Travel Stack Exchange
Travel Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [pre-clearance]

A form of juxtaposed border control, where you clear customs and immigration before departing.

A form of juxtaposed border control, where you clear before departing. Most commonly found when departing for the from and

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance Locations

67 questions
52
votes
1 answer

I just entered the USA without passport control at Atlanta airport

I'm a Canadian NEXUS holder, and I landed at Atlanta airport earlier this morning on a Delta flight. Exiting from the plane, the security (or an airport worker) guided me to an exit through the hall. I ended up at the airport train platform. I got…
Jun Lee
  • 521
  • 1
  • 4
  • 3
29
votes
5 answers

Bringing hiking shoes with dirt/soil to the US?

I'm soon travelling from Europe to the USA and I'm bringing hiking and running shoes with dirt on them (originating only from the EU and not from any farms). I have already thoroughly cleaned them, but it's hard to get them completely clean. Will…
Daniel
  • 565
  • 1
  • 4
  • 6
18
votes
3 answers

Why am I getting weird security questions with CLEAR?

A couple of times airport staff in SF/NY have tried to enroll me in CLEAR. I'm on a visa (O1), but I have a California ID card, so I should be eligible. That's at least what the staff has told me every time. CLEAR is useful for me, since I fly often…
Thomas Ahle
  • 633
  • 7
  • 12
18
votes
4 answers

Arriving in Atlanta after US Preclearance in Dublin. Will I go through TSA security in Atlanta to transfer to a connecting flight?

For my specific flights, I'm flying out of Dublin (Terminal 2) which has US customs pre-clearance. I arrive in Atlanta before connecting to San Francisco. I'd like to shop at the duty free store in Dublin, but I don't want to risk having a bottle of…
Hari
  • 291
  • 2
  • 7
18
votes
2 answers

If I am interviewed by US immigration in Canada, will I be interviewed again when I arrive in the US?

I am heading to Dallas from Canada right now. I was already interviewed by US immigration and received a visa stamp too. Am I going to be interviewed again in Dallas? I would like to know because of limited transit time (I will be in DFW Dallas…
Imjustwondering
  • 189
  • 1
  • 3
14
votes
2 answers

When flying from Preclearance airports to the US, do airlines validate your visa before letting you talk to Preclearance agents?

Normally when you fly to the US from other countries there's extensive checks of your visa by airline personnel. However Preclearance airports are somewhat special because there's CBP agents right there in the terminal and in theory the airline…
JonathanReez
  • 82,178
  • 90
  • 394
  • 764
13
votes
1 answer

US Customs Pre-clearance in foreign airports

Recently, I was traveling back to the US through Vancouver, BC, Canada. I was delighted with the fact that I was able to get pre-screened through US Customs before even getting on the plane. What other cities/airports offer this feature? It sure…
trip0d199
  • 391
  • 4
  • 8
13
votes
3 answers

Canada to USA customs preclearance and fruits/vegetables

As an European citizen living in Canada, I am going to fly from Montreal (YUL) to the USA (SFO). I was planning to bring a sandwich (with tomato, lettuce...) and some fruit to eat on the plane. When flying to the US from Europe, this is fine since…
Klaus
  • 501
  • 4
  • 10
12
votes
2 answers

Is your luggage automatically transferred to the next flight if you enter the US on a precleared flight?

I know that generally speaking everyone traveling to the US from abroad have to pick up their luggage, go through customs with it, and then check it in again for their next flight. But is this also necessary when traveling on a precleared flight…
JonathanReez
  • 82,178
  • 90
  • 394
  • 764
10
votes
2 answers

How much extra time to allow in Dublin Airport for US pre-clearance?

On an upcoming trip, I'll be flying from Dublin to the USA, on a flight which has US pre-clearance in Dublin. I'm reasonably happy (based on experiences) about how far in advance I need to get to Dublin airport for a normal international departure,…
Gagravarr
  • 63,140
  • 50
  • 237
  • 459
9
votes
2 answers

Will I save much time by using the US preclearance facilities in Canada/Ireland rather than flying direct?

I'm planning a trip from Prague to NYC this summer. There is a direct flight to JFK and numerous transfer options. I've heard that JFK's customs can be a nightmare for non-US citizens and therefore considering routing my flight through Dublin where…
JonathanReez
  • 82,178
  • 90
  • 394
  • 764
9
votes
2 answers

After passing through US pre-clearance at YVR can you exit YVR into Canada?

My wife and I went through US customs at YVR and soon realized that we couldn't get to the aquarium. Is there a way to leave once passing through customs? I have a 6 hour wait until my next flight.
Rolan
  • 193
  • 4
8
votes
1 answer

Re check bags at Dublin stop over? Travelling Heathrow to San Francisco on Aer Lingus

I'm flying From Heathrow to San Francisco with a stopover in Dublin. The flights were booked as one ticket, both Aer Lingus. However, as Dublin has US Preclearance, will I need to claim my luggage at Dublin and recheck it? Or will it be sent from…
Natalie
  • 81
  • 2
8
votes
2 answers

Can we undergo US Immigration checks at Heathrow?

I'll be traveling from Mumbai, India to Gainesville, Florida. For that I have to board a flight at Mumbai which will drop me at Heathrow. I have layover time of about 8 hours at Heathrow, from where I'll be traveling to Miami. And from Miami to…
Rahul Bobhate
  • 205
  • 2
  • 6
7
votes
1 answer

Airport employees in preclearance areas?

How does this work, people working in the stores in the USA terminal of, say, Vancouver airport, before starting their shift go through USA immigration and customs every single day?
user4188
1
2 3 4 5