Airports: Customs And Immigration Transport Operations

Customs and immigration procedures at airports are an important aspect of international travel, ensuring the legal entry of individuals and screening for prohibited items or goods. Typically, passengers arriving in a foreign country undergo customs and immigration checks upon landing. However, the concept of preclearance allows travellers to undergo these checks before departure, streamlining their arrival process in the destination country. Preclearance facilities are available at select airports, enabling travellers to arrive as domestic passengers and conveniently connect to their next destination. This process not only reduces congestion at ports of entry but also enhances security and facilitates efficient travel.

Characteristics and Values of Airports Transport for Customs Immigration

Preclearance facilities

Currently, there are 14-15 preclearance facilities spread across six countries, with eight major airports in Canada offering this service. The Canadian airports with preclearance facilities include Calgary (YYC), Edmonton (YEG), Halifax (YHZ), Montreal (YUL), Ottawa (YOW), Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Victoria (YYJ), and Winnipeg (YWG). In addition to Canada, preclearance facilities can be found in Aruba, Bermuda, the Bahamas, the United Arab Emirates, and Ireland. For example, Dublin Airport in Ireland is a preclearance airport, where US-bound passengers go through US customs before their flight to the US.

The preclearance program offers several advantages to travellers, airlines, and the US government. For travellers, preclearance provides the convenience of clearing customs and immigration before their flight, eliminating the need to go through the process upon arrival in the US. It also reduces the risk of missing a connecting flight due to lengthy customs procedures. Additionally, travellers can take advantage of more flexible arrival times and access less expensive US domestic gates.

Airlines benefit from preclearance facilities as they can market the ease of this service and differentiate themselves from competitors. It also provides them with more flexibility in operating routes and landing slot allocation. For the US government, preclearance facilities enhance security by allowing CBP officers to screen individuals before they board US-bound flights. This helps identify inadmissible passengers and prohibited goods before they reach US soil, streamlining border procedures and reducing potential security risks.

Customs screening

During customs screening, officers may stop individuals to determine their admissibility into the country. They may search travellers' belongings, including electronic devices such as laptops and cell phones, for contraband or prohibited items. It is important to note that officers are not allowed to select individuals for personal searches or secondary inspections based on religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs. Travellers have the right to decline to answer questions about their religious or political beliefs and cannot be denied entry solely for refusing to answer.

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers also play a crucial role in airport security screenings. They are responsible for screening passengers, baggage, and cargo. TSA officers are not typically law enforcement officers, but they have the authority to conduct searches and refer suspicious activities or items to local law enforcement. TSA's screening procedures are designed to prevent prohibited items and security threats from entering secure airport areas. They screen carry-on bags for explosives and other dangerous items, and they may request passengers to remove light outer garments or bulky clothing for inspection.

To ensure a smooth customs screening process, travellers are advised to arrive at the airport early, especially when flying to the US or from preclearance airports, to allow ample time for inspections. It is also recommended to place powder-like substances above 12 ounces in checked baggage and to be prepared for additional screening of electronic devices. Travellers with religious headwear or young children have specific rights during screening, and they can opt for alternative inspection methods if needed.

Immigration admissibility

Admissibility is a key issue for individuals seeking naturalisation as US citizens. One of the requirements for naturalisation is that the applicant was lawfully admitted to permanent residence. If the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services determines that an applicant for naturalisation was inadmissible at the time they became a permanent resident, their citizenship will be denied, and removal proceedings will be initiated.

Immigration law requires a higher standard of personal conduct for individuals who wish to be admitted to the United States than for those who have already been properly admitted. Individuals who have been admitted and lived in the United States usually have jobs, family, and friends, and other significant ties to this country—ties that should not be disrupted without a showing of very unacceptable conduct. Persons seeking admission can be subject to more stringent requirements because they usually do not have such ties. However, in practice, some of the grounds for removal, especially the "aggravated felony" grounds, are more stringent than the grounds of inadmissibility. It is possible for a non-citizen who is lawfully resident in the United States to be removed for committing a relatively minor crime that would not be a bar to admission.

The grounds of inadmissibility are listed in section 212 of the INA. When a non-citizen applies for a visa to travel to the US, the consular officer will consider whether any of these grounds apply. However, a finding that none of them applies is not conclusive. Immigration officers make an independent determination of a non-citizen's admissibility when they arrive at a port of entry. Before the 1990 Act, the INA listed 34 classes of inadmissibility (formerly "exclusion"). The 1990 Act updated what was previously considered an unnecessarily complex classification scheme. Until the 1990 changes, even the most archaic classes remained intact; for example, the inadmissibility of "paupers, professional beggars, or vagrants" as one class and homosexuals as another. The 1990 Act eliminated both classes. In 1996, IIRIRA added a number of new grounds of inadmissibility and made some of the existing grounds more stringent.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating existing guidance based on revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Technical Instructions regarding tuberculosis, gonorrhoea, and syphilis, and the change in nomenclature from leprosy to Hansen’s Disease. USCIS is also updating how USCIS submits a request to CDC for an advisory opinion and removing the outdated vaccination chart.

Domestic connections

When it comes to domestic connections, there are a few key considerations for customs and immigration procedures at airports. Firstly, it's important to understand the concept of preclearance, where travellers clear customs and immigration at their departure airport before boarding their flight to the United States. This process is available at 14 international airports in six countries, including Ireland, Aruba, the United Arab Emirates, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Canada. By undergoing preclearance, passengers arriving in the US are treated as domestic travellers and can proceed directly to their connecting flights or final destinations. This can be a significant advantage, especially in terms of saving time and avoiding potential delays.

However, it's crucial to plan ahead when travelling through airports with preclearance facilities. Travellers may need to arrive at the airport earlier than usual to allow sufficient time for the preclearance process. This includes budgeting for potential delays and ensuring that the preclearance facility is open during the intended travel time. Failing to account for this additional step can result in missed connections, as illustrated by an incident at Dublin Airport, where passengers were unable to board their New York-bound flight due to the unexpected closure of US customs.

Another strategy for streamlining domestic connections is to enrol in trusted traveller programs such as Global Entry. This program allows pre-approved participants to bypass lengthy customs lines at select airports by using self-service kiosks. This can significantly expedite the customs process, as travellers can simply scan their faces at a kiosk instead of waiting in long queues. However, it's worth noting that not all airports offer this option, and travellers should research the specific facilities available at their departure and arrival airports.

Additionally, when dealing with domestic connections, it's essential to consider the logistics of baggage transfer. In some cases, travellers may need to claim their baggage at their layover destination before proceeding to their onward domestic flight. This typically applies when travellers have separate tickets for different segments of their journey. However, when travelling with a single e-ticket for the entire trip, baggage can often be checked through to the final destination, eliminating the need to reclaim and recheck baggage at each connection.

To ensure a smooth domestic connection, it's advisable to consult the specific guidelines provided by the airline or airport. Some airports, such as Toronto Pearson Airport, offer online tools like the Advance CBSA Declaration, which can be completed up to 72 hours in advance, significantly reducing the time spent on customs and immigration procedures upon arrival. Additionally, travellers can take advantage of primary inspection kiosks (PIKs) to confirm their identity and submit customs declarations, further streamlining the process.

Global Entry

At the airport, program members proceed to the Global Entry lanes, where processing technology captures a photo to verify their membership. Once the photo has been captured, the member will receive on-screen instructions and proceed to a CBP officer who will confirm that they have successfully completed the process.

All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment. If a traveller is unable to schedule an interview at an Enrollment Center prior to their international travel, they can complete their interview via Enrollment on Arrival when they arrive in the United States.

Another upcoming processing technology option for travellers is the Global Entry Mobile App. This app will enable members to validate their arrival in the United States on their iOS or Android device before entering the Federal Inspection Services area. While Global Entry’s goal is to speed travellers through the process, members may still be selected for further examination when entering the United States.

Frequently asked questions