see also: in May 2008:   Deputy Chief of the Border Patrol Announces State of the Agency   CBP Celebrates Significant Occasions at Advanced Training Center in West Virginia   CBP to Issue New Frequent Traveler Cards   Ecstasy and Methamphetamine Seized at Ambassador Bridge   CBP Races to Secure NASCAR’s Monster Mile   CBP Air and Marine Agents Interdict Migrants in Florida at the Start of Memorial Day Weekend   Border Patrol Agents Rescue 51 Illegal Aliens from Tractor Trailer ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers on the web:   Travel.State.gov

contacts for this news release

New York — U.S. Customs and Border Protection is providing traveler tips to kick off the summer travel season. The goal is to ease the burden of millions of air travelers who visit or return from travel abroad each year via John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty International Airports.

"The United States is a welcoming nation," said Susan T. Mitchell, CBP director of field operations in New York. "While Customs and Border Protection’s primary mission is anti-terrorism, we are committed to keeping America’s doors open and secure. Properly filling out the Customs Declaration form and being aware of regulations, such as food or agriculture items that may be prohibited, allows travelers to have a smoother process upon arrival.” Nearly 16 million travelers entered or returned to the U.S. at JFK and Newark Liberty last year.

Last month, CBP announced that both JFK and Newark Liberty have been added to expand the Model Ports Initiative. Part of The Rice-Chertoff Initiative established in 2006, Model Ports will assist in enhancing border security with the use of the best new technologies, while streamlining security processes and facilitating travel for legitimate visitors. This joint venture between federal agencies, the travel industry, airlines and airport authorities was designed to improve our processes for clearing and welcoming travelers into the United States.

Earlier this month, CBP started accepting applications for its new trusted traveler program called Global Entry. Applications are being accepted online at www.cbp.gov. Global Entry is a new pilot program managed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection which allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers expedited clearance upon arrival into the United States. Participants will enter the United States by utilizing automated kiosks located, first at Terminal 4 - John F. Kennedy International Airport, Washington-Dulles International Airport, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The process will require participants to present their machine-readable U.S. passport or permanent residency card, submit their fingerprints for biometric verification, and make a customs declaration at the kiosk’s touch-screen.

“We want to ease congestion through CBP processing as the summer travel season gets underway. Our motto is ‘Know before you go,’ because a well-informed traveler can expedite their entry into the U.S.,” said Susan Mitchell. Here are a few travel tips, whether you are traveling abroad, returning home or visiting the United States:

• Make sure that you have the proper travel documents, both for the country you are visiting, as well as for your return to the United States.
• If you are headed overseas, learn about the country or countries you are visiting and any local conditions that might affect your trip by consulting www.travel.state.gov. You can also use the site to register your trip and have travel information sent right to your email. ( Travel.State.gov )
• Make sure you find out the rules and regulations concerning food and agricultural items before you travel, as some are prohibited or must meet certain requirements, such as a license or permit, in order to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases in the U.S
• When you arrive at a port of entry in the United States you will be inspected by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. Be prepared to tell the officer the purpose of your trip and those items that you purchased or obtained abroad.
• If you are a visitor to the United States, the officer may require you to provide your biometrics – digital finger scans and photograph – to verify your identity against your travel documents. This simple and fast collection of biometrics is the same as you experienced if you had to get a visa for your trip to the U.S.

As a visitor to the U.S., when you depart; be sure that the airline ticket agent collects your I-94 form.

For more information on the latest travel tips and regulations, please visit CBP’s Web site at www.cbp.gov.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.