San Francisco International (SFO) has become the latest airport to expedite its Customs process for international arriving passengers through the installation of Automated Passport Control kiosks.
The kiosks allow eligible international travelers to submit their Customs declarations form and biographic information electronically, reducing the time they spend with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer.
Individuals can complete the process now in approximately 90 seconds, airport officials say.
“We are committed to improving the arrival experience for our international travelers, and these new Automated Passport Control kiosks provide an easy way to speed through the Customs process,” says John Martin, airport director. “International traffic continues to grow at SFO, and this automation will help ensure that our international arrivals facility can efficiently accommodate the increased activity.”
The system is available to U.S. and Canadian passport holders, lawful permanent residents and international visitors under a visa waiver program. Touch-screen instructions on the kiosks, available in 13 languages, guide travelers through the experience. Successful users are issued a receipt confirming their information, which they show to a CBP officer for final processing before proceeding to international baggage claim.
Innovative Travel Solutions won a competitive bid to install the 40 kiosks at SFO and maintain them for a three-year period.
