Abstract: An apparatus and method for expediting customs and immigration processing is revealed. Passports are scanned and checked against an image of passengers at check in and boarding. This information is forwarded to a government representative, such as an Immigration service representative, and may also be sent to a Customs official. These or other governmental representatives may then decide whether the government has any interest in a particular passenger, and the passenger may be routed in compliance with the governmental interest. A customs declaration for each passenger and an inspection record (such as an x-ray) of passenger luggage may be made and forwarded to a customs official. The customs official may then decide which persons and which baggage to check, routing such baggage and such persons to a customs inspection area. Passengers and luggage not selected may be automatically cleared without further inspection.