Shannon Airport: Us Customs Clearance Available

Shannon Airport in Ireland was the first airport outside of the Americas to offer full US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pre-clearance facilities to airlines travelling to the USA. This means that passengers can pre-clear all formalities for US Immigration, Customs and Agriculture at Shannon Airport, making their journey to the USA faster and more seamless. Shannon Airport has offered pre-clearance services since the 1980s, and these services have been steadily enhanced over the years.

Shannon Airport was the first airport outside the Americas to offer US Customs preclearance

Shannon Airport in Ireland was the first airport outside the Americas to offer US Customs preclearance. This means that passengers travelling to the USA can pre-clear all formalities for US immigration, customs, and agriculture in Shannon before departure, making their journey faster and more seamless. There are now around 200 airports in the US that can be travelled to after pre-clearing US Customs in Shannon.

Shannon Airport first introduced US Customs preclearance in the 1980s. Preclearance, originally called pre-inspection, dates back to 1903 when it was first offered for passengers sailing from Victoria, Canada, to the American Pacific Northwest. In the 1950s, as commercial aviation became more popular, pre-inspection became preclearance. Ireland was the first country outside of North America to offer the program, initially at Shannon Airport, followed by Dublin Airport in the 1990s.

Shannon Airport's US Customs preclearance facilities are available for both commercial and private aircraft. The preclearance process for private aircraft allows passengers to make all the necessary immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections at Shannon before their departure to the US, making the arrival process at their destination more efficient. Shannon Airport was also the first airport in the world to offer full US preclearance for private aircraft and is still the only airport in Europe or the Middle East with this service.

Shannon Airport's US Customs preclearance service has been steadily enhanced over the years. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pre-clearance of General Aviation (GA) aircraft has been available at Shannon (EINN) since 2010, initially only for private non-revenue flights. In 2011, pre-clearance for charter (non-scheduled commercial) flights was also made available. CBP has also introduced a mobile passport control app, which allows travellers to begin the preclearance process before they arrive at the airport.

Preclearance allows passengers to bypass CBP and TSA inspections upon arrival in the US

Shannon Airport in Ireland was the first airport outside of the Americas to offer full US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facilities to airlines travelling to the USA. This means that passengers can pre-clear all formalities for US Immigration, Customs and Agriculture at Shannon Airport, making their journey faster and easier.

Preclearance is a method of pre-screening border control operated by the US Department of Homeland Security. It is available to all individuals, regardless of nationality or purpose of travel. Precleared passengers arrive in the US as domestic travellers, but they may still be subject to reinspection at the discretion of CBP. This process is intended to streamline border procedures, reduce congestion at American ports of entry, and facilitate travel into airports that otherwise lack immigration and customs processing facilities for commercial flights.

Shannon Airport offers preclearance for both commercial and private aircraft. The preclearance process is short, and after clearing at Shannon, passengers can fly to approximately 200 airports in the US. It is important to remember that after preclearance at Shannon, passengers must continue to one of the approved US mainland airports, as otherwise, CBP clearance will need to be repeated.

Shannon Airport offers preclearance for both private and commercial aircraft

Shannon Airport in Ireland offers preclearance for both private and commercial aircraft. Shannon Airport was the first airport outside the Americas to offer full US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facilities to airlines travelling to the USA. The airport has offered preclearance since the 1980s, and it is currently one of 15 airports across the globe that offer this service.

The preclearance process allows passengers to make all the necessary immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections at Shannon before their departure to the US. This means that upon arrival in the US, travellers bypass CBP and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspections and can proceed directly to their connecting flight or destination. This can save travellers hours, making their journey faster and easier.

Shannon Airport's preclearance services have been steadily enhanced over the years. Initially, pre-clearance was only available for private non-revenue flights, but since 2011, it has also been available for charter (non-scheduled commercial) flights. It is important to note that CBP pre-clearance at Shannon is not available for cargo, government, diplomatic, and/or military flights.

To make use of the preclearance service at Shannon Airport, travellers must continue to one of the approved US mainland airports after completing the pre-clearance process. Additionally, all information required for pre-clearance must be forwarded to CBP Shannon or the ground handler in advance, and visa requirements must be met.

Preclearance requirements and lead times are the same for private non-revenue and charter flights

Shannon Airport in Ireland was the first airport outside of the Americas to offer US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facilities to airlines travelling to the USA. It was also the first airport in the world to offer full US preclearance for private aircraft. Shannon Airport continues to be the only airport in Europe or the Middle East with this service.

The CBP preclearance at Shannon Airport is available for both private non-revenue and charter flights. The preclearance requirements and lead times are the same for both. However, it is important to note that CBP preclearance at Shannon Airport is not available for cargo, government, diplomatic, and/or military flights.

Pilots of private aircraft can request preclearance services from specific CBP preclearance locations to a designated airport in the US. The preclearance process involves several steps, including providing information such as the tail number, decal number, flight itinerary, estimated time of arrival and departure, and the number of travellers onboard. The General Aviation Facility in Shannon, Ireland, can only process up to 20 travellers per flight.

To ensure a smooth preclearance process, it is essential to submit the required information to CBP within the specified timeframe, typically no later than 60 minutes before the scheduled time of preclearance processing. Once preclearance is approved, the aircraft must land at the designated airport in the US, and any diversions are not allowed. Upon arrival, CBP Agriculture Specialists will coordinate with the pilot or their representative to ensure the proper disposal of regulated garbage, and passengers and luggage may be subject to reinspection.

Shannon Airport has a mobile passport control app to speed up the preclearance process

Shannon Airport in Ireland has become the first airport outside the Americas to be equipped with full US pre-clearance capabilities. The airport offers full US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facilities to airlines travelling to the USA. This means that passengers can pre-clear all formalities for US Immigration, Customs and Agriculture at Shannon Airport, making their journey to the USA faster and easier.

To further enhance the passenger experience, Shannon Airport has introduced a Mobile Passport Control app (MPC). This free mobile app is designed to streamline the traveller's entry process into the United States by reducing inspection time at the US pre-clearance facility in Shannon Airport. The MPC app allows passengers to complete part of the pre-clearance process on the app before arriving at the airport. Through the secure app, passengers can create a profile using their passport information, which then allows them to submit their travel documentation, photo, and customs declaration electronically. This removes the need to complete a paper declaration form, helping passengers to avoid queues at the airport.

The MPC app is part of Shannon Airport's commitment to 'making it easy' for passengers, providing a seamless airport experience. With the MPC app, passengers can benefit from a shorter pre-clearance process, giving them more time to relax and enjoy their time at the airport.

The introduction of the MPC app further bolsters Shannon Airport's position as one of only two airports in Europe to offer US pre-clearance facilities. This technology ensures a quick and efficient travel process for customers, making it a convenient choice for travellers flying to the United States.

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