US Customs and Border Protection and Mexican authorities activated a new land border pre-clearance system on June 1 2026. The pilot operates at the Tijuana San Diego and Ciudad Juarez El Paso crossings. Pre-approved travellers complete US immigration and customs before departing Mexico.
Enrollment requires a valid passport and background check through the CBP One mobile app. Approved participants receive a QR code valid for 90 days. Average wait times have already decreased from 90 minutes to under 50 minutes during morning peaks.
Commercial truck traffic benefits from dedicated lanes reducing delays for fresh produce imports. Passenger vehicle lanes now accommodate 1200 cars per hour at each site. Both governments plan expansion to four additional crossings by late 2027.
Privacy advocates raised concerns about data sharing between the two nations. Mexican tourism officials expect smoother cross-border day trips from California and Texas. The program excludes individuals with prior immigration violations.
Real-time wait time displays are available on the CBP website. Frequent business travellers report significant productivity gains from faster crossings. Joint training for officers concluded last week in preparation for full rollout.
Performance metrics will be published quarterly starting September. The initiative aligns with broader North American supply chain modernization efforts. Officials emphasize the program remains voluntary for all travellers.