Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free CBP-authorized app that lets eligible travelers submit passport and customs declaration information on their phone before reaching the inspection booth. At STT, it unlocks a dedicated MPC lane that’s consistently shorter than the standard queue — no Global Entry enrollment required.
What is Mobile Passport Control?
Mobile Passport Control is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that lets eligible travelers process their customs arrival inspection through a smartphone app rather than the standard paper form and queue. CBP authorized the program to reduce congestion at international arrival halls — and it works.
Unlike Global Entry, MPC requires no enrollment, no background check, and no fee. You download the app, create a basic profile, and you’re ready. The tradeoff is that you still see a CBP officer at the end — MPC gets you to a dedicated, shorter line, not an automated kiosk. In practice, the MPC lane at STT moves significantly faster than the regular inspection queue, especially when multiple international flights land in the same window.
Who is eligible?
MPC is available at STT to:
- U.S. citizens with a valid U.S. passport
- U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- Canadian passport holders visiting the U.S. — eligibility applies at most participating airports including STT; confirm at cbp.gov before your trip
U.S. passport card holders are not currently eligible — only U.S. passport books work with the app. If you travel to the BVI or other international destinations on just a passport card, you’ll need to use the standard lane.
Each traveler needs their own MPC submission. Families can file together using one device, but each member’s passport must be scanned individually and all names included on a single household submission (up to 12 people traveling together).
Why it matters at STT specifically
Cyril E. King Airport is a U.S. port of entry. That means anytime you arrive at STT from outside the United States — from the British Virgin Islands after a sailing trip, from a direct international charter, or from another Caribbean nation — you go through CBP customs inspection right there at the airport.
STT has a relatively small international arrivals hall compared to major hubs. When BVI day trips wrap up in the late afternoon and multiple ferry landings and charter flights converge on the same inspection windows, the standard queue can back up quickly. The dedicated MPC lane keeps you moving.
If you’re doing a BVI day charter departing from St. Thomas, you’ll clear BVI customs on arrival in BVI and then U.S. customs at STT on return. Set up MPC before your charter day and have your submission ready before the boat docks — it takes less than three minutes to complete.
How to set up and use the app
Step 1 — Download the app
Search “Mobile Passport Control” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The official app is published by Airside Mobile and is free. Download it before your trip — you’ll want it set up before you land, not while you’re standing in the arrivals hall.
Step 2 — Create your profile
Open the app and add a traveler profile. You’ll enter your passport information manually or by scanning your passport’s machine-readable zone. The app stores your profile securely for future trips — you won’t need to re-enter your passport details each time.
Step 3 — Submit before you reach the booth
Once your flight lands (or your boat/ferry arrives and you’re heading to the CBP inspection area), open the app and complete a new trip submission:
- Take a new selfie — the photo must be taken fresh for each trip
- Answer the CBP customs declaration questions (what you’re bringing back, amounts, agricultural items)
- Submit — the app generates a QR code receipt
The QR code is time-limited. Submit when you’re in the terminal and ready to approach the inspection area — not hours in advance.
Step 4 — Use the MPC lane
Follow signage in the STT arrivals area to the dedicated Mobile Passport Control lane. Show the CBP officer your QR code on your phone screen. The officer will scan it, review your submission, verify your passport and photo, and complete your inspection. You’re done.
Keep your passport in hand — the officer still needs to see the physical document. The app replaces the paper I-94 arrival form and speeds up the officer’s review, but you still have a brief face-to-face inspection.
MPC vs. Global Entry: which should you get?
| Feature | Mobile Passport Control | Global Entry |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | $120 (5-year membership) |
| Enrollment required | No — download and go | Yes — online application + in-person interview |
| Background check | No | Yes |
| Inspection process | Dedicated lane, CBP officer | Automated kiosk, then brief officer review |
| TSA PreCheck included | No | Yes |
| Available at STT | Yes | Yes |
| Speed vs. standard queue | Significantly faster | Fastest option |
If you travel internationally more than two or three times a year, Global Entry is worth the $120 — it’s faster than MPC and the TSA PreCheck benefit alone pays for itself quickly. But if you only do the occasional Caribbean trip or want a zero-effort upgrade for this vacation, MPC is the right call. You can use MPC immediately with no wait time for approval.
Global Entry holders can also use the MPC lane if the kiosks are unavailable, but typically the Global Entry kiosk lane is faster.
Planning a BVI charter from St. Thomas?
VIslandGuide’s Charter page covers what to expect on a USVI/BVI day charter — including what you’ll need at BVI customs on the way in and at STT on the way back.
Yacht Charter Guide →What to declare at STT customs
The MPC app walks you through the CBP customs declaration — the same questions that used to be on the paper form. Key items to know:
- Duty-free allowance from USVI: U.S. residents returning from the U.S. Virgin Islands get a higher duty-free exemption than from most other destinations — $1,600 per person (vs. $800 from most countries). An additional $1,000 in goods is taxed at a flat 5% rate.
- Alcohol: You may bring back 5 liters of alcohol duty-free from the USVI (vs. 1 liter from most other countries), provided at least one liter was produced in the USVI or BVI.
- Agricultural items: Fresh fruit, vegetables, meats, and live plants are restricted. Declare anything you’re unsure about — the penalty for failing to declare is far worse than the inspection.
- Currency: Amounts over $10,000 in cash (or equivalent) must be declared regardless of which customs program you use.
The enhanced duty-free allowance is one of the genuinely good perks of traveling through the USVI — use it. The MPC app makes declaring your purchases quick and straightforward.
Frequently asked questions
Does St. Thomas airport (STT) have Mobile Passport Control?
Yes. STT is a participating MPC airport. Look for the dedicated MPC signage in the arrivals and customs inspection area when you land.
Is Mobile Passport Control free?
Completely free. No enrollment fee, no government application, no background check. Download the app, create a profile, and you’re eligible to use it on your next international arrival at a participating airport.
Who can use MPC at STT?
U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents with a valid U.S. passport book. Canadian visitors are also eligible at STT — confirm current eligibility at cbp.gov before your trip.
How is MPC different from Global Entry?
Both give you a faster path through CBP, but Global Entry costs $120 and requires in-person enrollment. MPC is free with no enrollment — you still see a CBP officer in a dedicated shorter lane rather than using an automated kiosk.
Do I need to use MPC when departing the USVI for the mainland?
No. Flights between the USVI and the U.S. mainland are domestic — no customs inspection on departure or arrival. MPC applies when you arrive at STT from an international destination (BVI, another Caribbean nation, or a transatlantic flight), or when you arrive at any participating U.S. port of entry after international travel.
Can my whole family use one MPC submission?
Yes — family members or travel companions sharing the same address can be included on a single submission from one device, up to 12 people. Each person’s passport must be scanned and listed individually on the combined household form.
Check STT flights before you go
See live arrivals, departures, and airport crowd forecasts for Cyril E. King Airport on the VIslandGuide Flights dashboard.
STT Flight Dashboard →