Mobile Passport Control is now at San Francisco International Airport.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) announced the expansion of Mobile Passport Control (MPC) to SFO.
Eligible passengers submit their passport information and customs declaration form to CBP via a smartphone and 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.
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 passengers. Those opting to use the app will no longer have to complete a paper customs declaration form. As a result, they will experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster processing.
Mobile Passport Control is now at San Francisco
SFO is the fifth airport in the United States to offer Mobile Passport Control after Atlanta, Miami, Seattle and Orlando.
Airports Council International-North America President and CEO Kevin M. Burke:
“We’re very pleased to have San Francisco International Airport come on board as the fifth airport to launch Mobile Passport. Mobile Passport has had a fantastic response at Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, and Chicago, 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.”
How it works
Passengers follow these five easy steps to MPC:
- Download the Mobile Passport Control App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store prior to arriving. The app is free.
- Create a profile with their passport information
- Complete the “New Trip” section of the App
- Select arrival airport and airline
- Take a “selfie” photo
- Answer standard Customs and Border Protection (CBP) customs declaration questions
- Submit the customs declaration form through the app to receive a digital, secure bar-coded receipt from CBP with an QR code.
- Bring their passport and smartphone or tablet with the digital bar-coded receipt to a CBP officer.
Airport Director John L. Martin:
“As international traffic grows at SFO, we continue to seek innovative ways to expedite the arrival process for our international travelers. With the expansion of Mobile Passport Control to SFO, our customers now have an efficient new option that allows them to bypass a traditional queue.”
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, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
CBP has committed to expand the program to the 20 airports with the highest volumes of international travelers by the end of 2016. This first-of-its-kind app was developed by Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) and their technical partner in partnership with CBP.
