[SAYING "WELCOME" IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES]
Welcome to The United States!
We realize many of you have traveled a great distance
so we want to streamline the entry process
so you can reach your final destination.
This short video will help explain the process.
- Hi! Welcome to the United States!
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers
take your safety and that of our country very seriously.
They’ve been safeguarding our nation’s borders for more than 200 years
and continue to be the first line of defense.
- How are you today? - Oh, very good.
- Your immigration status will be confirmed and is subject to further review.
- How long were you out of the country? - One week.
We may also need to inspect your baggage or personal items.
If you don’t understand something, just ask.
Our goal is to help get you on your way as soon as possible.
- U.S. Citizens, this way please.
- Follow the designated signage for U.S. citizens and lawful residents
as well as those for visitors from other countries.
Want to bypass the regular lines?
U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents
and citizens of currently participating countries
approved for the Global Entry Program
can proceed to one of these automated kiosks for faster processing.
Look for them at select airports.
You can learn more about Global Entry at GlobalEntry.gov.
U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents,
international visitors traveling on a B-1 or B-2 Visa
and some Visa Waiver travelers
may also be able to use the Automated Passport Control,
or APC, kiosks available at select airports.
If you need clarification on which approved travel identification
you're carrying, visit CBP.gov to learn more about APC.
Travelers with Global Entry or those going through Automated Passport Control
will no longer need to fill out a paper Customs Declaration Form.
Those not using the automated kiosks need to have
a completed declaration form ready along with a valid passport.
Non-US or Canadian citizens may need an I-94 admission record
to verify immigration status or employment authorization.
If you do need your I-94 admission record,
it can be accessed online at CBP.gov.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is always striving to improve
the travel screening process, so be sure to visit cbp.gov/travel
for the most up-to-date information on documentation and travel needs.
Place your completed declaration form into the front cover of your passport.
When it’s your turn, a CBP officer will call you to the counter
to review your documents and may ask a few questions.
Such as...
What was the purpose of your trip?
- Vacation... - Business...
- Medical conference.
- Easy enough, right?
You may also have your fingerprints and photo taken.
Say cheese...
- Why did you take my mommy’s fingerprints?
- Good question.
To make sure somebody isn’t pretending to be your mom,
and to help keep you and your family safe.
- If you have anything to declare, including merchandise,
food or plant products of any kind,
make sure to inform the CBP officer.
This includes U.S. citizens and legal residents,
who must declare all items they purchase while abroad.
Failure to declare these items can result in fines, penalties
and seizure of those items and nobody wants that.
Let's grab our luggage, shall we?
It’s always a good idea to check the tags on your bag
to make sure that the luggage belongs to you.
It can easily be confused.
- Get off my bag. Sir...
- A CBP officer may ask you to report to the secondary area
for further inspection of your baggage.
Should you be selected, an officer or CBP Agriculture Specialist
may do a visual inspection of the contents of your luggage
looking for items not allowed into the United States.
- Really?!
- While some fruits, vegetables, and meat can enter the United States,
they must be inspected for insects or diseases.
Failing to declare these items can cause delays and result in
possible fines to cover the cost of their safe removal.
If you have items to declare, present your CBP Declaration Form
with the items in question for the officer’s inspection.
If you exceed your personal exemption, you may owe duty fees.
- You will be directed to the cashier... - Here you go.
- ...to pay the amount due.
At the final checkpoint, present your paperwork to the officer.
- Thank you, have a nice day.
- Travelers with connecting flights will need to have
their baggage checked and screened in order to board the next flight.
Check the monitors for gate information on your connection.
If this is your final destination,
you can get information about ground transportation, hotels,
sights to see, and other activities
at the local information desk in the main terminal.
That’s it!
Welcome to the United States
and thanks for helping us keep our country safe.
Have a great trip.