For those of us who travel internationally, one of the biggest complaints we have is the long wait times at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when arriving back in the United States. Airports with complaints about long lines include Miami, JFK, Washington Dulles and Chicago O’Hare.

I gave high marks to CBP when it unveiled the Global Entry back in 2008. The program allows faster clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers after they arrive in the United States.


It costs $100 for five years, includes access to the Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck program, and is a really fast option for arriving U.S. citizens.

I’ve also shown the love to airports that have installed passport reader kiosks, which replace the declaration card usually given to passengers aboard a flight. Travelers go to a kiosk, where they scan their passports and get their photo taken. They then are prompted to answer a series of questions on a touch screen. Once passengers have completed the questions, a receipt is issued. They then bring their passport, travel information and receipt to a CBP officer for verification.

And now CPB is taking passport control to the next level by launching the first app -- Mobile Passport Control (MPC) -- which was designed to expedite a traveler’s entry process into the United States. Eligible travelers can use the app to  submit their passport information and customs declaration form via a smartphone or tablet prior to CBP inspection.

The app is available for free at Apple’s app store.

The app is pretty simple to use. After downloading the app, users can create a profile with their passport information. Complete the “New Trip” section upon arrival in the United States, submit the customs declaration form through the app to receive an electronic receipt with an Encrypted Quick Response (QR) code, which will expire four hours after being issued.  Then bring your passport and smartphone or tablet with your digital bar-coded receipt to a CBP officer. Travelers will need to have a Wi-Fi or cellular network connection to use the app to submit their customs declaration form and receive the QR code receipt. Travelers can use the app to complete their profile without being connected to Wi-Fi or a cellular network.

Similar to automated passport control, MPC doesn’t require pre-approval like Global Entry, is free-to-use and does not collect any new information on travelers. By using MPC, CBP promises travelers shorter wait times, less congestion and faster processing.

The app is the brainchild of Airside Mobile and Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) in partnership with CBP. Travelers will be able to use the app at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport beginning on Aug. 13. The plan is to add MPC to more airports and offer an Android app later this year.