Sachin Walls
When travelling to the US from Canada, US Customs and Border Protection may search your bags at a Canadian preclearance airport before departure. This means that your bags may be searched before you leave Canada, rather than when you arrive in the US. At some airports, you may also need to collect your checked luggage and have it screened again before boarding your connecting flight. To save time, you can submit your customs declaration online in advance or at an airport kiosk or eGate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who conducts the search? | U.S. Customs and Border Protection |
| Where does the search take place? | Canadian preclearance airport |
| What is searched? | Your luggage and electronic devices |
| When does the search take place? | Before departure instead of on arrival in the U.S. |
| Why does the search take place? | To preclear entry into the U.S. |
| What happens during the search? | An interview with a U.S. preclearance officer, inspection of luggage, and potential refusal of entry into the U.S. |
| Are there any consequences for providing false information during the search? | Yes, it is an offence under Canada's Preclearance Act to knowingly make a false or deceptive statement to a preclearance officer. |
| What documents are required for Canadian citizens entering the U.S. by air? | A passport, a valid NEXUS card, an enhanced driver's license (EDL), or an enhanced identification card (EIC). |
| Can you save time during the customs process in Canada? | Yes, by submitting an Advance CBSA Declaration within the ArriveCAN app up to 72 hours before arriving in Canada. |
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What You'll Learn
US customs preclearance at Canadian airports
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance is a process where CBP personnel are stationed at designated foreign airports to inspect travellers before boarding US-bound flights. This process began in 1894 when American immigration inspectors were deployed to seaports across Canada. Modern preclearance facilities were first introduced in 1952 at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Calgary International Airport. Today, there are 15 preclearance locations in 6 countries, including 13 major Canadian airports: Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg.
During the preclearance process, passengers must first pass through airport security inspections conducted by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), adhering to both CATSA and US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations. After security, passengers proceed to the preclearance area for inspection by CBP officers. This process includes identity confirmation, customs declaration, and possible baggage searches. Preclearance allows travellers to bypass CBP and TSA inspections upon arrival in the US, proceeding directly to their connecting flight or destination. It also enables tighter connection windows at US airports and provides access to less expensive US domestic gates.
For example, if you are travelling from Toronto to a US destination, you will first clear Canadian Immigration and Customs upon arrival at Toronto Pearson Airport. Then, as a transit passenger, your checked bags will be tagged and placed on the conveyor belt for rechecking. After pre-clearing US Customs and Immigration in Toronto, your arrival in the US will be similar to a domestic US flight. However, precleared passengers may still be subject to re-inspection at the discretion of CBP.
It is important to note that preclearance measures can impact travel plans in unforeseen circumstances. For instance, if a pre-cleared flight encounters worsening weather conditions and returns to the gate, passengers wishing to stay in Toronto would need to pass through Canadian customs again. Additionally, in rare cases, pre-cleared flights may be diverted to airports without CBP, requiring additional immigration clearance upon landing.
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Canadian customs for US citizens
When travelling to Canada as a US citizen, you must carry acceptable identification to confirm your identity and citizenship. While a passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document, US permanent residents arriving by air or land must carry both proof of citizenship and proof of status in the United States. This could be a valid US permanent resident card.
Indigenous Peoples from the US with family in Canada may qualify for temporary border mobility measures. They may be required to present the document they used to prove their relationship to their family member in Canada.
You can save time at the airport by using the Advance CBSA Declaration feature within the ArriveCAN app. This allows you to fill in your customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours in advance. You can then use the Express Lanes at the airport.
When you arrive at the airport, you will need to confirm your identity with CBSA and declare any goods that you are bringing into the country. You may be able to use a primary inspection kiosk (PIK) to do this. You will need to scan your travel documents, take a photo, and answer a few questions to complete your declaration.
There are limits on the goods you can bring into Canada. For example, you may not be allowed to bring in certain goods, such as endangered species or anything made from their parts. You may also need a permit or written authorization to bring in certain other goods.
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Canadian customs declaration
When arriving in Canada, travellers must undergo a screening process by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). This includes confirming your identity and declaring any goods you are bringing into the country. You can do this by using a primary inspection kiosk (PIK) at the airport.
To save time, you can submit an Advance CBSA Declaration through the ArriveCAN app up to 72 hours before your arrival in Canada. You can then take advantage of the Express Lanes when you arrive. To do this, download the ArriveCAN app and add your information. You will receive a confirmation email and a reference number. When you arrive at the airport, scan your travel documents at the kiosk or eGate. A maximum of five travellers can use one kiosk at a time.
At the kiosk, you will be asked to scan your travel documents, take a photo, and answer a few questions to complete your declaration. You will then take the kiosk receipt to a border services officer.
It is important to note that failure to properly declare goods, currency, and/or monetary instruments brought into Canada may result in seizure, monetary penalties, and/or criminal prosecution.
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US customs and identification
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses innovative technologies like facial recognition biometrics to expedite passenger processing and meet the demand of rising passenger volume to the US.
If you are a US citizen planning to travel abroad, you must comply with the document requirements for that country. For example, if you are flying to Canada, you are not required to have a passport. However, you will need to confirm your identity with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and declare any goods you are bringing into the country. This can be done using a primary inspection kiosk (PIK) at the airport. You will need to scan your travel document (e.g. passport or permanent resident card), take a photo, answer some questions, and then take your kiosk receipt to a border services officer. Alternatively, you can download the ArriveCan app and complete an Advance CBSA Declaration before your trip. This will allow you to take advantage of Express Lanes and save time upon arrival.
When returning to the US, you will need to collect your bags and pre-clear US Customs and Immigration in Canada. This means that when you arrive at your US destination, it will be like you have taken a domestic US flight. Your luggage may be x-rayed, and you may be asked to show your passport or other identification documents. While a passport is not required for travel to Canada, it can make the border crossing process easier and speed up your connection.
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Canadian customs and connecting flights
When flying to the US with a layover in Canada, you will have to go through US customs at the Canadian airport before boarding your connecting flight. This means that when you arrive at your final US destination, you will be treated as a domestic traveller.
At Toronto Pearson Airport, for example, US Customs and Border Protection pre-clear travellers flying to the US. This means that travellers clear US customs and immigration before boarding their US-bound flight. Travellers can use a primary inspection kiosk (PIK) to confirm their identity and submit their customs declaration.
If you are a NEXUS member, you can use the dedicated NEXUS kiosk or your passport at one of the regular PIKs. Diplomats and their families should use the special services counter for in-person processing. You can also save time by using the Advance CBSA Declaration feature within ArriveCAN to fill in your customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours before arriving in Canada.
When you arrive in Toronto, you will have to clear Canadian Immigration first and then Canada Customs with your luggage. As soon as you have cleared customs, there is a rechecking counter for transit passengers. Your bags are put on the conveyor belt, and you proceed to the boarding gate.
It is important to note that some travellers have reported tight connections when travelling through Toronto Pearson Airport. It is recommended to have enough time between flights to navigate the airport and reach your next gate.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, when you arrive in Canada, you will need to go through Canadian Immigration and Customs with your luggage.
Yes, when travelling from Canada to the US, you will need to go through US Customs and Immigration. This can be done at a preclearance facility at a Canadian airport before departure or upon arrival in the US.
Canadian citizens travelling by air to the US must present one of the following documents: a valid passport, a NEXUS card, an enhanced driver's license (EDL), or an enhanced identification card (EIC).
You can save time by submitting your customs and immigration declaration online using Advance Declaration within ArriveCAN up to 72 hours before arriving in Canada.
