Lois Larson
US Customs preclearance is a method of pre-screening border control operated by the US Department of Homeland Security to screen individuals entering the US at eligible facilities outside of the country. This process aims to streamline border procedures, reduce congestion at ports of entry, and facilitate travel into US airports that may not be equipped to handle international travellers. While US Customs preclearance is available at 15 locations in 6 countries, including several airports in Canada, it is not currently available at Jean Lesage Airport in Quebec City. However, there are plans to include this airport in the preclearance expansion, which is supported by the majority of Quebec City residents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| US Customs Preclearance Centre at Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport | No, only the Canada Border Services Agency operates there |
| Local Support for US Customs Preclearance Facility | 95% of Quebec City residents support it |
| Benefits of US Customs Preclearance Facility | Substantially cut the time passengers spend in transit in US airports, take advantage of cutting-edge US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) technology, no need to clear US customs upon arrival |
| US Customs Preclearance Locations | Dublin and Shannon in Ireland, Aruba, Bermuda, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Nassau in the Bahamas, Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg in Canada |
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What You'll Learn
- US Customs pre-clearance at Jean Lesage Airport is not currently available
- The airport was included in preclearance expansion plans in 2017
- The preclearance program aims to streamline border procedures and reduce congestion
- % of Quebec City residents support the installation of a preclearance facility
- Without preclearance, passengers must clear customs on arrival in the US
US Customs pre-clearance at Jean Lesage Airport is not currently available
Jean Lesage International Airport, also known as Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport, is located in Quebec City, Canada. In 2015, an online survey found that 95% of Quebec City residents supported the introduction of a US Customs pre-clearance facility at the airport. The survey, conducted by SOM, a survey firm, indicated that 62% of respondents had a highly favorable opinion of the project, while 33% had a somewhat favorable opinion.
The introduction of a US Customs pre-clearance facility at the airport was expected to bring several benefits. One significant advantage would be a reduction in the time passengers spend in transit at US airports. With pre-clearance, passengers could complete all customs procedures before takeoff from Quebec City, eliminating the need to clear customs upon arrival in the US. Additionally, passengers could take advantage of advanced US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) technology, further reducing wait times.
The pre-clearance facility was also anticipated to enhance connectivity to more American cities. Currently, only a limited number of Canadian airports offer US Customs pre-clearance, including Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Halifax, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Vancouver. As a result, passengers traveling from Quebec City to the US often have to clear customs at their connecting airport or upon arrival at their final destination. With the introduction of pre-clearance at Jean Lesage Airport, passengers would have more efficient travel options and could avoid the potentially busier process of clearing customs on arrival in the US.
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The airport was included in preclearance expansion plans in 2017
Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport, also known as Jean Lesage International Airport, is the primary airport serving Quebec City, Canada. In 2024, it was the 12th busiest airport in Canada, with 1,737,803 passengers. More than ten airlines offer 360 weekly flights to destinations across Canada, the United States, Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe.
The airport's last expansion was from 2006 to 2008, with a capacity goal of 1.5 million passengers. However, by 2017, the airport was already handling 1.6 million passengers, and the current expansion will increase its capacity to two million. The expansion included a unique project management approach, with several of the private sector owner's permanent staffers focusing on the build.
The first phase of the YQB2018 expansion project was completed on December 11, 2017, with the opening of a new international terminal. The new facility features more dedicated baggage carousels, a new customs area, an expanded food court, four new gates, an improved loading area, and a larger baggage capacity. The last expansion phase, which involved linking the domestic and international terminals, was completed in the summer of 2019.
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The preclearance program aims to streamline border procedures and reduce congestion
The United States border preclearance program, also known as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance, is a strategic initiative to streamline border procedures and reduce congestion at ports of entry for flights arriving in the country. This program has been in operation since 1952 and has undergone significant expansion over the years.
The program involves the deployment of CBP officers to designated foreign airports to conduct immigration and customs inspections for individuals seeking entry into the United States. This process is known as preclearance and is carried out before individuals board their flights to the United States. Upon arrival in the United States, precleared passengers are treated as domestic travellers, bypassing the need for lengthy CBP and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspections. This not only reduces congestion at US ports of entry but also enhances the overall travel experience by reducing waiting times.
The preclearance program offers numerous advantages to travellers, foreign governments, and US authorities. For travellers, it provides easier domestic connections, allowing them to accept tighter connection windows at US airports and reducing the likelihood of missing a connecting flight. It also offers cost savings by providing access to less expensive US domestic gates and more flexible arrival times. Additionally, preclearance enables new direct routes to over 160 US airports, regardless of whether they have a CBP port of entry, increasing market access and convenience for travellers.
Foreign governments also benefit from enhanced security through increased collaboration with US authorities. The preclearance program helps bolster the safety of international flights and facilitates efficient travel. It also improves revenue-generating opportunities at destination locations and increases transit market demand to the United States.
For US authorities, the preclearance program provides layered security. CBP officers can exclude inadmissible passengers and deny boarding to individuals who do not meet the entry requirements, reducing the burden of deportation arrangements. Additionally, preclearance facilities help alleviate congestion at gateway CBP facilities by reducing the volume of international travellers requiring processing upon arrival.
While the preclearance program has been successful in streamlining border procedures and reducing congestion, it is important to note that it does not apply to all foreign airports. Interested foreign governments and airport operators can inquire about the expansion of the program to new locations.
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95% of Quebec City residents support the installation of a preclearance facility
US Customs preclearance facilities allow travellers to bypass Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspections upon arrival in the US. This is achieved by positioning CBP personnel at designated foreign airports to inspect travellers before they board US-bound flights. Preclearance facilities streamline border procedures, reduce congestion at ports of entry, and facilitate travel into US airports that may not be equipped to handle international travellers.
In 2015, 95% of Quebec City residents expressed support for the installation of a US Customs preclearance facility at Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB). An online survey conducted by the firm SOM found that 62% of respondents had a highly favourable opinion of the project, while 33% had a somewhat favourable opinion. The survey was commissioned by Aéroport de Québec inc. (AQi) to ensure local support for the project. AQi President and CEO Gaëtan Gagné celebrated the results, stating that "the support of the Québec City population, just like that of the federal government and Transport Canada, is critical".
The proposed preclearance facility at YQB would substantially reduce the time passengers spend in transit at US airports. Passengers would complete all customs procedures prior to takeoff in Quebec City and would be able to take advantage of cutting-edge CBP technology, reducing wait times. Additionally, passengers would only be subject to an initial search in Quebec City, rather than additional searches when boarding connecting flights in the US. The facility would also increase the number of possible connections to American cities, as the destination airport would not need to have customs facilities.
As of 2021, the necessary upgrades to Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport were anticipated to take 18 months and C$35 million to complete, but a targeted completion date had not yet been announced. The installation of a US Customs preclearance facility at the airport is part of an expansion plan that includes Toronto Island Airport, which is expected to open its preclearance facility by 2025.
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Without preclearance, passengers must clear customs on arrival in the US
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance is a method of pre-screening border control operated by the US Department of Homeland Security. It allows US-bound passengers to undertake US immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections at designated foreign airports before departure. Preclearance facilities exist due to agreements between the US federal government and host countries.
Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB) is not one of these designated airports. Only the Canada Border Services Agency operates there. This means that passengers travelling to the US from this airport must clear customs on arrival in the US.
Without preclearance, passengers must undergo an immigration inspection, collect their checked baggage, and walk their baggage through customs inspection. They must then exit to the landside of the airport, recheck their baggage for connecting flights, pass through security screening to re-enter the airport, and proceed to their gates.
Preclearance is intended to streamline border procedures, reduce congestion at American ports of entry, and facilitate travel into airports that lack immigration and customs processing facilities for commercial flights. It also enables passengers to skip CBP and TSA inspection lines upon arrival in the US and proceed directly to their connecting flight or destination.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no US Customs pre-clearance centre at Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB).
Although there were plans to include the airport in the preclearance expansion program, the necessary upgrades were anticipated to take 18 months and C$35 million to complete. As of 2021, there was no targeted completion date.
A preclearance facility at Jean Lesage Airport would substantially cut the time passengers spend in transit in US airports. Passengers would no longer be subject to searches when boarding a connecting flight in the US.
The preclearance program aims to streamline border procedures for flights entering the US, reduce congestion at ports of entry, and facilitate travel into US airports that may not be equipped to handle international travellers.
Currently, there are 15 preclearance locations in 6 countries: Ireland (Dublin and Shannon), Aruba, Bermuda, Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Nassau in the Bahamas, and 9 cities in Canada (Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg).
