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Cruise: Metro Vancouver

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Port Metro Vancouver: Automated Passport Control Kiosks Installed at Canada Place Cruise Terminal

Port Metro Vancouver, in collaboration with the Vancouver Airport Authority, unveiled 10 automated passport control (APC) kiosks at the Canada Place Cruise Terminal on May 13. The objective is to increase cruise passenger processing rates through the United States Customs and Border Protection area prior to embarking on cruises from Vancouver to Alaska.  

"With this launch, Port Metro Vancouver’s cruise terminal has become the first worldwide to utilize automated passport control technology for U.S. bound passengers," said Peter Xotta, the port authority’s vice president of planning and operations. "These kiosks will further enhance the cruise passenger experience at Canada Place."  

Travelers using BorderXpress 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 U.S. Customs officer to finalize processing.

According to the port authority, BorderXpress kiosks help U.S. Customs officers to process up to four times more passengers than through traditional clearance. This means that travelers leaving Port Metro Vancouver will experience shorter wait times, less congestion and faster customs processing times.
 
"U.S. Customs and Border Protection continues to assess and adjust its processes where appropriate and collaboratively work with the tourism industry. 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," said Deputy Director Kurry Pastilong of U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Eligible passengers for BorderXpress include U.S. and Canadian passport holders and U.S. Permanent Residents. This service is available without pre-registration and at no cost to the user.

More than 812,000 passengers were processed through the port’s cruise facilities in 2014. A similar number is expected this year.
BorderXpress Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks at the Canada Place Cruise Terminal.
Photo/Port Metro Vancouver
 

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