U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced the unveiling of new technology that will enhance and streamline the passenger experience for U.S. citizens entering the United States.
Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP) is a pre-primary queue segmentation process and involves photographing travelers using auto capture technology to provide a complete customs assessment (biometric confirmation, eligibility, enforcement) before they reach a CBP officer. This process fully automates the Simplified Arrival process – by simplifying the inspection and adjudication process, officers can focus on the traveler in front of them. Additionally, this enhanced technology ensures better allocation of resources, allowing officers to focus on higher-risk travelers, which aligns with CBP’s national security mission.
While the process is rapid and touchless, CBP officers are still on hand to instruct passengers on the process and assist them at any given point during screening. Any passenger wishing to not participate in the EPP process will need to notify an officer and they will then go through the standard entry process.
EPP is just a part of CBP’s Airport Modernization efforts centralizing on streamlining traveler processing by reducing manual systems and increasing security through technology enhancements. The goal of Airport Modernization is to enhance national security and enforcement capabilities through an efficient and lawful travel experience, reducing the administrative burden on CBP officers.
“CBP is committed to enhancing national security while streamlining lawful travel,” said CBP New Orleans Director of Field Operations Steven Stavinoha, who oversees operations at BNA. “Americans entering the United States at Nashville International Airport will have a more efficient and pleasant experience with these enhancements. By leveraging advanced technologies and mobile applications, we are transforming inspections at airports into a seamless, touchless process, enabling faster risk identification and efficient processing of legitimate visitors.”
In fiscal year 2024, CBP processed over 420 million travelers at ports of entry — a 6.6% increase from the previous year. CBP continues to roll out airport modernization enhancements to support the expected increase in international travel. Enhanced technology ensures better allocation of resources, allowing officers to focus on higher-risk travelers, which aligns with CBP’s national security mission.
The original announcement can be found here.