Automated Border

From the US Customs and Border Protection Website:
"Automated Passport Control (APC)"

What is Automated Passport Control?

Automated Passport Control (APC) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that expedites the entry process for U.S., Canadian and eligible Visa Waiver Program international travelers by providing an automated process through CBP’s Primary Inspection area.  Travelers use self-service kiosks to submit their Customs declaration form and biographic information.  APC is a free service, does not require pre-registration or membership, and maintains the highest levels of protection when it comes to the handling of personal data or information.  Travelers using APC experience shorter wait times, less congestion, and faster processing.

 

How Does the Automated Passport Control Program Work?

Instead of filling out a paper Customs declaration form, eligible passengers can proceed directly to the APC kiosks in the passport control area.  Travelers are prompted to scan their passport, take a photograph using the kiosk, and answer a series of questions verifying biographic and flight information.  Once passengers have completed the series of questions and submitted their Customs declaration form, a receipt will be issued.  Travelers then bring their passport and receipt to a CBP Officer to finalize their inspection for entry into the United States.  The kiosks allow people residing at the same address to be processed together.

 

What languages are available on APC kiosks?

English, Spanish, French, Italian, Korean, Dutch, German, Chinese (Traditional/Simplified) and Japanese.

 

 

APC kiosks are currently operational at the following airports:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• Aruba Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)
• Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
• Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
• Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• Dublin International Airport (DUB)
• Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
• Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
• Montréal - Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
• Nassau Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)
• New York - John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Reno International Airport (RNO)
• San Diego International Airport (SAN)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Seattle Sea-Tac Airport (SEA)
• Tampa International Airport (TPA)
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Who Is Eligible to Use APC?

U.S. and Canadian passport holders and international visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries are eligible to use APC kiosks.  Visa Waiver Program visitors must have Electronic System for Travel Authorizations (ESTA) approval prior to travel and have visited the United States on at least one occasion after 2008.

^ I first wrote about using this when I flew back from Germany last December. Now it has been rolled-out to many more airports in the US and those overseas with US Pre-Clearance. I still think it is a complete waste of time since it adds another line US Citizens have to wait in when they return home. It would be one thing if they went to the kiosk, got the printed receipt and then went to collect their bags and go through Customs (by-passing the Immigration officer) but that's not the case. You have to wait in line to use a kiosk, do the online questions, scan your passport, get your picture taken, get a printed receipt and then stand in line to wait for an Immigration officer, then answer his/her questions, then pick-up your  bags, go through Customs and then finally be able to leave. What's the point of the kiosk if you still have to deal with the officer? There is no point. It's a complete waste of time and money -  - and if you are catching a connecting flight you have to add even more time for that now. It seems that US Immigration doesn't really have a clue what they are doing. I remember them using kiosks a few years ago that required foreigners to answer questions and scan their passports when they were leaving the US. They were usually at the boarding gate and no one (at the airline or US Immigration) told them they had to do that until they started boarding and so there was a mad rush to the kiosks and the planes were delayed. US immigration finally realized that program was pretty stupid  and stopped using it so I can only hope that they will do the same here (or at least get rid of the extra step of needing to repeat everything with an Immigration officer. ^

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/automated-passport-control-apc