Seattle Sea-Tac has become the third US airport to introduce Mobile Passport Control (MPC).
MPC is the first authorized app to expedite a passenger’s arrival into the United States. Sea-Tac follows Atlanta and Miami in offering the facility.
Eligible passengers submit their passport information and customs declaration form to CBP via the smartphone and tablet app prior to arrival. Android and iPhone users can download Mobile Passport for free from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
MPC currently offers U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors a more secure and efficient in-person inspection between the CBP officer and the passenger 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. As a result, passengers will experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster processing.
How it works
Passenger follow these five steps to use MPC:
- Download the Mobile Passport Control App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store before arrival
- 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.
- Bring their passport and smartphone or tablet with the digital bar-coded receipt to a CBP officer
The MPC pilot launched in August 2014 for eligible passengers arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and as of last month is available to passengers arriving at Miami International Airport. MPC is expected to expand to more airports later this spring and CBP has committed to expand the program to the 20 airports with the highest volumes of international passengers by the end of 2016.
This first-of-its-kind app was developed by Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) and Airside Mobile in partnership with CBP.
ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke:
“We’re very pleased to have Sea-Tac Airport come on board as the third airport to launch Mobile Passport. Mobile Passport has had a fantastic response at Atlanta and Miami, which has significantly cut the time in the Customs line for thousands of eligible travelers entering the United States. We look forward to additional airports coming online throughout 2015.”
Charles Goedken, Manager of International Operations at Sea-Tac Airport:
“The Port of Seattle is excited to launch this new opportunity for expedited travel processing in partnership with the CBP. With the ever increasing number of international passengers coming to our region, we need these types of innovations to keep travelers happy and moving through our facility.”
Since 2009, international long-haul traffic at Sea-Tac has increased nearly 80 percent and all international passenger traffic is up over 45 percent.
US and Canadian passengers already have the option of using a Self-Service Automated Passport Control Kiosk.
