Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry (2024)

Despite the fact that all merchandise and persons crossing the border, both inbound and outbound, are subject to inspection by CBP, the number of travelers crossing the border whose electronic devices are actually searched is small. In FY 2023, out of the over 394 million travelers CBP processed at ports of entry, CBP only searched the electronic devices of 41,767 international travelers.

Upon arrival in the United States, travelers are generally required to present themselves for inspection at the port of entry’s primary arrival location, often referred to as “primary” or “primary inspection.” At primary, CBP officers generally inspect all travelers seeking entry to the United States to determine their identity, their citizenship, their eligibility to enter the United States, whether any merchandise in their custody or control is prohibited or subject to duty, and to identify violations of law that CBP enforces or administers. Travelers whose processing may take more than a few moments or who may warrant extra scrutiny may be referred for further inspection, often referred to as “secondary” or “secondary inspection.” Officers at primary inspection have broad discretion to refer travelers for secondary inspection, with or without any suspicion of wrongdoing. Some reasons that a traveler may be referred for secondary inspection include (1) to address issues with the documentation or information supplied by the traveler; (2) to address potential administrative immigration violations; (3) to conduct inquiries regarding potential violation of civil or criminal laws enforced or administered by CBP; (4) to screen at random; (5) if CBP officers at primary inspection believe, at their discretion, that further inspection is needed; or (6) if CBP officers at primary inspection are alerted to an issue that may require further inspection. At the secondary inspection location, CBP officers will conduct further assessment to resolve the reason for the referral. Of the 394 million travelers CBP processed at ports of entry in FY 2023, 12,276,440 (3.1%) travelers were referred for a secondary inspection.

A border search of electronics is not a required action during a secondary inspection. In fact, CBP only conducted border searches of the electronic devices of 41,767 travelers in FY 2023, representing approximately 0.3% of secondary inspections and less than 0.01% of all arriving international travelers encountered at ports of entry.

Of the 41,767 border searches of electronic devices encountered at port of entry, 37,778 (90%) were basic searches in which the devices were not connected to external equipment to review, copy and/or analyze its contents.

International Travelers Processed with Electronic Device Search*

Historical statistics are available on the CBP Enforcement Statistics webpage.

* Statistics may vary from previously reported monthly statistics as a result of reporting that is finalized after CBP initially retrieved the statistics from our live systems for the monthly reporting.