Digital IDs make clearing customs easier.

WASHINGTON — For the first time, U.S. travelers flying overseas may avoid customs lines at a foreign airport by swiping a digital ID card.

An agreement Thursday between the Homeland Security Department and the Netherlands allows approved U.S. citizens to speed through customs checks at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport.

Dutch citizens clearing a Homeland Security background check can do the same arriving at some U.S. airports, including New York's John F. Kennedy International and Los Angeles International.

The ID cards are embedded with an image of the traveler's eye that is used to verify his identity.

Industry groups say the program will encourage travel to the USA by reducing the hassles of clearing customs

U.S. officials are in talks to begin programs with the United Kingdom, Germany and Australia, said John Wagner, who runs the program for Homeland Security.

About 4.5 million U.K. visitors came to the U.S. last year, ranking third behind Canada and Mexico, government figures show. The Netherlands ranked 13th, with 600,000 visitors to the U.S.

"We fully intend to make this a global network," Wagner said.

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