Do you enjoy standing in line? Maybe the children just can’t wait to board the cruise or plane or are tired and cranky from their travels. Maybe you are exhausted and have twice as much luggage when you return from your amazing vacation or are worried about a flight to catch and just WISH so hard that the lines would move faster? I know I have been in all those situations from tired and impatient to worried about making a flight or shuttle when we are traveling. This year I have taken the time to put some research into our next vacation and have created the ultimate guide to help cruise and air travelers save time getting through TSA and customs.
Saving Time Traveling: At the Airport
Transportation Security Administration’s TSA Pre✓®
One way of saving time at the airport is by utilizing the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA Pre✓® option. It can save you time and stress. With a 5-year, $85 membership, you can speed through security and don’t need to remove your shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. Available to U.S. citizens, nationals and LPRs. TSA uses unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen.
How do you get Transportation Security Administration’s TSA Pre✓®?
Submit an online application in 5 minutes and schedule an appointment at any of 380+ enrollment centers.
A 10-minute, in-person appointment that includes a background check and fingerprinting.
Add your Known Traveler Number to your ticket and enjoy the benefits of TSA Pre✓® when you follow the signs for TSA Pre✓®
Get more details and questions answered on the TSA website.
Other time-saving efforts at the airport that don’t cost you a penny:
- Arrive early. There may be long lines. And not everyone may know the tips you are reading right now! If you are a TSA Pre✓® holder it may not always be available during certain times of the day.
- Have your passport or Drivers License and boarding pass (ticket or cell phone) ready when you first approach. This keeps the line moving. Considering getting a wallet cell phone case. I find it really useful especially when traveling.
- Store small stuff. Place items like your cell phone in your carry on bag. It seems like every time I got to the airport there is an announcement that someone left a cell phone or tablet at the checkpoint.
- Check your clothing. Wear slip-on shoes as they are easier to remove and to put back on. Avoid wearing layers of clothing like a jacket or hoodie as you may be asked to take it off.
- Do not bring a bottle of water or other beverages through the checkpoint with you. You will be asked to dispose of them. Be aware of the size of your other liquids and be sure to either pack them in your checked baggage or use a freezer-size Ziploc bag and place it near the top of your carry on so you can easily and quickly send it through security.
- Do not talk on the phone. Now is not the time to multi-task.
- You may be asked to follow “old rules,” or to undergo additional security measures. It is best to keep your jokes to yourself as well as not touch anything. Just let them do their job.
- Take your belts, bags and bins to a bench or chair to get dressed or organized again. Please don’t do it standing at the end of the checkpoint station. This allows others to continue moving through.
- It may not get you through the line faster, but a simple smile and a thank you, when they hand you your items back, can go a long way towards making it a little nicer experience.
Save Time Traveling at the Cruise Port
Back to basics:
- Pack the night before.
- Fill out all documents and place them in an easily retrieveable place.
- Allow the cruise line to handle the baggage.
Mobile Passport app is authorized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors to expedite their entry process into the United States. There is no charge and it takes just a few steps:
- Set up your profile by entering information as it appears on your valid, official passport. You can set up profiles for your entire family. Your information will be encrypted and shared only with CBP.
- Answer CBP’s five brief questions about your trip. Then carefully review all of your information for the trip.
- Once you are at your port of entry (airport or seaport), connect to wireless or wi-fi and submit your data to CBP. When you submit, you are confirming under penalty of law that your information is correct.
- Within a few seconds, you will receive a CBP receipt with an encrypted barcode. Your receipt will be valid for 4 hours.
- Follow the Mobile Passport Control signs to the designated Mobile Passport Control line. Show your passport to the CBP officer and scan the barcode on the CBP receipt.
Check ahead for specifics that apply where you are traveling. For example, according to Port Everglades, only U.S. citizens with a valid passport and Canadian citizens traveling with both a valid passport and a B1 or B2 visa are eligible to use Mobile Passport. Be sure to visit the website for additional information, other eligibility information on any other questions you may have.
Many of the other travel tips to help you with cruising are the same as those discussed in TSA/Flying and Customs.
Save Time Traveling through Customs
Let’s start with the basics:
- Save your receipts from your purchases. That Ziploc bag can come in handy in this situation too.
- Carry a copy of your Passport with you.
- Make a copy of your packing list. As you repack to depart for the airport (or the cruise ship) check your list of packed items against the recipts.
- Don’t use your cell phone. They are very strict about this rule and you may incur a fine.
- Do not take pictures. They are not permitted. Now is NOT the time to take a selfie and share with your friends your travel destination – or your frustration with long lines.
- Bring a pen with you – the next tip is why.
- Do have your documents ready. Fill out all the forms before you land or disembark the cruise ship.
- Know before you go what isn’t permitted into the United States and take a look at this sample so you will know what information you are going to be asked for.
- Leave food items behind.
- Don’t declare anything you don’t have to, but if there is any doubt about it you probably should declare it.
- Remember there are limits. You will have to pay customs duty and taxes on items you bring back with you if their total value exceeds your customs allowance.
- Have some “racy romantic photos” of you and your significant other (or someone special you met on your trip? Delete them before you leave and don’t have prints.
Programs and Apps
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.
- At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.
- Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment.
- While Global Entry’s goal is to speed travelers through the process, members may still be selected for further examination when entering the United States. Any violation of the program’s terms and conditions will result in the appropriate enforcement action and termination of the traveler’s membership privileges.
- A $100 one-time fee is required with your Global Entry application and must be paid at the time of application submission through the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) System. You can pay by credit card or through an electronic bank transfer. The fee is non-refundable, even if an application is denied.
The Trusted Traveller Program. There are several different programs associated with the TTP, including U.S. travel, U.S. to Canada Travel, U.S. and Mexico travel, and F.A.S.T which is the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Visit their website for more information, details and how to apply.
Mobile Passport Control, (yes there’s even an app for that!) which allows you to use a smartphone or tablet to submit their passport information and answer CBP inspection-related questions prior to CBP inspection.
You can also use the Automated Passport Control system which expedites the entry process for U.S., Canadian and eligible Visa Waiver Program international travelers by providing an automated process through CBP’s Primary Inspection area. Travelers use self-service kiosks to respond to CBP inspection related questions and submit biographic information. APC is a free service, does not require pre-registration or membership.
This information is subject to change. We all know that travel requirements, legalities and procedures frequently change. Be sure to always explore the options listed and completely fulfill the requirements posted by each organization. Pack your patience because even with these helpful tips travel troubles can happen. The best way to handle them is to simply make the best of it.
Safe travels!
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