PHILADELPHIA, PA — U.S. travelers returning from overseas through Philadelphia International Airport will now move through customs faster and with fewer steps after the launch of a new biometric screening system designed to speed arrivals while maintaining security.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Philadelphia International Airport on Wednesday announced the rollout of Enhanced Passenger Processing, or EPP, a touchless technology that uses facial comparison and biometric software to verify the identity and citizenship of eligible U.S. citizens arriving from international flights.
Under the system, cameras operated by CBP officers automatically capture a traveler’s photo at the inspection area. Within seconds, the image is compared against photos already in CBP records, such as passport images, while law enforcement checks are conducted and a crossing record is created. The process eliminates several manual steps while keeping officers present to assist passengers and monitor higher-risk travelers.
CBP officials said the technology allows officers to devote more attention to traveler interaction and enforcement priorities by automating routine processing for travelers with no enforcement concerns.
Since EPP launched nationally in August 2025, CBP has recorded a 25% reduction in wait times for U.S. citizens, according to the agency. The system is now operating at 15 U.S. airports, six international preclearance airports in Aruba, Canada, and Ireland, five seaports of entry, and one land border crossing.
Participation in the program is voluntary. Travelers who prefer not to use facial comparison technology can notify a CBP officer and proceed through the standard international arrivals process.
Cleatus P. Hunt Jr., CBP’s area port director for Philadelphia, said the technology is intended to improve the traveler experience while strengthening national security operations at a major international gateway.
Philadelphia International Airport’s information technology department worked with CBP to deploy the system, with airport officials noting that ongoing Wi-Fi and network upgrades are supporting new technologies like EPP.
In fiscal year 2024, CBP processed more than 420 million travelers at U.S. ports of entry, a 6.6% increase from the previous year. Federal officials say modernization efforts, including biometric processing and mobile tools, are critical as international travel volumes continue to climb.
CBP also offers several free mobile applications — including Global Entry, Mobile Passport Control, and ESTA Mobile — to help eligible travelers streamline their entry into the United States, though all travelers remain subject to inspection and must meet legal entry requirements.
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