BALTIMORE - U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Deputy Commissioner Deborah J. Spero today launched a traveler awareness campaign to kick off the summer travel season. The goal is to ease the burden of 86 million travelers who visit or return from travel abroad each year via international airports throughout the nation.

"The United States is a welcoming nation," Spero said. "While Customs and Border Protection's primary mission is to prevent terrorists and their weapons from entering the United States, we are committed to keeping America's doors open and secure. Properly filling out the Customs Declaration form and being aware of regulations, such as food or agriculture items that may be prohibited, allows travelers to have a smoother process upon arrival." Nearly 3 million travelers entered or returned to the United States at the area's international airports, Dulles International and Baltimore/Washington International, last year.

Spero was joined in the campaign by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Catherine Barry and Jim Williams, director of the US-VISIT program. Williams explained that US-VISIT is an inkless fingerprint system that identifies visitors to this country.

"US-VISIT's innovative use of biometrics helps protect you and move you quickly through the immigration process," Williams said. "We are proving that we can keep our border open and our nation secure."

As the busy summer travel season gets under way, the State Department's Barry said she encouraged American citizens heading abroad to learn about the places they plan to visit and to find out about local conditions that might affect their travels.

"We want Americans to enjoy their international travel and to return safely to the United States. Our motto is 'Know before you go,' because a well-informed traveler has a safer and more enjoyable trip." Barry described the wide range of travel-related information available to the public through the State Department's Consular Information Program, from country-specific materials to fact sheets on current events, including travel to the 2006 World Cup and the upcoming hurricane season.

Here are a few travel tips offered for your travels, whether you are traveling abroad, returning home or visiting the United States:

€ Make sure that you have the proper travel documents, both for the country you are visiting, as well as for your return to the United States.

€ If you are headed overseas, learn about the country or countries you are visiting and any local conditions that might affect your trip by consulting www.travel.state.gov. You can also use the site to register your trip and have travel information sent right to your e-mail.

€ Make sure you find out the rules and regulations concerning food and agricultural items before you travel, as some are prohibited or must meet certain requirements, such as a license or permit.

€ When you arrive at a port of entry in the United States, you will be inspected by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. Be prepared to tell the officer the purpose of your trip and those items that you purchased or obtained abroad.

€ If you are a visitor to the United States, the officer may require you to provide your biometrics - digital finger scans and photograph - to verify your identity against your travel documents. This simple and fast collection of biometrics is the same as you experienced if you had to get a visa for your trip to the United States.

€ As a visitor to the United States, when you depart be sure that the airline ticket agent collects your Form I-94 and (where available) 'check out' at an automated exit kiosk.

For more information on the latest travel tips and regulations, please visit CBP's Web site at www.cbp.gov, and the State Department's at www.travel.state.gov. Information about the US-VISIT program can be found at www.dhs.gov/us-visit.