With the summer travel season in full swing, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Field Operations at the Laredo Port of Entry is experiencing a significant increase in international travelers entering through the southern Texas border. To ensure a smoother crossing experience, travelers are advised to apply for tourist permits online and check Border Wait Times at www.cbp.gov to minimize travel delays.
"Planificar con anticipación puede ayudar a reducir los retrasos y hacer que su visita sea más eficiente," said Alberto Flores, Director of the Laredo Port of Entry. "CBP se ha preparado para asistir al público viajero con la apertura temporal de la instalación de procesamiento satelital I-94 en los Outlet Shoppes."
The Laredo Port of Entry will implement various measures to facilitate smooth and orderly traffic flow, including electronic tourist permits and an off-site I-94 satellite processing facility located on the ground floor of the Outlet Shoppes at Laredo across from Old Navy in Suite A490. This facility will operate until August 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
U.S. citizens are reminded to bring a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative-compliant document, such as a valid U.S. passport, trusted traveler program card, enhanced driver's license, or enhanced tribal card when re-entering the United States and should be prepared to present it if requested by a CBP officer during a border inspection.
CBP encourages all travelers to have their WHTI-compliant entry documents ready when approaching primary inspection booths and declare all agricultural items, liquor, currency or monetary instruments exceeding $10,000.
To help reduce wait times and long lines, travelers can take advantage of facial biometrics and the CBP Link mobile application—a single portal for multiple CBP services—to optimize user experience.
Travelers should understand the difference between prohibited merchandise (items legally banned from entering the U.S.) and restricted merchandise (items requiring special permission for entry). To avoid potential delays or fines due to bringing prohibited/restricted agricultural items, CBP advises travelers to declare all agricultural items upon arrival and consult the Know Before You Go guide before traveling.
The traveling public can monitor border wait times via this link or download the BWT app on their smartphone through Apple App Store and Google Play to observe wait times and make informed decisions about which bridge to use. These wait times are updated hourly.
Follow Director of Customs and Border Protection Field Operations (OFO) Laredo on X at @DFOLaredo and Customs and Border Protection at @CBPSouthTexas for breaking news, current events, human interest stories, and photos.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on land, air, and sea while facilitating safe lawful travel and trade ensuring economic prosperity through innovation intelligence collaboration trust.
