Faster Customs Check At SFO? There's An App For That

U.S. citizens and Canadians traveling abroad now can use a new mobile app at San Francisco International Airport to speed up their re-entry into the U.S., according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. The program began Friday.

By submitting passport information and a customs declaration form via the app before arriving, travelers can reduce their wait time because they won’t have to complete a paper declaration form, customs officials said.

Similar to Automated Passport Control, the customs app is free to use, requires no pre-approval and collects no new information from travelers, officials said. Automated Passport Control is a self-service system that allows travelers to submit their declarations form and personal information via a kiosk in the airport’s passport control area.

• Also see: Good News For Bay Area Travelers: Flights Added To SJ, SFO Airports

Travelers can download the customs app for free from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store for use on iPhone and Android phones.

CBP officials said it’s the first authorized customs app for travelers to the U.S.

“CBP is pleased to offer Mobile Passport Control as an option to expedite travelers’ entry into the United States at five of the country’s busiest international airports,” assistant commissioner Todd Owen, Office of Field Operations, said in a statement.

Owen said San Francisco International Airport is the fifth airport to launch the app, which he said maintains security standards at their highest level.

“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,” said Airports Council International-North America President and CEO Kevin M. Burke.

CBP officials plan to put the app into use at 20 airports by the end of next year.

Travelers can use the app by downloading it, creating a profile, completing the “new trip” section when arriving, submitting a customs declaration form via the app to obtain an electronic receipt and bringing a passport and phone or tablet with the receipt to a customs officer.

--Bay City News contributed to this report

--Mobile Passport Control Logo