On my recent flight to the USA from Heathrow, I noticed a lot of things aboard the 777 I was aboard. But there’s one thing I didn’t report on – the lack of Blue US Customs Forms being offered (and these were only offered towards the end of the flight in certain cases).
The US Customs form 6059B Image – http://www.cbp.gov/travel/us-citizens/sample-declaration-form.
The past few times I’ve been through Chicago, I’ve been using the Automated Passport Control kiosks – which asks the same questions as the blue customs form – and thus at the end not needing to turn in the customs form.
Passengers with Global Entry or using the Automated Passport Control Kiosks will therefore no longer need to complete this form.
This extends to:
- US Citizens
- Lawful US Permanent Residents
- B1/B2 Visa
- Some Visa Waiver Passengers
This is stated in the video above at about 1:34.
Whilst this seems to have been the case for a year or so, airlines have been slow to put this into effect, rather pushing the form onto every family leader.
If you’re not using Global Entry or Automated Passport Control – you will need to fill in the blue form still.
Still – for those going into the United State of America, one less piece of paperwork does make a difference after a long flight… as well as a slightly quicker passage through customs.
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Actually, I don’t understand the transition to APCs. Used to be, you fill out the blue form, then get in line at immigration. Now you get in line at APC, then get in another line to see the border patrol officer. So it’s now two lines instead of one. Seems like we’re moving backwards
You should say it’s been going away for many for a few years already.
There’s also the mobile passport app which allows you to complete this form on the phone then submit once you arrive. Currently available only to US or Canadian passport holders. I usually use global entry, but as one app reviewer noted this made a great backup when the kiosks were not working.
I think they still include these in the airplanes, “just in case” and also to give people time to complete the forms before landing and also to offer the form in different languages.
Kevin: I am a NEXUS holder – do you know if this privilege is extended to NEXUS holders? NEXUS holders have Global Entry…..