CBP Customer Service (2024)

FAQs

Are you required to answer CBP questions? ›

If you are held at the checkpoint for more than brief questioning, you can ask the agent if you are free to leave. You always have the right to remain silent. However, if you don't answer questions to establish your citizenship, officials may detain you longer in order to verify your immigration status.

For questions regarding Global Entry or any other U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program, you can visit the CBP Info Center website or contact the Global Entry Enrollment Center nearest you. For inquiries regarding the denial of a Global Entry application, visit the Denial Inquiries page.

Try to remain polite and calm and don't take it personally if the officer seems abrupt; CBP officers are trying to screen a lot of people as quickly as possible. Why are you visiting the United States? Your answer must match your visa (or the legal requirements for admitting you without a visa).

You have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police, immigration agents or any other officials. You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, whether you are a U.S. citizen, or how you entered the country.

All persons, baggage, and merchandise arriving in, or departing from, the United States are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This search authority includes all electronic devices crossing our nation's borders.

Contact the information center at 1 (877) 227-5511 to cancel or reschedule within 24 hours.

Due to a seasonal increase in applications, you can expect your application to be processed for Global Entry (6-8 months), NEXUS (16-18 months) and SENTRI (12 -14 months). This includes vehicle enrollments. The vetting process cannot be expedited.

Two easy ways you might speed up your Global Entry application. One way you might be able to expedite the Global Entry application process is by using the program Enrollment on Arrival (EoA). Another way is by utilizing a third-party service called Appointment Scanner.

Contact us at 1-800-753-1000, option 6, or via email to info@cbpinsure.com to request paper copies.

How do I speak with a live person at immigration office? ›

Dial 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833, VRS 877-709-5797) and ask your question in English or Spanish.

Call US Customs and Border Protection at 1 (202) 325-8000 or visit their website. Terminal 1 Passengers: CATSA security screening begins at 3:00 am. Passengers can then enter the USCBP hall. USCBP processing takes place from 3:30 am until 9:00 pm.

As always, you have the right to remain silent. Refusing to answer CBP's questions may result in the agent persisting with questioning. If this occurs, you should ask if you are being detained.

For information about international travel, visit http://www.cbp.gov/xp/ cgov/travel/. For more information, please contact the CBP Information Center at (877) 227-5511.

Your CBP Interview

The CBP officers are authorized to ask you questions about your trip and your personal background, including: Your citizenship. The nature of your trip. Anything you are bringing back to the United States that you did not have when you left.

Each individual arriving into the United States must complete the CBP Declaration Form 6059B. Explanations and a sample declaration form can be found on the Sample Customs Declaration Form.

If you would like to make a claim for property damage or loss, or personal injury, or death resulting from the negligent or wrongful acts or omissions of an employee of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), you must file an administrative tort claim against the agency.

Travelers may check their admission status at https://I94.cbp.dhs.gov and clicking on the 'View Compliance' tab. E-mail notifications will come from travelercompliance@cbp.dhs.gov. If your notification e-mail did not come from this address, it may be a phishing scam or other fraudulent e-mail.