Oakland International Airport (OAK) has unveiled eight new BorderXpress Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks.
The kiosks accept all passports from approved countries and does not require pre-registration or fees.
By automating the administrative portion of the customs declaration process, BorderXpress APC helps speed up the CBP process.
With this increased efficiency, international passengers arriving at OAK will experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster customs processing times.
Instead of filling out a declaration card and taking travel documents to a CBP officer, eligible passengers choosing to use APC can proceed directly to a self-service kiosk in the U.S. CBP customs-control area.
Eligible Passengers include U.S. and Canadian passport holders, U.S. Permanent Residents, and eligible international passengers with Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval from 38 countries not requiring U.S. entry visas, including Norway, Sweden, Australia, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, and many more.
Passengers follow the on-screen instructions to scan their passport, use the touch screen to answer the customs declaration questions, receive a receipt confirming their information, and proceed to the CBP officer to finish processing.
The kiosks are from Innovative Travel Solutions, an independent business unit within Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
How it works
Eligible passengers choosing to use the new kiosks can proceed directly to a self-service kiosk in the border area and complete a two-step process.
- STEP 1: Passengers complete the data-entry function themselves at the kiosk, which sends their encrypted information to the Customs Border Control agency that assesses the data and returns a government response in seconds.
- STEP 2: With receipt in hand, passengers proceed to a border control officer who verifies the document. A border officer will always have the final approval to allow a traveler into the country.
Craig Richmond, President and CEO, Vancouver Airport Authority:
“We are thrilled to partner with the Port of Oakland to improve the international travel experience for passengers flying through OAK.
“BorderXpress provides a quick, easy and secure alternative to the traditional full clearance with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer by partially automating the inspection declaration process, cutting wait times dramatically. As a result, both Oakland Airport and its passengers walk away happier knowing they’re receiving the best and most efficient service available today.”
Port of Oakland Acting Director of Aviation, Kristi McKenney:
” Oakland is very much focused on continually improving the travel experience for our customers. The new BorderXpress APC equipment has a track record of improving efficiency at the airports where it currently exists, and we look forward to this service to our customers.”
About Oakland International Airport
Oakland International is the fourth largest airport in California and second largest in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over 11 million travelers each year, OAK is the closest airport to the region’s top tourism and entertainment venues. It is also the closest for most local residents.
The airport now offers air service to 53 destinations on 13 different airline brands – seven of which operate with OAK as their sole gateway into the San Francisco Bay region.
N.B. Image credit: yvr.ca
