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US Border Crossing Guide – August 2025 Current Procedures

What’s new right now (Aug 2025) for travelers driving or walking into the United States (from Mexico or Canada), and for air arrivals. This is not legal advice.

  • CBP device searches are at a record high this year. Expect more questions about travel purpose, funds, and electronic devices.
  • Expanded use of Ready Lanes (RFID-enabled ID) at some land ports speeds processing for eligible travelers.
  • Dogs: Strict CDC rules are in force—every dog must be microchipped, at least 6 months old, and have a CDC Dog Import Form; extra rules if coming from a high-rabies country.

1) One-Page Traveler Checklist

Before You Go

  • ✔️ Documents (per traveler): Passport book or WHTI-compliant document (e.g., U.S. passport card, Enhanced Driver’s License, SENTRI/NEXUS/Global Entry card). Visas/ESTA if required.
  • ✔️ Vehicle: Registration & insurance; SENTRI/NEXUS windshield tag (if enrolled).
  • ✔️ I-94 (if required): Apply and pay online (land entries for many non‑U.S. citizens).
  • ✔️ Cash/Form 105: If your family group carries >$10,000 total in currency/monetary instruments, plan to declare it on FinCEN 105.
  • ✔️ Meds: Original containers, doctor’s note/prescription (English), ≤90‑day personal supply.
  • ✔️ Food/Ag items: Check what’s prohibited/restricted; declare all food, plants, seeds.
  • ✔️ Electronics: Consider carrying only what you need. Log out of cloud, use strong passcodes, and disable biometric unlock before inspection.
  • ✔️ Kids & Pets: Bring birth certificates/passports; consent letters when a child isn’t with all legal guardians. Dogs: CDC Dog Import Form; extra paperwork if from high‑risk countries.
  • ✔️ Apps & Info: Download CBP Border Wait Times app; know your port’s hours and lanes (Ready/SENTRI/NEXUS/General).

At the Border

  • ✔️ Be ready to state: citizenship, destination address, trip purpose/duration, items to declare.
  • ✔️ Use Ready/SENTRI/NEXUS lanes only if every passenger is eligible.
  • ✔️ Declare all food, alcohol/tobacco, gifts, and large currency amounts. Keep receipts handy.
  • ✔️ If referred to secondary inspection, stay calm. Follow instructions; you may be asked for detailed questions, receipts, device access, and baggage inspection.

After Entry

  • ✔️ Non‑U.S. citizens: Verify or print your I‑94 record and “admit until” date.
  • ✔️ Consider DHS TRIP if you are repeatedly delayed or misidentified.

2) What to Expect: Roles & Procedures

Who you’ll meet

  • CBP Officers (Ports of Entry) check passports/visas, customs declarations, agriculture items, and may search baggage and electronic devices.
  • U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) operates between ports and at interior checkpoints (often within ~100 miles of the border).
  • ICE conducts immigration enforcement inside the U.S. (raids, detention, worksite enforcement)—less likely to be the officers you meet at the port.

Primary vs. Secondary

  • Primary inspection: brief interview and document scan.
  • Secondary inspection: additional questioning, verification, baggage checks; can include searches of devices and vehicles. Time varies—plan for possible delays.

Interior checkpoints (e.g., in AZ, CA, NM, TX): All vehicles must stop. Agents may ask limited questions about citizenship and visually inspect the vehicle. Without additional cause, detention should be brief. You may be sent to secondary for the same limited purpose.

3) Documents & Express Lanes

Acceptable ID for Land/Sea (WHTI)

  • U.S. passport book or passport card
  • Enhanced Driver’s License (select states) / Enhanced Tribal ID
  • Trusted Traveler cards: SENTRI, NEXUS, Global Entry, FAST (program‑specific lanes)
  • Children under 16 (U.S. citizens, land/sea only): birth certificate or equivalent proof of citizenship is generally acceptable; passports required for air.

Ready Lanes

  • Dedicated lanes for travelers with RFID‑enabled IDs (passport card, EDL, some TTP cards). Every passenger (except young children) must have an eligible RFID ID to use the lane.

I‑94 Arrival/Departure Record

  • Many non‑U.S. citizens entering by land need an I‑94. Apply/pay online before you arrive to save time; print or save the record after entry.

Plan for Waits

  • Check CBP Border Wait Times (web or app) for your port. Peak times: mornings, evenings, holidays, and Mondays.

4) What You Can (and Can’t) Bring

Currency

  • You may carry any amount, but declare if your group has more than $10,000 (cash, money orders, traveler’s checks, certain negotiable instruments). File FinCEN 105.

Food & Agriculture

  • Declare all food, plants, seeds, and animal products. Many fresh fruits/veggies/meats are restricted or prohibited.

Medication

  • Keep in original containers with your name; carry a doctor’s note/prescription (English). Bring only a 90‑day supply for personal use. Some meds are prohibited; when in doubt, declare and bring documentation.

Alcohol/Tobacco

  • Duty‑free personal allowances exist but vary by residency/absence length. Always declare; officers will advise taxes/duties if applicable.

Cannabis/THC products

  • Illegal under U.S. federal law at ports of entry—even if legal in the state you’re entering from. Do not carry marijuana or THC products across the border.

5) Electronics & Digital Privacy

  • CBP may conduct basic (manual) searches of devices without suspicion. Advanced (forensic) searches require reasonable suspicion or national security concerns under current policy.
  • U.S. citizens & LPRs: You can refuse to share passwords; you cannot be denied entry for refusal, but devices may be detained and delays can occur.
  • Visitors (non‑immigrants): Refusal can lead to denial of entry.

Practical Tips

  • Travel with minimal devices/data; back up beforehand.
  • Power down devices before crossing; use a strong passcode (avoid biometrics) until after inspection.
  • Log out of sensitive accounts; consider using a loaner device if you carry highly sensitive data.

6) Traveling with Children & Pets

Children

  • Bring proof of citizenship/relationship (passports for air; birth certificates for land/sea where allowed).
  • If a child travels without one/both legal guardians, carry a notarized consent letter authorizing the trip (recommended; required by some countries/airlines).

Dogs (all entries, including land)

  • Must be ≥6 months old, microchipped, appear healthy, and have a CDC Dog Import Form (one per dog).
  • If the dog has been in a high‑risk rabies country in the last 6 months, extra steps apply (vaccination/testing/approved arrival airports). Some foreign‑vaccinated dogs from high‑risk countries cannot enter at land borders.

7) Safety & Practical Travel Tips

  • Use official crossings only; avoid night travel along remote stretches.
  • Keep valuables out of sight; fuel up before long waits; carry water and shade in hot weather.
  • Have a paper or offline copy of lodging contact info and U.S. address.
  • If you’re repeatedly delayed/misidentified, consider filing a DHS TRIP redress inquiry.

8) Help & Resources

  • Border Wait Times (BWT) app/site – live waits, lane status
  • I‑94 (apply/retrieve) – land entries & travel history
  • CBP ‘Know Before You Go’ – prohibited/restricted items
  • CBP Agriculture – what food you can bring
  • FinCEN 105 – report >$10,000
  • Trusted Traveler (SENTRI/NEXUS/Global Entry) – program FAQs
  • DHS TRIP – redress for screening issues
  • Find an immigration lawyer – AILA directory; nonprofit legal aid directories

Last updated: August 21, 2025

Prepared for general travelers; for specific cases (asylum, prior overstays, criminal history, complex visas), consult a qualified immigration attorney before travel.  This guide is based on publicly available information as of August 2025. Immigration laws and enforcement procedures can change rapidly. Consult with qualified immigration attorneys for specific legal advice.