U.S. Customs and Border Protection
I. About CBP:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a unified law enforcement border agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responsible for securing our Nation’s borders while facilitating the flow of legitimate international travel and trade that is so vital to our economy. Within this broad responsibility, CBP’s priority mission is to prevent terrorist and terrorist weapons from entering the United States while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws. CBP is the largest and one of the most important operational law enforcement agencies within DHS.
The CBP Attaché works under the Chief of Mission authority, representing CBP programs and initiatives and advising the Ambassador on issues related to trade, immigration and border security. The Area of Responsibility (AOR) for the CBP Attaché in Singapore, consists of 6 countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea. The CBP Attaché supports and oversees all CBP programs within the AOR, such as the Container Security Initiative, Trusted Traveler Program, Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism, and various capacity building programs. The CBP Attaché also acts as a liaison for all CBP programs with the host governments ensuring that CBP personnel have the resources and support they need to carry out their duties. In addition, the CBP Attaché collaborates with U.S. government partners on topics such as promoting trade and travel and fighting terrorism. For additional information on CBP’s mission and various programs, please visit the CBP webpage at www.cbp.gov.
II. Trusted Traveler Program (TTP)
CBP conducts limited Interviews for eligible members to complete their Global Entry and/or U.S. APEC Business Travel Card Enrollments at the U.S. Embassy Singapore. To apply or find out more information about the TTP, please visit CBP’s website at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/ .
- Please log in to your TTP account online to schedule an interview appointment at https://ttp.dhs.gov. You may also Check Interview Availability on the TTP website for available openings to reschedule your appointment.
- Interview appointments are very limited at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore and are generally held on Wednesdays.
- We do not accept walk-ins without appointments at the US Embassy Singapore.
- Eligible applicants residing outside of Singapore may schedule their interview appointments online at the TTP website to complete their enrollment at the U.S. Embassy in Singapore. However, please be forewarned that appointments are made at the applicants’ own risk. Should the CBP’s enrollment system be down on the day of your appointment, CBP officers in Singapore reserve the right to reschedule your interview.
Traveling to the US? You can complete Enrollment on Arrival.
Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) is a CBP program that allows Global Entry and/or US APEC card applicants who are conditionally approved to complete their interviews upon arrival into the United States. The EoA program eliminates the need for an applicant to schedule an interview at an enrollment center to complete the application process.
When landing in an international terminal, follow the EoA signage at the entrance of the international arrivals hall directing you to CBP officers who will complete your interview during your admissibility inspection.
A list of participating EoA airports can be found here – https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/enrollment-arrival
III. Questions and Information:
- If you have a question on the Global Entry Program, or any CBP related questions on travel or trade, please send an email to the CBP Office at US Embassy, Singapore, at: globalentrysingapore@state.gov. We will attempt to respond to your inquiry within 72 hours. For information about the Embassy closure dates, please check here for a list of holidays.
- CBP has over 600 answers to your most frequently asked questions (FAQs), as well as a few that are not so common on our FAQs page. Please use this link to research the information you need. If you do not find the answers you need or have additional questions, you could send your questions to our Support Team via email through our support portal https://help.cbp.gov. We will attempt to respond to your inquiry within 72 hours.
Another option is to contact the CBP Information Center to speak with a CBP officer:Office hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Holiday hours: Closed on all federal holidays
For general inquiries call – international callers may dial: 00+1+202-325-8000.
Here are some popular Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) links:
- Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Action: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program/visa-waiver-program-improvement-and-terrorist-travel-prevention-act-faq
- Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA): https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq?lang=en
- Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS): https://www.evus.gov/#/faq
- Trusted Traveler Program (TTP): https://ttp.dhs.gov/faq?lang=en
- Global Entry Program: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/frequently-asked-questions
- U.S. APEC Card Program: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/apec-faqs#;
- I-94 Travel Records for U.S. Visitors: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/faq
IV. Traveler issues/complaints
If you have repeatedly experienced intensive inspections going through customs and/or immigration formalities or encountered other serious issues on arrival to the United States, you may have the situation reviewed by submitting a request for redress though the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP) Website.
V. Importing something into the United States
All products offered for entry into the United States, including items for commercial use or personal use, must be declared to the CBP, and meet the requirements and regulations of the relevant U.S. agencies. If you require assistance on importation requirements, you may contact a CBP Import Specialist located at the Centers of Excellence and Expertise (CEE), or a CBP Port of Entry, or a licensed broker for assistance.
A list of licensed customs brokers may be found here: Licensed Customs Brokers.
Note: There is no legal requirement to hire a Licensed Customs Broker. Many importers opt to do so for convenience, as brokers are versed in all required CBP systems, paperwork and bonds. Customs Brokers are licensed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to conduct CBP business on behalf of importers. The importer is ultimately responsible for knowing CBP requirements and for ensuring their importation complies with all federal rules and regulations. Using a Licensed Customs Broker can save importers from making costly mistakes.