Portland airport installs BorderXpress automated passport control kiosks

Portland International Airport has installed eight BorderXpress Automated Passport Control kiosks in the PDX International Arrivals Hall, which effectively reduce waiting times by 25 to 40 percent.

Operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the self-service kiosks do not require any pre-registration and are free to use.

On May 20, the airport began testing the BorderXpress kiosks, which were developed by Vancouver International Airport’s Innovative Travel Solutions unit.

“The new Automated Passport Control kiosks will further our goal of providing the best possible customer service at Portland International Airport,” said Vince Granato, Port of Portland chief operating officer. “We appreciate the support of Vancouver Airport Authority’s Innovative Travel Solutions team in helping us continue to heighten the travel experience at PDX.”

Instead of completing a declaration card and showing their travel documents to a customs officer, eligible passengers — which include U.S. and Canadian passport holders and U.S. Permanent Residents — have the option of using an Automated Passport Control kiosk.

The BorderXpress kiosks are also ESTA-enabled, accepting eligible international travelers with Electronic System for Travel Authorization approval from 38 countries not requiring U.S. entry visas.

Following the on-screen instructions, travelers are prompted to scan their passport, answer the customs declaration questions using the touch screen, receive a receipt confirming their information, and proceed to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer to complete processing.

All ESTA and LPR travelers are required to scan their fingerprints using technology supplied by BorderXpress partner, Cross Match Technologies. The kiosks will also add facial recognition capabilities in the near future

“The facial recognition enhancement has been completed and is currently in its beta testing phase,” said Paul Mewett, director of Vancouver Airport Authority’s Innovative Travel Solutions said in an email. “We will roll this out to all BorderXpress APC kiosks when directed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. We are not yet able to announce our partner.”

Article Topics

airports  |  APC kiosk  |  biometrics  |  BorderXpress  |  Crossmatch  |  Innovative Travel Solutions