MPC faster CBP wait times at MIA

Question

Our only experience using the MPC app has been at IAD. It has been fast the few times we have used it.

Does this app help with CBP clearance at MIA?

We are scheduled to arrive on AA at 6:35 am on October 9. There are also AA flights from Rio and Sao Paulo within 15 minutes but I don't thin any other flights near that time at either the North or Central Terminals.

Thanks

Answer

The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app can indeed help speed up U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing at Miami International Airport (MIA), similar to its use at other major airports like IAD. It allows eligible travelers to submit passport information and customs declarations via the app, bypassing the traditional paper form and using dedicated MPC lanes at the airport.

At MIA, MPC lanes are available in most international arrival terminals, including the North and Central terminals. Since your AA flight from Miami is scheduled to arrive at 6:35 am, your early morning arrival generally means lighter passenger traffic, which should further reduce your wait time, especially since the other arriving flights from Brazil are close in timing but relatively limited.

Here are some details and tips:

Download the MPC app before travel and set up your profile with passport information and any family members traveling with you.
Upon arrival at MIA, follow signs to the designated MPC lane. These lanes are usually separate from the regular CBP queues and are clearly marked.
Submit your customs declaration through the app. You will receive a QR code which you present to the CBP officer at the kiosk or lane.
The app is valid for U.S. and Canadian passports. Make sure everyone in your party has a passport that qualifies.

Additional tips for your specific timing:

Arriving at 6:35 am, you are likely to experience lighter queues compared to peak hours later in the morning, which enhances the benefit of using MPC.
If other flights arrive around the same time (Rio and São Paulo), the total impact on wait times should be moderate; MPC still allows faster processing than the standard lines.
Have all travel documents ready, and follow airport signage to MPC lanes promptly to maximize efficiency.

Overall, using the MPC app at MIA for your early-morning arrival should streamline your CBP clearance significantly and likely get you through immigration faster than the standard line.