U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the federal agency responsible for regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including immigration and customs laws. This charge is for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application fee for travelers under the Visa Waiver Program.

Washington, DC
cbp.gov
Owned by U.S. Department of Homeland Security

About U.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. customs, immigration, and agricultural laws at the nation’s borders and ports of entry. One of CBP’s roles is managing the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), an online system that screens travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries before they board a carrier bound for the United States. ESTA applications are submitted online through the official website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov), and fees are processed electronically through CBP’s secure payment system.

A charge from U.S. Customs and Border Protection on your bank or card statement is most commonly the ESTA application fee for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. As of now, the total ESTA fee is typically around $21 per applicant, and you may see it described as “CBP ESTA,” “DHS TRAVEL AUTH,” or a similar notation. The charge is usually processed as a one-time payment when you submit your application, but you may also see small temporary authorization holds if your card issuer tests or verifies the payment. Each approved ESTA is valid for up to two years, or until your passport expires, and can be used for multiple trips, but the fee is charged per application, not per trip.

If you do not recognize this charge, first think about whether you or someone in your household recently applied online to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, or used a travel agency or third-party service that completed an ESTA on your behalf. You can verify an ESTA application or status by visiting the official ESTA site at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and using your passport and application details. For questions about an ESTA-related charge, start by reviewing confirmation emails and your travel documentation, then contact your card issuer if you suspect fraud. For general information and support, you can visit cbp.gov and use the CBP Info Center contact options (online inquiry form or phone) to get help with ESTA or travel authorization issues.

Bank Statement Variations

1 known variations

These are the raw merchant codes that appear on bank and credit card statements that we've identified as belonging to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

  1. USCUSTOMS ESTA APPL PMT INDIANAPOLIS US

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see a charge from U.S. Customs and Border Protection or “CBP ESTA” on my statement?

This charge is usually the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. When you submit an ESTA application at esta.cbp.dhs.gov, CBP processes a one-time payment per applicant using the card details you provide. Travel agencies or third‑party visa services may also trigger this charge if they applied for ESTA on your behalf.

How much does an ESTA application cost, and is it a recurring charge?

As of now, the standard ESTA fee is typically about $21 per person, charged as a single, non-recurring payment when you submit your online application. The fee covers processing and, if approved, authorization for travel for up to two years (or until your passport expires) with multiple entries. It does not auto-renew and you will not be billed again unless you submit a new application.

Can I get a refund from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for an ESTA charge?

In most cases, ESTA fees are nonrefundable, even if your application is denied or you decide not to travel. The processing portion of the fee is charged for reviewing your application, and the authorization portion is charged when you are approved. If you believe you were charged in error (for example, duplicate charges), you should first check your application history at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and then contact your card issuer; CBP itself generally does not process direct consumer refunds for valid ESTA payments.

Why do I see a small temporary or pending CBP/ESTA charge on my card?

Some card issuers may display a small temporary authorization or pending amount when you submit your ESTA payment, as part of verifying your card. This can appear separately from the final ESTA fee or briefly before it posts. These authorization holds typically disappear automatically within a few business days and do not result in an additional permanent charge.

How can I verify that an ESTA payment was actually made for my passport or trip?

Go to the official ESTA website at esta.cbp.dhs.gov and select the option to check an existing application, then enter your passport and application details. If you have an approved or pending ESTA, it will show your application status and key information. You can compare the application date and traveler details with the date and amount of the charge on your statement to confirm it aligns with your submission.

I used a travel agency or third‑party website—why is the ESTA fee showing as a direct CBP/DHS charge?

Many agencies and visa services submit ESTA applications through the official CBP platform and may use the traveler’s own payment details for the government fee. In that case, the government portion of the cost appears on your statement directly from U.S. Customs and Border Protection or Department of Homeland Security, while the agency’s service fee may appear as a separate charge. Review your booking invoice or contact your agency to confirm how they processed your ESTA.

How do I fix an error on my ESTA or change my travel details after I’ve paid the fee?

After payment, only limited details—such as your email address and U.S. contact information—can be updated directly on the ESTA site; core passport and identity information generally cannot be changed and may require a new application and fee. Log into your ESTA record at esta.cbp.dhs.gov to see what can be edited. If your passport details were entered incorrectly, you will likely need to submit a new ESTA application with a new payment.

Who can I contact if I don’t recognize this CBP/ESTA charge or suspect fraud?

First, confirm that neither you nor a close family member recently applied for ESTA or arranged U.S. travel through an agent. If you still do not recognize the charge, contact your card issuer or bank immediately to report it and ask about dispute options. For general information about ESTA and CBP fees, you can visit cbp.gov and use the CBP Info Center (online form or listed phone numbers), but CBP cannot access your bank account or card details directly.

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