CBP Extends Weird 'Air Declaration Zone' Experiment Two More Years
Published Date: 7/29/2026
Notice
Summary
This notice announces that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is extending the Air Declaration Zone Test for an additional two years. Current CBP regulations require each traveler to provide a CBP officer with an oral or written declaration of all articles brought into the United States. The Air Declaration Zone Test streamlines the processing of travelers who enter the United States at air ports of entry by allowing a demonstrative initial declaration to separate travelers who do not have items to declare from those who have items to declare and, in some cases, replace the provision of oral or written declarations.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Declaration Obligations Still Enforced
Even during the test, you must still accurately declare items in accordance with CBP rules (see 19 CFR 148.18 and 148.19). If a traveler is questioned or referred to secondary inspection, CBP will collect an oral and/or written declaration and may pursue enforcement for failure to declare or false statements.
Air Declaration Zone Test Extended
CBP is continuing the Air Declaration Zone Test at participating air terminals through October 16, 2028. The test, which began with an initial trial at Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas, allows travelers at participating locations to use separate "No Items to Declare" and "Items to Declare" queues as an alternative way to meet declaration requirements.
No-Items Queue Can Replace Declaration
If you arrive at a participating air terminal (for example, Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas) and choose the No Items to Declare queue and are not questioned by a CBP officer before you exit the egress area, CBP will treat your demonstrative selection as satisfying the oral or written declaration requirement for the purposes of this test. Travelers still have the option to make an oral or written declaration instead of using the queues.
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