 years, will go into effect October 1, 2024. As these programs have matured and expanded, updating the fee structures is critical to the continuation and management of the programs.

SENTRI, which allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers entering the United States using dedicated primary lanes at Southern land border ports, will move from an “a la carte” fee structure to a uniform fee of $120, which will be collected in full when each application is submitted. The fees for NEXUS, a joint program managed by CBP and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that allows dedicated processing between the U.S. and Canada, will increase from $50 to $120, and Global Entry fees will increase from $100 to $120.