U.S. Customs and Border Protection

What Visitors Should Know

Learn how U.S. Customs and Border Protection works, what public-facing services, records, or data it provides, and where visitors can verify official source links.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection handles border inspections, customs enforcement, trade facilitation, travel entry rules, trusted traveler programs, import requirements, agriculture inspections, and border-security operations. This profile explains the agency in practical terms: what it is responsible for, how people may encounter it, and which public-facing records or services matter most.

Visitors may use CBP sources to understand entry requirements, check wait times, use Global Entry or other trusted traveler programs, review import rules, and access trade or customs information. Use CBP.gov, traveler resources, trade pages, port information, wait-time tools, ruling databases, Federal Register notices, and official guidance to verify current entry, customs, and trade requirements. When legal precision, benefits, applications, deadlines, or compliance rules matter, use those official sources before relying on a summary.

What Customs and Border Protection Does

U.S. Customs and Border Protection handles border inspections, customs enforcement, trade facilitation, travel entry rules, trusted traveler programs, import requirements, agriculture inspections, and border-security operations. Visitors may use CBP sources to understand entry requirements, check wait times, use Global Entry or other trusted traveler programs, review import rules, and access trade or customs information. Use official source links for current forms, deadlines, eligibility rules, data, legal notices, public records, and contact channels.

Public ServicesReview travel entry rules, port information, wait times, and trusted traveler programs.

Official InformationFind customs, import, agriculture, and trade compliance resources.

Benefits and AssistanceUse official complaint, contact, and traveler assistance channels.

Rules and GuidanceVerify current border, customs, and trade rules before acting.

How It Fits In Government

Operating ComponentU.S. Customs and Border Protection sits inside Department of Homeland Security. Parent departments usually shape budgets, leadership, policy direction, and official source trails for their bureaus and operating components.

Public AccountabilityIts work may appear through official notices, regulations, reports, data systems, service portals, hearings, inspections, grants, enforcement actions, or public contact channels.

Where To VerifyUse the official agency website first for current forms, deadlines, leadership, program rules, contact information, and legal notices.

Public Service Guide

How visitors may use Customs and Border Protection

This profile is designed to help visitors find practical government services, not just describe the agency in the abstract. Start with the official sources below, then use related public service links when a specific form, record, benefit, complaint, data tool, or office is needed.

Public Services Visitors May Need

TravelOpen official source Trusted traveler programsOpen official source Importing and exportingOpen official source CBP contact and reporting resourcesOpen official source Agency WebsiteOpen official source Federal Register documentsOpen official source Regulations.gov searchOpen official source USAspending searchOpen official source FOIA.gov agency searchOpen official source

Budget, Records, and Public Accountability

Agency work can also show up in official records: rules, notices, spending data, public comments, reports, grants, enforcement actions, or Act, the federal law that lets the public request many agency records.">FOIA/public-record systems. Use these sources to move from a plain-English profile to the official record trail.

Federal Register documentsSearch official notices, rules, proposed rules, and presidential or agency documents.Regulations.gov docketsFind rulemaking dockets, supporting materials, and public comment opportunities.USAspending searchSearch federal awards, grants, contracts, loans, and spending records.FOIA.gov agency searchFind public-record request routes and FOIA contact information.

Learn More

Official records and updatesLook for current announcements, notices, rulemaking, public data, forms, and contact information directly from official sources.

Related servicesMany agency services connect to benefits, taxes, passports, safety, records, grants, complaints, inspections, research, or public information requests.

When to use this profileUse this page to understand what the agency does, then follow official links for applications, deadlines, eligibility rules, data, and legal text.