What is Mobile Passport Control and who can use it?

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free app authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and Canadian citizens traveling as B1/B2 visitors to submit passport information and a customs declaration digitally. Eligible travelers arriving at a participating US airport use a dedicated MPC lane instead of the standard primary inspection line, replacing the paper CBP Form 6059B customs declaration.

Does Mobile Passport Control cost anything or require pre-enrollment?

No. Mobile Passport Control is free to download and use and requires no pre-enrollment, background check, or government interview. You download the CBP-authorized app, create a profile with your passport details, and submit a declaration before or just after landing. This is the main practical difference from Global Entry, which requires a $100 application fee, a background check, and an in-person interview at a CBP Enrollment Center.

What is the single most important thing to do to use MPC effectively?

Submit your digital customs declaration while still on the plane, as soon as the aircraft lands and your phone has a signal. This means your QR code is generated and ready before you reach the CBP hall. Travelers who wait until they are standing in the customs area lose the time advantage MPC provides, especially at large hub airports where the walk from the gate to the customs hall can take ten minutes or more.

How does Mobile Passport Control compare to Global Entry?

MPC is free and requires no enrollment; Global Entry costs $100 for a five-year membership and requires a background check and in-person interview. Global Entry members use automated kiosks governed by 19 CFR Part 235 and typically clear customs faster than MPC users. Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck at no extra cost and is available to more nationalities and at more locations, including some international preclearance airports. MPC is the right starting point for travelers who have not yet enrolled in Global Entry.

What happens if I have goods to declare or agricultural items when using MPC?

If you are bringing in goods that exceed the duty-free allowance under 19 CFR Part 148 (Personal Declarations and Exemptions), or agricultural products that require USDA inspection, do not use MPC as your primary channel. The MPC lane is designed for straightforward arrivals. If you have complex declarations, follow the standard process or tell the CBP officer at the MPC lane, who will direct you to the appropriate secondary inspection area.

What Is Mobile Passport Control? How the CBP App Works

TL;DR

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free CBP-authorized app for U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and Canadian B1/B2 visitors. Submit your passport photo and customs declaration in the app after landing to use a dedicated MPC lane, with no enrollment or fee required.

Key takeaways

Mobile Passport Control is free to download and use and requires no pre-enrollment, background check, or government interview, unlike Global Entry which costs $100 and requires an in-person CBP interview.
MPC is available to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and Canadian citizens traveling on B1/B2 visitor status at participating airports; Visa Waiver Program travelers from other countries are not eligible.
Travelers submit a passport photo and digital customs declaration through the app after landing; the app generates a time-limited QR code that a CBP officer scans at the dedicated MPC lane.
MPC does not guarantee entry or replace the CBP officer inspection; the officer retains full referral authority to secondary inspection under 19 CFR Part 162, regardless of MPC status.
Submitting your declaration while still on the plane, as soon as you have a signal, means your QR code is ready before you reach the customs hall, which is the single most effective way to move through the MPC lane quickly.

Summary

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free CBP-authorized app that lets eligible US citizens and Canadian visitors submit their passport and customs declaration digitally before reaching a CBP officer, bypassing the standard paper form line at participating US airports. This article explains who qualifies, how the app works step by step, what to watch out for in the customs hall, and how MPC compares to Global Entry.

What Is Mobile Passport Control?

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)-authorized mobile application that replaces the paper Customs Declaration Form (CBP Form 6059B) for eligible travelers arriving on international flights at participating US airports. Instead of filling out a paper form on the plane and handing it to a CBP officer, MPC users submit their passport photo, a real-time selfie, and a digital customs declaration through the app. The app returns a time-limited QR code that the CBP officer scans at a dedicated MPC inspection lane.

CBP first authorized MPC in 2014 as a pilot program and has expanded it to a growing number of large international gateway airports. The program operates under CBP's authority to accept electronic declarations in lieu of paper forms, as established in 19 CFR Part 122 (Air Commerce Regulations), which governs the arrival and clearance of aircraft and passengers at US airports. The digital declaration substitutes for CBP Form 6059B under the paperwork-reduction provisions of that part.

Who Is Eligible?

U.S. citizens arriving from any international destination
U.S. nationals (including American Samoa and Swains Island passport holders)
Canadian citizens traveling as B1 (business) or B2 (tourism/visitor) visitors

Lawful permanent residents (green card holders), visa holders of other nationalities, and travelers on the Visa Waiver Program are not currently eligible for MPC and must use the standard primary inspection process or, if enrolled, Global Entry kiosks.

What MPC does not do: MPC does not pre-clear travelers or guarantee entry into the United States. A CBP officer still conducts an inspection; MPC streamlines the paperwork step only. Under 19 CFR Part 162 (Inspection, Search, and Seizure), the officer retains full authority to refer any traveler to secondary inspection regardless of MPC status.

How to Use Mobile Passport Control: Step by Step

Using MPC for the first time is straightforward. Follow these steps to be ready before your flight lands.

Download the app before you travel. Search for 'Mobile Passport Control' in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Confirm the publisher is Airside Mobile, the company CBP has authorized to operate the app. Download it before your departure so you are not relying on airport Wi-Fi on arrival.
Create a profile. Open the app and enter your passport details. You can store profiles for multiple family members traveling together. The app does not store biometric data on CBP servers; your information is transmitted only at the time of submission, consistent with CBP's published Privacy Impact Assessment for the MPC program.
Submit your declaration as soon as you land. The most effective practice is to open the app the moment the aircraft touches down and you have a cellular signal, before the seatbelt sign turns off. Take the required real-time selfie, confirm your passport details, and answer the customs declaration questions. These questions mirror CBP Form 6059B: goods you are bringing into the country, currency over $10,000, and whether you visited a farm or handled livestock abroad, as required under 19 CFR Part 122.27. Submitting while still on the plane means your QR code is ready before you reach the customs hall.
Receive your QR code. The app generates a QR code that is valid for a limited time after submission. Keep the app open and your screen on as you walk through the terminal. If your QR code expires before you reach the officer, you can generate a new one by resubmitting the declaration.
Follow MPC lane signs in the customs hall. At the CBP inspection area, look for signs directing MPC users to a dedicated lane. Present your physical passport and your phone displaying the QR code to the CBP officer. The officer scans the code, reviews your declaration, and completes the inspection. No paper form is needed.
Proceed to baggage claim. After the officer clears you, collect your checked bags as normal. MPC does not affect baggage handling or the baggage claim process.

Traveling with family: You can submit a single group declaration for up to 12 people through the app, mirroring the household-member rule on the paper CBP Form 6059B. Each traveler must be in your app profile before you submit.

Common MPC Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Most problems travelers encounter with MPC come down to a handful of avoidable errors. Knowing them in advance means you can sidestep them entirely.

Waiting until you are in the customs hall to open the app. At a large hub airport, the walk from the gate to the customs hall can take ten minutes or more. Travelers who wait until they are standing in the inspection area lose the time advantage MPC provides. Submit your declaration on the plane.
Letting the QR code expire. The QR code is valid for a limited time after submission. If you submit too early on a long taxi to the gate and then spend time at baggage claim, the code may expire before you reach the officer. If it does, resubmit the declaration in the app; the process takes under a minute.
Phone battery running low. The officer must be able to scan the QR code on your screen. Carry a portable charger on long international flights and top up your battery before landing.
Not having your physical passport accessible. The CBP officer will ask to see your actual passport alongside the QR code. Under 8 USC Section 1185, US citizens are required to present a valid US passport when entering the country from abroad. Keep it in your hand as you approach the MPC lane, not in a bag you have to search through.
Using MPC when you have complex declarations. If you are bringing in goods that exceed the duty-free allowance under 19 CFR Part 148, or agricultural products requiring USDA inspection, the MPC lane is not the right channel. Tell the officer at the lane entrance, who will direct you to the correct area.

Mobile Passport Control vs. Global Entry: Which Is Right for You?

Both MPC and Global Entry offer a faster path through US customs for eligible travelers, but they work differently and suit different traveler profiles. Here is a direct comparison.

Mobile Passport Control

Cost: Free to download and use
Enrollment: None required; create a profile in the app in minutes
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, Canadian B1/B2 visitors
Process: Digital declaration submitted via app; CBP officer scans QR code in a dedicated lane
TSA PreCheck: Not included
Best for: Travelers who fly internationally occasionally and have not yet enrolled in Global Entry; Canadian visitors who are ineligible for Global Entry

Global Entry

Cost: $100 for a five-year membership (confirm current fee at cbp.gov before applying)
Enrollment: Online application, background check, and in-person interview at a CBP Enrollment Center required; governed under 19 CFR Part 235 and the DHS Trusted Traveler Programs framework
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, and citizens of select partner countries including Canada, Germany, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, South Korea, Switzerland, and the UK; full current list at cbp.gov
Process: Automated kiosk scans passport and fingerprints; receipt presented to CBP officer for final clearance
TSA PreCheck: Included at no extra cost under the DHS Trusted Traveler Programs interoperability agreement
Best for: Frequent international travelers who want the fastest possible customs clearance and the added benefit of TSA PreCheck for domestic flights

If you fly internationally more than once or twice a year, Global Entry's combination of faster customs clearance and TSA PreCheck typically justifies the $100 fee. Many premium travel credit cards reimburse the Global Entry application fee as a cardholder benefit; check your card's benefits guide before applying. If you are a first-time or occasional international traveler, MPC is the logical starting point because it costs nothing and requires no advance planning beyond downloading the app.

What This Article Does Not Cover

This article covers Mobile Passport Control as it operates under CBP authorization for eligible travelers arriving at US airports on international flights. It does not cover:

Land and sea border crossings: MPC is an air-arrival program only. Land border crossings and cruise ship arrivals use different CBP processes governed by 19 CFR Part 123.
Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) travelers from countries other than Canada: These travelers are not currently eligible for MPC and should use the standard primary inspection line or, if enrolled, Global Entry.
CBP One: CBP One is a separate CBP app used for scheduling appointments at ports of entry and for certain asylum-related processes under 8 CFR Part 208. It is not the same as Mobile Passport Control and serves a different purpose.
Specific airport terminal layouts: MPC lane locations vary by airport and terminal. Always confirm current lane locations through the airport's official arrivals information or the CBP MPC page at cbp.gov before your trip.
Fee and eligibility changes: CBP periodically updates the list of participating airports and eligible nationalities. Always verify current information at cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/mobile-passport-control.

Commercial disclosure: Airport Online publishes airport information microsites for US commercial airports and earns revenue through display advertising, affiliate links, and partner placements. This article is editorially independent and does not promote any specific app developer, airline, or travel product.

Call to action

Explore Airport Online for international arrivals guides, terminal maps, and ground transport information for your US hub airport.

FAQ

What is Mobile Passport Control and who can use it?: Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free app authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and Canadian citizens traveling as B1/B2 visitors to submit passport information and a customs declaration digitally. Eligible travelers arriving at a participating US airport use a dedicated MPC lane instead of the standard primary inspection line, replacing the paper CBP Form 6059B customs declaration.
Does Mobile Passport Control cost anything or require pre-enrollment?: No. Mobile Passport Control is free to download and use and requires no pre-enrollment, background check, or government interview. You download the CBP-authorized app, create a profile with your passport details, and submit a declaration before or just after landing. This is the main practical difference from Global Entry, which requires a $100 application fee, a background check, and an in-person interview at a CBP Enrollment Center.
What is the single most important thing to do to use MPC effectively?: Submit your digital customs declaration while still on the plane, as soon as the aircraft lands and your phone has a signal. This means your QR code is generated and ready before you reach the CBP hall. Travelers who wait until they are standing in the customs area lose the time advantage MPC provides, especially at large hub airports where the walk from the gate to the customs hall can take ten minutes or more.
How does Mobile Passport Control compare to Global Entry?: MPC is free and requires no enrollment; Global Entry costs $100 for a five-year membership and requires a background check and in-person interview. Global Entry members use automated kiosks governed by 19 CFR Part 235 and typically clear customs faster than MPC users. Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck at no extra cost and is available to more nationalities and at more locations, including some international preclearance airports. MPC is the right starting point for travelers who have not yet enrolled in Global Entry.
What happens if I have goods to declare or agricultural items when using MPC?: If you are bringing in goods that exceed the duty-free allowance under 19 CFR Part 148 (Personal Declarations and Exemptions), or agricultural products that require USDA inspection, do not use MPC as your primary channel. The MPC lane is designed for straightforward arrivals. If you have complex declarations, follow the standard process or tell the CBP officer at the MPC lane, who will direct you to the appropriate secondary inspection area.

Sources

Last reviewed Oct 29, 2026