App that lets you skip US customs line now launched at YVR
After a summer filled with long lines at airports, untold delays, and baggage snafus – travellers going through Vancouver International Airport (YVR) have a new tool that will make the process smoother.
An app from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that aims to help minimize long waits at customs has just become available at YVR.
Previously, it launched at Toronto Pearson Airport (which ranks the worst in the world for flight delays) and Montreal’s Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport (which was roasted by a former NHL player).
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Mobile Passport Control (MPC), released in late August, allows Canadians to skip the US customs line by submitting their passport and customs declaration information for free through an app on their smartphones.
CBP says this will hopefully result in “less congestion and more efficient processing” at airports since travellers who use the MPC app won’t have to complete a paper form or use an Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosk.
Effective February 1, 2022, @CBP Mobile Passport Control application will be the only CBP mobile application available for public use. Airside Mobile Passport and CLEAR Pass will be discontinued as of January 31, 2022. Learn more in the press release: https://t.co/evCl6gHG2E pic.twitter.com/hLMEIJTI9z
— CBP (@CBP) January 25, 2022
How does it work?
You can download the MPC app for free from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
After downloading, you’ll be asked to create a profile with your name, gender, date of birth, country of citizenship, and passport information.
When landing in the US or going through the airport, travellers will select their airport and terminal, take a selfie, and answer CBP inspection-related questions on the app.
Once you submit your information through the app, you’ll receive an electronic receipt with an encrypted QR code, which you will show to a CBP officer.
CBP says the app can be especially helpful for families travelling together, as it allows for a single household to submit one MPC form.
Liv McKilkenny posted a TikTok about how the app let her skip the US customs line at Pearson.
“I literally am like baffled right now that I just walked by everyone in that line from this new app,” she said in the video.
@livmcilkenny this ones for my loves-to-leave-toronto besties #toronto #pearson ♬ original sound – liv mcilkenny
It doesn’t look like things are slowing down at Canadian airports heading into fall, so why not wait in one less line using this app?
With files from Daily Hive Staff
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- Vancouver International Airport is Canada's only airport rated above average for passenger satisfaction in North America