New Facial Recognition Technology at Nashville International Airport Customs to Speed Up U.S. Citizen Processing
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – August 11, 2025 — Returning home from international travel just got easier for U.S. citizens arriving at Nashville International Airport (BNA). The airport has joined 13 others nationwide in implementing Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP), a cutting-edge technology designed to reduce customs processing times using facial recognition software.
Facial Recognition Streamlines Customs Experience
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) leaders hope the new system will significantly cut down the time travelers spend waiting in line upon arrival. The EPP technology captures a photo of passengers at the customs checkpoint and automatically matches it to their passport or ID. This biometric confirmation enables CBP officers to complete comprehensive customs assessments—including eligibility verification and enforcement checks—before passengers even reach the officer’s desk.
Michael Neipert, CBP’s Area Port Director overseeing Arkansas and Tennessee ports of entry, explained, "It uses facial recognition technology. It recognizes who the passenger is, and it eliminates a lot of the manual administrative stuff that the officer would have to normally input into the computer."
Nashville is now the 14th airport to implement this system, joining major airports such as Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT), Dallas Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), and Seattle-Tacoma (SEA).
Passenger Experience: Faster and More Convenient
Travelers have already started praising the new system. Nashville resident Kathy McFarland shared her experience: “They called us up there, said take your glasses off and we’ll take your picture. We got verified and walked right out.” She noted it was a welcome change from previous lengthy re-entry procedures and was unaware the technology had been deployed while she was abroad.
While EPP accelerates the process, passengers still have the option to opt out and go through customs using the traditional method if they prefer. Neipert emphasized, "This does not take away your interaction with a CBP officer; it merely trims down on the time you spend talking with them."
A Look Ahead: Toward More Efficient Travel
Describing EPP as "the wave of the future," Neipert expressed optimism about its role in transforming travel efficiency at U.S. borders. With CBP processing over 420 million travelers in fiscal year 2024—a 6.6% increase over the previous year—reducing wait times is more critical than ever.
He also reminded travelers that standard customs rules remain in effect: “You still have your passport, you still make your declarations. It’s still presenting yourself at a port of entry.”
Additional CBP Programs to Streamline Entry
Beyond EPP, CBP offers several other programs and technologies to enhance the entry experience for travelers:
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Global Entry: Nearly 13 million members can use the Global Entry mobile app to complete entry processing from their phones before leaving the aircraft. The app is available at 78 locations and has been downloaded over two million times.
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NEXUS: For vetted, low-risk travelers arriving from Canada, NEXUS expedites CBP processing at select land border and airport locations. The program is open to U.S. and Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
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Mobile Passport Control (MPC): Available at 53 ports of entry, MPC allows U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, certain Canadian citizens, and Visa Waiver Program travelers to submit their information in advance. However, CBP at BNA does not currently support this app.
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Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA): Non-U.S. citizens eligible under the Visa Waiver Program can use ESTA’s mobile app to apply for travel authorization.
As travel continues to rebound, CBP’s adoption of advanced technologies like EPP marks a significant step toward modernizing border security while providing faster, more convenient service to travelers.
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