CBP COVID-19 Updates and Announcements

USA.GOV | Passports and Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic

TRAVEL.STATE.GOV | U.S. Department of State International Travel Resources

TRAVEL ALERT: Beginning on January 22, 2022, DHS will require non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter the United States via land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide related proof of vaccination, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise nationwide.

These new restrictions will apply to non-U.S. individuals who are traveling for both essential and non-essential reasons. They will not apply to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, or U.S. nationals.

Read more about from the Department of Homeland Security's Fact Sheet: Guidance for Travelers to Enter the U.S. at Land Ports of Entry and Ferry Terminals

Travel of U.S. Citizens with Expired Passports

As of May 21, 2021, U.S. citizens will be able to use their expired U.S. passports to return to the U.S. through Dec. 31, 2021. Expired passports cannot be used to travel from the U.S. to an international destination or to travel to a foreign country for any length of stay longer than an airport connection en route to the U.S. or to a U.S. territory. Any questions concerning the scope or implementation of this guidance, including the authorization for U.S. citizens to board an aircraft, should be directed to the appropriate Regional Carrier Liaison Group or other designated CBP official for adjudication prior to aircraft departure.If you are overseas and your passport expired on or after January 1, 2020, you may be able to use your expired passport to return directly to the United States until December 31, 2021. For more information please visit: travel.state.gov

Trusted Traveler Program (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) 

CBP Trusted Traveler Programs Enrollment Centers resumed operations on September 8, 2020. Beginning September 8, conditionally approved Global Entry applicants will be able to complete in-person interviews at most Trusted Traveler Programs enrollment centers in the United States. These applicants must schedule enrollment center interviews in advance by logging into their account on the Trusted Traveler Programs website.  Enrollment on Arrival remains operational at participating airports. NEXUS and U.S.-Canada FAST interviews at U.S. and Canadian enrollment centers will remain suspended until further notice. SENTRI and FAST-South enrollments on the southern border may also be limited.

Visa Waiver Program Updates

CBP Offers Flexibility to Departing Visa Waiver Program Travelers - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced April 17, 2020 that Visa Waiver Program travelers who have been granted satisfactory departure may now apply for an additional 30-day extension of their admission period if they remain unable to depart the United States because of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). These travelers may apply for the additional satisfactory departure period by contacting: (1) any local CBP Port of Entry or Deferred Inspection Site; or (2) the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Contact Center. Travelers should be prepared to provide their passport number when submitting their request. 

e-SAFE Biometrics Processing and Forms I-192 and I-212 Collection

In the interest of minimizing exposure and controlling the spread of COVID-19, effective March 21, 2020, CBP's Admissibility Review Office temporarily suspended, at the designated CBP ports of entry (POE), the collection of Form I-192, Application for Advance Permission to Enter as a Nonimmigrant, Form I-212, Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal, and the mandatory biometrics capture for electronic applications filed via e-SAFE.  This suspension will effect applicants applying at POEs along the Northern Border and Preclearance locations in Canada for non-essential travel.

CBP extended the suspension of biometrics processing at e-SAFE Ports of Entry for non-essential travel. The suspension will remain in effect from 07/22/21 until 08/21/21, or until revoked, due to current travel restrictions..  Applicants who’ve applied via e-SAFE are encouraged to monitor their e-mail and the e-SAFE website for updates.  CBP will continue to monitor the situation in order to resume biometrics capture and I-192/I-212 applications processing at the POEs as soon as possible.  We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience through this process. Additional information for essential travel is available at https://federalregister.gov. More information about e-SAFE is available at https://e-safe.cbp.dhs.gov/

Coronavirus Exemptions Available to Travelers

This CBP guidance for carriers clarifies exemption categories to Presidential Proclamations 9984 (China), 9992 (Iran), 10143 (Schengen Area, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Brazil, and Republic of South Africa) and 10199 (India). This guidance is a consolidation of all exemptions currently available to travelers and does not contain any new exemptions or restrictions.

Travel of U.S. Citizens with Expired Passports

As of May 21, 2021, U.S. citizens will be able to use their expired U.S. passports to return to the U.S. through Dec. 31, 2021.Expired passports cannot be used to travel from the U.S. to an international destination or to travel to a foreign country for any length of stay longer than an airport connection en route to the U.S. or to a U.S. territory. Any questions concerning the scope or implementation of this guidance, including the authorization for U.S. citizens to board an aircraft, should be directed to the appropriate Regional Carrier Liaison Group or other designated CBP official for adjudication prior to aircraft departure.

Carrier Liaison Program Coronavirus Guidance

CBP guidance for carriers regarding the January 31, 2020, Presidential Proclamation titled, “Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Non-immigrants of Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus and Other Appropriate Measures to Address this Risk,” that suspended the entry into the United States of all aliens, with certain exceptions, who have been physically present in the People’s Republic of China (excluding the special autonomous regions of Hong Kong and Macau), during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States.

Air Carrier Submission of CBP Form 7507

Effective June 16, 2020, and for the duration of the pandemic or until further notification, CBP will permit the owners and operators of commercial aircraft to submit CBP Form 7507 via e-mail at ports of entry nationwide. CBP is offering this flexibility to commercial air carriers to promote social distancing and minimize the exposure of air carrier and CBP personnel to COVID-19. Air carriers may submit CBP Form 7507 via e-mail for both arriving and departing commercial aircraft for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. To exercise this option, the owner, operator or representative of the commercial aircraft must contact the port of entry at which their aircraft will arrive or depart to obtain the applicable email address and instructions from CBP.  Port of entry contact information may be found on CBP.gov. CBP recommends that air carriers protect all Personally Identifiable Information (PII) sent via e-mail.  Federal government standards for the use of encryption can be found on the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s website. CBP 7507, also known as the General Declaration, is a form that the owners or operators of commercial aircraft submit to CBP to provide basic flight itineraries, passenger and crew information, and other information about the arrival and departure of aircraft entering or exiting the United States.  This accommodation is not intended to and does not amend or supersede any current regulations.

Anuncios de Viajes y Avisos en Espanol

• CBP extiende hasta el 8 de septiembre el cierre de los centros de inscripción de Viajero de Confianza
• Restricción temporal de viajeros que cruzan la frontera terrestre de Estados Unidos-Canadá y México con fines no esenciales
• El CBP ofrece flexibilidad a los viajeros del Programa de Exención de Visa que salen del país debido a COVID-19
• ¿Qué es un viaje esencial?
• El CBP extiende el cierre temporal de los centros de inscripción del Programa Trusted Traveler (“Viajeros de Confianza")
• CBP-coronavirus (COVID-19) - Preguntas Frecuentes del Residente Permanente Legal (LPR, por sus siglas en inglés)
• Nueva Estrategia de Entrada COVID-19 para Pasajeros Aéreos Internacionales
• CBP coronavirus (COVID-19) Preguntas Frecuentes de Inmigrantes-Visitantes
• CBP-coronavirus (COVID-19) - Viajando desde Canadá o México Preguntas Frecuentes
• Viajero Confiable- Reprogramar o cancelar una cita

COVID-19 Relief Imports

In an effort to coordinate inquiries regarding the import of medical supplies and personal protective equipment, CBP's Pharmaceuticals, Health and Chemical Center of Excellence and Expertise has established the COVID-19 Cargo Resolution Team (CCRT).  This team is a multidisciplinary team to triage incoming inquires, coordinate with affected ports, and respond directly as appropriate. COVID-19 Relief Imports will be used as CBP’s coordinating mechanism for receiving and responding to inquiries concerning COVID-19 Relief Imports.  Assigned staff will also coordinate with the ports and other government agencies to ensure that legitimate shipments are not unnecessarily delayed. See also, WCO Releases HS Classification Reference for COVID-19 Medical Supplies - Guidance from the World Customs Organization (WCO). 

Consumer Awareness for COVID-19 Safety Guidelines

Helpful advice to help you protect yourself, your family, and others through safe online shopping. Some foreign online sellers may be taking advantage of American consumers by charging high prices for counterfeit or substandard sanitation products and safety equipment. Be aware before you buy.

Regulations and Rulings

Temporary Postponement of Duties, Taxes, and Fees due to COVID-19 -  the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the designee of the Secretary of Homeland Security (U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)), is amending the CBP regulations to temporarily postpone the deadline for importers of record with a significant financial hardship to deposit certain estimated duties,taxes, and fees that they would ordinarily be obligated to pay as of the date of entry, or withdrawal from warehouse, for consumption, for merchandise entered in March or April 2020, for a period of 90 days from the date that the deposit would otherwise have been due but for this emergency action. 

The National Commodity Specialist Division is accepting binding ruling requests. To submit requests via eRulings and for updated guidance, visit https://erulings.cbp.gov/s/. Please note: delays may occur in processing due to COVID-19.

Regulatory Audit and Agency Advisory Services

Regulatory Audit and Agency Advisory Services (RAAAS) in the COVID-19 environment continues to conduct audits while following CDC health and safety guidelines. Given the preventative risk mitigation measures, both domestic and international, such as social distancing, avoiding group meetings, travel restrictions, shelter in place, and telework environment, as result of the pandemic, please feel free to contact your audit point of contact provided to discuss alternative options to continue the stages of your audit via virtual meetings, technology and secure file transmission protocols we are in the process of implementing to address the audit challenges in the COVID-19 environment.

Alternative Recordkeeping

RAAAS continues to support the advanced notification of intent to convert original customs records into an alternative method of storage as defined in 19 C.F.R. § 163.5(b)(2).  For quicker response and communication method during the COVID-19 protocol, please send your communication and notices to the following email address: CBPRECORDS@CBP.DHS.GOV.

See all CSMS messages

This section contains links to PGA COVID-related information that could impact CBP trade operations. Please reference and bookmark these links. CBP will update this list as additional information become available.

PGA Codes Related to COVID-19

What is CBP doing to safeguard its employees/personnel during this pandemic?  

In order to minimize exposure to COVID-19, the CBP workforce is using social distancing to the maximum extent possible. CBP has ensured that personnel who cannot telework have ready access to Personal Protective Equipment and comprehensive guidance for the use of that equipment. CBP is taking every precaution to keep our workforce, their families and the American people safe while still accomplishing the CBP mission.

What specific protective equipment is CBP providing to agents and officers?

CBP has provided extensive guidance to all of its employees regarding the risk-based use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PPE recommendations range from gloves to N95 respirators, eye protection, disposable outer garments and more based on infectious disease risks, job functions, and job settings. CBP has also issued sanitary guidance to its facilities specifically to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Overall, CBP has had 23,574  federal employees test positive for COVID-19. 64 have unfortunately died as a result of the virus.

_{*As of March 3, 2022}

Due to the on-site staffing shortages caused by COVID-19, effective immediately and until further notice, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Chief Counsel is not accepting personal service of process for actions against the Agency or its personnel in their official capacity. Please refer to CBP's service of process procedures for additional information.