CBP to Add Boquillas Pedestrian Crossing at Big Bend, Update for WHTI

CBP issued a final rule to create a border crossing for pedestrians in Big Bend National Park to be called Boquillas. The Boquillas border crossing would be a “Customs station” for customs purposes and a Class B port of entry for immigration purposes. The proposed rule would also update the description of a Class B port of entry to reflect current border crossing documentation requirements.

The rule is effective Jan. 28.

CBP Would Not Process Cargo, Commercial Entries, or Vehicles at Boquillas

The Boquillas border crossing would service only pedestrians visiting Big Bend National Park and Mexican Protected Areas -- not import business. Therefore, CBP will not process cargo, commercial entries, or vehicles at Boquillas. Persons using the Boquillas border crossing would only be permitted to bring limited merchandise into the U.S. (CBP would only process items exempt from duties and taxes under 19 CFR 10.151).

Proposed Rule Would Update Definition of Class B Port of Entry to Reflect WHTI

CBP is also proposing to amend the description of a Class B port of entry in 8 CFR 100.4 by, among other things, deleting the outdated phrase “are admissible without documents under the documentary waivers contained in part 212 of this chapter” and replacing it with language that is more precise and consistent with Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requirements.

(See ITT's Online Archives 11092954 for summary on CBP’s sending this proposed rule to OMB.)