see also: in November 2008:   Thanksgiving Day Marijuana Seizure Yields 450 Pounds at Douglas Port of Entry   Registered Sex Offender Intercepted by CBP at Pacific Highway Entry   CBP Officers Seize 145 Pounds of Ecstasy at Vermont Entry   CBP Officers in Boston Seize Undeclared $19,300   CBP Advises Travelers of Temporary Construction at Otay Mesa Border Crossing   CBP Officers in Niagara Falls Arrest Man Wanted in California   Customs and Border Protection Officers in New York Arrest Imposter ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers   Know Before You Go   Top 10 Traveler Tips (pdf - 880 KB.) CBP Border Wait Times on the web:   U.S. Department of State

contacts for this news release

Chicago - The holiday travel season has begun and Customs and Border Protection would like to remind international travelers this is one of the busiest travel times of the year.

To help make the international travelers experience flying into Chicago O’Hare International Airport as trouble free as possible CBP would like to provide holiday travel season tips.

On a typical day, CBP welcomes more than 1 million international travelers into the United States at land, air and sea ports. CBP officers use the latest technologies and procedures to assure that travelers from throughout the world are processed rapidly while assuring that individuals who have ties to terrorism or a criminal background are barred from entry. CBP officials would like to take this opportunity to remind members of the traveling public that there are a number of steps they can employ to make their entry into the United States quick, safe and without incident.

Here are some travel tips offered by Customs and Border Protection for your visit or return to the United States that can also be found on CBP’s Web site. ( Know Before You Go )

• Have all the required travel documents for the countries you are visiting, as well as identification for re-entry to the United States. A passport is required for returning U.S. citizens when flying internationally.
• 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 addition, all live birds and bird products, whether for personal or commercial use, may be restricted and/or quarantined.
• When you arrive at a port of entry in the United States, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will inspect you. 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, make sure that the airline ticket agent collects your I-94 form.
• See our “Top 10 Travel Tips”, as well as a wealth of Frequently Asked Questions concerning international travel at CBP's Web site. ( Top 10 Traveler Tips (pdf - 880 KB.) )
• To address arriving international travelers comments or concerns about the CBP inspections process CBP Passenger Service Manager Patrick Salgado, is the primary point of contact at (773) 894-2900 ext. 2872.
• Visit the CBP Border Wait Times to view recent wait times for the airport you will arrive at. This will help you gauge how long your clearance process will take. ( CBP Border Wait Times )

Global Entry is a new program to allow approved U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents returning to the U.S. to use the Global Entry kiosk as an alternative to the regular passport control line. The Global Entry pilot program began October 14 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. To date, approximately 452 members have already enrolled and over 215 Global Entry members have used kiosks at O’Hare International Airport. At the kiosk, Global Entry members will activate the system by inserting their U.S. passport or lawful permanent resident card into a document reader. The kiosk will direct travelers to provide digital fingerprints and will compare that biometric data with the fingerprints on file.

Since January 31, CBP officers no longer accept an oral declaration of citizenship. All individuals entering the country at land and sea ports of entry, from within the Western Hemisphere, must have documentary proof of identity and citizenship. Documents that can be used to gain entry into the U.S. include official passports, passport cards, copies of birth certificates along with government-issued photo identification, enhanced driver’s licenses and NEXUS cards.

“CBP is dedicated to ensuring that all arriving international passengers are treated with the highest level of courtesy and professionalism,” said David J. Murphy, CBP director of Field Operation in Chicago. We hold steadfast in ensuring that the international travelers experience during the CBP process in not an unpleasant one.”

For more information on the latest travel tips and regulations, please visit CBP’s Web site and the State Department’s Web site. ( Know Before You Go ) ( U.S. Department of State )

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.