U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer processes an arriving international traveler at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) using Enhanced Primary Processing (EPP).
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) said a new facial recognition program being trialed at the airport by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has cut processing time for returning U.S. citizens nearly in half.
In early February, CBP rolled out “Enhanced Primary Processing” (EPP) at CLT, introducing biometrics to the entry process for U.S. citizens. Similar EPP trials are also underway at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Since the program was introduced at CLT, the average wait time for U.S. citizens at customs has lowered from 16 min. to 8.63 min., the airport said. Even though foreign passengers are not part of the program, the knock-on effect of moving U.S. citizens through faster has lowered non-U.S. passengers’ customs processing from an average 22 min. to 14.33 min, according to CLT.
U.S. citizens arriving at CLT from international destinations present themselves at a designated EPP facial recognition kiosk to begin the biometrics entry process.
“A camera linked to CPB’s Travel Verification System compares live facial images with existing photos from the passenger’s travel documents and the airline manifest, which the airlines transmit 24 hours before arrival,” CLT said.
This replaces the process of a CBP officer manually inspecting passports and documents. “Passengers who choose not to have their photo taken will be redirected to a CBP officer to complete their processing,” CLT said.
After having photos taken at a CBP kiosk, passengers declaring items purchased abroad are directed to a CBP officer, who then clears them to exit customs.
“The facial comparison technology is designed to create a more secure and seamless process for U.S. citizens entering ... the country,” CLT said. “It also prevents CLT’s federal inspection station and primary inspection hall from becoming overcrowded with passengers arriving simultaneously on multiple international flights. During peak times, there can be as many as 10 arriving flights, each with an average of 200 passengers on board.”
CLT pointed out “there is no cost associated with using” EPP. Global Entry passengers can bypass the EPP process. The airport noted the Global Entry program “costs $120 for a five-year membership and requires a background check and interview.”
CBP expects around 2 million international passengers will arrive at CLT in the 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2025. About 85% of passengers arriving on international flights at CLT are U.S. citizens eligible for EPP.
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