Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
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đ This article is part of the Customs Glossary Guide |
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) Explained
The comprehensive guide to WHTI-compliant documents required for entering the United States by land, sea, or air.
What is WHTI?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is a joint plan by the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It was implemented to strengthen border security by requiring all travelersâincluding U.S. and Canadian citizensâto present a valid passport or other approved secure document when entering the United States.
Before WHTI, travelers could often cross the border with a simple oral declaration or a standard driver's license. Today, that is no longer possible. The initiative was fully implemented for land and sea ports on June 1, 2009.
The Goal
The primary goal is to verify the identity and citizenship of all travelers accurately and quickly, preventing the entry of terrorists or individuals with fraudulent documents.
WHTI-Compliant Documents (Land & Sea)
For cross-border trucking and passenger travel by land (truck, car, bus) or sea (ferry, cruise), you must present one of the following compliant documents.
| Document Type | Who Can Use It? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. / Canadian Passport | All Citizens | The gold standard for international travel. Valid for Air, Land, and Sea. |
| Passport Card | U.S. Citizens | A wallet-sized card valid only for land and sea entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Not valid for air travel. |
| Trusted Traveler Card (FAST, NEXUS, SENTRI) |
Pre-Approved Members | Expedited crossing cards for low-risk travelers. Note: FAST cards are specifically designed for commercial drivers. |
| Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) | Residents of specific states/provinces | A special driver's license with an RFID chip that denotes both identity and citizenship. Available in states like MI, NY, VT, WA and provinces like BC, MB, ON, QC. |
| Tribal ID / Indian Status | Native Americans / First Nations | Secure Certificate of Indian Status or Enhanced Tribal Cards are accepted at land borders. |
Important: A standard birth certificate or regular driver's license is NOT WHTI-compliant for adults. You will likely be delayed or denied entry if these are your only documents.
Impact on Commercial Drivers
For commercial truck drivers moving freight across the border, compliance is critical to avoid costly delays.
The FAST Card Advantage
The Free and Secure Trade (FAST) card is fully WHTI-compliant. It is the preferred document for commercial drivers because it allows access to dedicated FAST lanes, significantly reducing wait times.
Is a CDL WHTI-Compliant?
No. A standard Commercial Driver's License (CDL) alone is not enough. Unless it is an Enhanced CDL (issued by states like Michigan or New York), a driver must carry a passport or FAST card in addition to their CDL.
Managing WHTI in BorderConnect
BorderConnect helps dispatchers ensure every driver is compliant before they leave the yard. When creating a Driver Profile, you can store WHTI document data to prevent eManifest rejections.
1. Go to Driver Profiles: Navigate to Manage Data > Drivers. 2. Enter Document Numbers: Input the Passport, FAST Card, or EDL number in the appropriate fields. 3. Validation: The system validates the format of these numbers to ensure they match Customs requirements.
Pro Tip: If a driver has a FAST card, enter it in the "FAST/Express ID" field. BorderConnect will prioritize this document for the eManifest, signaling to Customs that the driver is a Trusted Trader.
Official Resources
For the most up-to-date lists of compliant documents, refer to the official government portals:
- CBP Official Site: WHTI Document List
- Department of Homeland Security: WHTI FAQ
- GetYouHome.gov: CBP's dedicated traveler information portal.