The United States unveiled plans Tuesday for a new wallet-sized smart card  Americans could use instead of a passport to cross the Canadian or Mexican borders.

The card would allow border security agents to access personal information and a digital of photograph of the bearer from a secure database in Washington, according to State Department officials.

The cards can be read by radio frequency devices from 10 metres away, which officials say should reduce lineups at borders.

In the aftermath of the attacks Sept. 11, 2001, the United States announced plans to require passports from anyone entering the country, including Americans returning from short trips to Canada.

The Canadian and Mexican governments objected, saying the move will hurt tourism and trade. It was pointed out that less than 25 per cent of American citizens hold passports.

Last June, the U.S. Congress voted to delay implementation of the plan to require passports or the new ID card until 2009.

The State Department said the new cards will cost $20 US for adults.

With files from the Canadian Press