The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) announced a new process to reduce wait times for U.S. citizens arriving from international destinations. The Airport, in partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has launched Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP), a contactless inspection process which uses auto-capture cameras and biometric facial comparison technology to process travelers. Since launching EPP nationally, CBP has recorded an average of 25% reduction in wait times for U.S. citizens.
“We are thrilled to launch Enhanced Passenger Processing at SFO,” said Airport Director Mike Nakornkhet. “This latest innovation reflects our ongoing commitment to make our international arrival experience easier and more efficient for travelers.”
How EPP Works
When U.S. citizens enter the passport processing area, auto-capture cameras, staffed by CBP officers, take a quick photo. Within seconds, the EPP system compares the captured image to passport photos already stored in CBP’s database, verifies identity and citizenship, performs law enforcement vetting, and creates an entry in the travel record. CBP officers are always available to guide and assist passengers through this process. By fully automating the administrative process, CBP officers are able to focus on the inspection and engaging with U.S. travelers.
