U.S. customs computer system fails nationwide

WASHINGTON (CNN) - A nationwide computer failure has shut down terminals at U.S. Customs entry points all over the country, a spokesman said Wednesday.

Customs and Border Protection spokesman Mike Balero said the failure happened at about 7 p.m. ET.

He said passengers entering the country are being processed using laptop computers and that slowdowns at entry points are minimal. The laptops are part of a backup plan implemented after several customs computer failures in the past, Balero said.