Airports With Us Customs Preclearance: The Full List

The US preclearance program, in operation since 1952, allows US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to inspect travellers before they board US-bound flights. This process is intended 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. There are currently 15 preclearance locations in 6 countries: Dublin and Shannon in Ireland; Aruba; Bermuda; Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates; Nassau in the Bahamas; and Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg in Canada.

Airports with US preclearance

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance is a strategic initiative where CBP personnel are stationed at designated foreign airports to inspect travellers before they board US-bound flights. This allows travellers to bypass CBP and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspections upon arrival in the US and proceed directly to their connecting flight or destination. 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.

There are currently 15 preclearance locations in 6 countries:

• Dublin Airport (DUB) in Ireland - The USCBP facility is in Terminal 2 and allows US-bound passengers to complete the entire US immigration, customs, and agriculture inspection before getting to the gate.
• Shannon Airport (SNN) in Ireland - Allows US-bound commercial flights that use the preclearance facilities to arrive at domestic terminals instead of international terminals.
• Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates
• Nassau in the Bahamas
• Bermuda
• Aruba
• Calgary International Airport in Canada - One of the first airports to introduce preclearance facilities in 1952.
• Toronto Pearson International Airport in Canada - The first airport to introduce preclearance facilities in 1952.
• Edmonton in Canada
• Halifax in Canada
• Montreal in Canada
• Ottawa in Canada
• Vancouver in Canada
• Winnipeg in Canada
• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) in Canada - The first new preclearance location in Canada since 2006.

In the early 2010s, there were plans to introduce preclearance at Incheon International Airport and Gimhae International Airport in South Korea. However, these plans were scrapped in 2015 as it was believed that preclearance could lead to decreased sales at duty-free shops. Similarly, the Government of the United Kingdom is exploring talks to establish US Preclearance at Belfast International Airport, although there are currently no non-stop flights between Belfast and the United States.

Benefits of preclearance

US Customs Preclearance is a strategic initiative by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to station their officers at designated foreign airports. This allows for the inspection of travellers before they board US-bound flights. The preclearance program has been in operation since 1952 and has proven benefits for all major stakeholders in the air travel industry. Here are some of the key advantages:

Streamlined Border Procedures and Reduced Congestion

Preclearance facilities enable travellers to complete immigration and customs screening before departure, streamlining border procedures and reducing congestion at US ports of entry. This is especially beneficial for airports that may not have the necessary infrastructure to process international travellers upon arrival.

Enhanced Convenience and Time Savings

Passengers arriving in the US after undergoing preclearance are treated as domestic arrivals. They can bypass lengthy immigration queues, proceed directly to baggage claim, and save valuable time. This convenience extends to connecting flights within the US, as precleared passengers can seamlessly proceed to their next gate without the hassle of reclaiming and rechecking baggage.

Cost Savings and Improved Connections

Preclearance facilitates cost savings by providing access to less expensive US domestic gates and more flexible arrival times at US airports. It also simplifies domestic connections, allowing travellers to accept tighter connection windows and reducing the likelihood of missing their onward flights.

Increased Market Access and New Route Options

The availability of preclearance enhances the attractiveness of US-bound travel, encouraging airlines to establish new routes to desirable US destinations. This increases market access and provides travellers with additional direct route options to over 160 US airports, regardless of whether they have a CBP port of entry.

Security Enhancements

Preclearance facilities also contribute to security by allowing for the early detection and mitigation of potential threats before travellers arrive in the United States. This added layer of security can provide peace of mind to both travellers and US authorities.

History of preclearance

The concept of preclearance has a long history, with its predecessor, "preinspection," dating back to 1903. During this time, passengers boarding ferries in Victoria, British Columbia, underwent pre-screening for customs and immigration before travelling to ports in the Pacific Northwest. With the rise of commercial aviation in the 1950s, pre-inspection evolved into the preclearance programme.

In 1952, the first airport preclearance stations were established at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Calgary International Airport in Canada, serving approximately 250,000 travellers in the initial year. By the 1970s, the number of travellers utilising preclearance had soared to 3 million.

The programme's expansion continued, and in 1988, Shannon Airport in Ireland became the first location outside of North America to offer preclearance. This marked a significant step in the programme's international reach. Dublin Airport in Ireland followed suit in the 1990s, further solidifying the programme's presence beyond North America.

Today, preclearance has expanded to 15 locations in six countries, including Canada, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Aruba, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. This expansion is facilitated through bilateral agreements between the United States and host governments, enhancing collaboration and coordination between nations.

The preclearance programme offers several advantages, including streamlined border procedures, reduced congestion at U.S. ports of entry, and facilitated travel to U.S. airports that may lack adequate facilities for processing international travellers. Additionally, preclearance enhances security by preventing inadmissible individuals and prohibited items from reaching the United States.

The preclearance process

The preclearance program was introduced to streamline border procedures, reduce congestion at ports of entry, and to facilitate travel into US airports that may not be equipped to otherwise handle international travellers. It has been in operation since 1952, when it was first introduced at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Calgary International Airport in Canada. Today, there are 15 preclearance locations in 6 countries: Ireland (Dublin and Shannon), Aruba, Bermuda, the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi), the Bahamas (Nassau), and Canada (Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg).

The process allows travellers to bypass CBP and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspections upon arrival in the US. They can then proceed directly to their connecting flight or final destination. Precleared travellers with connecting flights can also benefit from having their baggage checked through to their next destination. They can walk directly to their next gate, whereas non-precleared connecting passengers must undergo immigration and customs inspections and re-check their baggage.

Preclearance facilities exist due to agreements between the US federal government and host countries. Travellers who have passed through preclearance remain in the legal jurisdiction of the host country. US officials may question and search travellers with passengers' permission. Their powers to arrest or detain travellers are limited.

Airports that may introduce preclearance

Preclearance is a strategic initiative where CBP personnel are stationed at designated foreign airports to inspect travelers before boarding US-bound flights. This allows travelers to bypass CBP and TSA inspections upon arrival in the US, streamlining the travel process. Airports that may introduce preclearance in the future include:

Belfast International Airport, UK

As per the Windsor Framework and the supplemental Safeguarding the Union paper, the UK government is exploring talks to establish US Preclearance at Belfast International Airport. This would be a significant development as there are currently no non-stop flights between Belfast and the United States.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Canada

In 2024, there were plans to expand preclearance operations to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), which would be the first new preclearance location in Canada since 2006. This expansion would enhance security and streamline travel for passengers departing from Toronto to the United States.

Incheon International Airport and Gimhae International Airport, South Korea

In the early 2010s, the South Korean government considered introducing preclearance at these two airports. However, the plan was ultimately abandoned due to concerns over potential decreases in duty-free shop sales, despite potential income from usage fees.

It is worth noting that preclearance operations are already well-established at several airports in Canada and Ireland, including Toronto Pearson International Airport, Calgary International Airport, Dublin Airport, and Shannon Airport. These preclearance facilities have been successful in streamlining border procedures and enhancing the travel experience for passengers flying to the United States from these locations.

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