Us Customs At Ottawa Airport: What You Need To Know

The Ottawa International Airport, also known as YOW, does have US Customs. Passengers leaving Ottawa on a direct flight to the United States will clear US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after the CATSA security screening process and before they get to the gate area to board their flight. If you are connecting within Canada, you cannot clear customs until your connecting city. The wait times for US Customs at YOW are generally shorter than at other airports, with most people reporting wait times of under 15 minutes.

US customs at Ottawa airport is only for passengers landing in the US directly

US Customs at the Ottawa International Airport, also known as YOW, is available for passengers landing in the US directly. Passengers departing from Ottawa on a direct flight to the United States will clear US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after the CATSA security screening process and before reaching the boarding gate. This process involves a brief Q&A with customs officials, a stamp in the passport, and baggage screening. The entire customs process at YOW is generally quick, with most people reporting wait times of only a few minutes.

It is important to note that if your flight connects through another airport in Canada or the US, you will likely go through US Customs at that airport. For example, if you are flying from Ottawa to Montreal to Boston, you will only go through US Customs in Montreal, as it is your final departure point from Canada. Similarly, if your flight connects through Toronto (YYZ), you will clear US Customs there and not in Ottawa.

To streamline the customs process, travellers are advised to download the MCP app (the US version of ArriveCan), which allows users to complete the necessary paperwork in advance and access shorter lines at select airports. Additionally, travellers with connecting flights within the US are advised to plan for potential customs procedures at their connecting airport, as these procedures may impact their travel time.

Wait times at Ottawa airport are shorter than at Pearson

Wait times at the Ottawa airport are shorter than at Pearson, a major international airport that serves a large number of passengers and has longer wait times as a result. Ottawa Airport is a smaller airport with fewer passengers, which leads to shorter wait times. In addition, Pearson has been undergoing improvements to reduce flight delays, cancellations, and wait times, but it still has a long way to go.

Furthermore, the Ottawa airport offers direct flights to the United States, allowing passengers to clear US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after passing through security. This means that passengers travelling to the US can complete the necessary customs processes in Ottawa and avoid longer lines at their arrival airport in the US, such as Pearson.

To streamline the customs process further, passengers can utilize the MCP app (the US version of ArriveCan), which allows for the completion of paperwork in advance. This enables travellers to bypass lengthy lines by finalizing their information upon arrival at the Ottawa airport.

When travelling through Pearson, it is recommended to arrive at least 3 hours in advance for flights to the US and 2 hours in advance for domestic flights. These longer recommended arrival times contribute to the overall longer wait times at Pearson compared to Ottawa.

There is no separate Canadian/American line at Ottawa airport

When travelling from Ottawa Airport, passengers on direct flights to the United States will clear US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after the CATSA security screening process and before reaching the gate area. However, there is no separate line for Canadian or American citizens.

In Ottawa, there is only one line for everyone going through US Customs, regardless of citizenship. This means that all passengers, regardless of nationality, queue together in the same line. This can be a more efficient system, as it avoids the potential issue of one line moving significantly slower than the other, which often occurs when there are separate lines.

While there is no separate Canadian/American line, it is important to note that US Customs at Ottawa Airport is generally considered to be a quick and efficient process. Most passengers report only waiting a few minutes, and even with higher wait times, it rarely exceeds 15 minutes. This is in stark contrast to other airports, such as Pearson, where wait times can be significantly longer.

Additionally, passengers can expedite their customs process by downloading the CBP's MCP app, which allows users to complete the necessary paperwork in advance. This can result in bypassing long lines, as some travellers have reported. However, it is worth noting that the MCP app requires travellers to be at the port of entry before submission, whereas the ArriveCan app allows for advance completion of the forms.

The MCP app allows travellers to bypass long lines

The Mobile Passport (MCP) app is an innovative solution that enables travellers to bypass lengthy lines at customs. This is particularly useful for those travelling with young children or facing time constraints. By using the MCP app, travellers can complete their customs paperwork in advance, finalising their submission upon arrival at the airport. This process significantly reduces the time spent in line, allowing travellers to proceed swiftly through customs and towards their departure gates.

The efficiency of the MCP app is evident in the experiences shared by users travelling through Ottawa International Airport (YOW). One user recounted their positive experience, highlighting how the app allowed them to bypass a lengthy line during their trip. Upon arrival at the airport, they simply finalised their submission and proceeded directly to a customs officer, bypassing the standard queue.

It is important to note that the MCP app is specifically designed for use at US ports of entry. When travelling through YOW, it is essential to understand the customs process, which can vary depending on the traveller's final destination. For instance, passengers departing YOW on direct flights to the United States will undergo US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) processing after the CATSA security screening.

In contrast, travellers with connecting flights within Canada or the United States may need to clear customs at their connecting airport, such as Toronto's Pearson International Airport (YYZ). This is because US customs procedures apply at the first point of arrival in the US or at one of the eight Canadian airports with US preclearance. Therefore, travellers departing from YOW with a connecting flight in the US will typically clear customs at their US destination airport.

While the MCP app offers a convenient way to bypass long lines, it is not the only option available to travellers. Some individuals opt to obtain a Nexus card, which facilitates expedited customs processing at certain airports. Additionally, travellers can consider the timing of their flights, as early morning departures tend to have longer wait times, with smoother processes often observed after 10:00 am.

US customs at Ottawa airport is located on the second floor

US Customs at Ottawa International Airport (YOW) is located on the second floor. YOW is Canada's capital airport, serving Ottawa, the nation's capital city.

US Customs preclearance is available at Ottawa Airport for passengers on direct flights to the United States. After passing through the CATSA security screening process, passengers will clear US Customs before reaching the gate area to board their flight.

It is important to note that US Customs at Ottawa Airport is only applicable if you are landing in the US directly. If your flight includes a connection in the US, you will go through US Customs at your first point of arrival in the US.

To expedite the customs process, NEXUS members can utilize dedicated arrival kiosks, and all travellers can consider using the MCP app (the US version of ArriveCan) to complete paperwork in advance and bypass potential lines.

Additionally, when travelling with animals, it is essential to keep them in a carrier while inside the airport. A designated animal relief area is located across the street from the terminal on Level 1.

Frequently asked questions