By Mark Edward Nero
Port Metro Vancouver has unveiled a first: 10 automated passport control kiosks at the Canada Place Cruise Terminal aimed at increasing cruise passenger processing rates through the US Customs area prior to embarking on a cruise from Canada to Alaska. “With this launch, Port Metro Vancouver’s cruise terminal has become the first worldwide to utilize automated passport control technology for US bound passengers,” Peter Xotta, Port Metro Vancouver’s vice president of planning and operations said.
Eligible passengers include US and Canadian passport holders and US permanent residents. The service is available without pre-registration and at no cost to the user.
Travellers can proceed directly to a self-service kiosk in the United States Customs and Border Protection processing area at Port Metro Vancouver, follow the on-screen instructions to scan their passport and answer customs declaration questions, then receive a receipt confirming their information and continue to a US Customs officer to finalize processing.
With this increased efficiency, cruise passengers leaving from Port Metro Vancouver are expected to experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster customs processing times.
“US Customs and Border Protection continues to assess and adjust its processes where appropriate and collaboratively work with the tourism industry,” US Customs and Border Protection Deputy Director, Kurry Pastilong said. “The recent evolution of APC for cruise ship passengers is just one more way that the agency is striving to ease the flow of passengers without sacrificing core mission requirements.”
