Ruth Haines
Montreal Airport, officially known as Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, is an international airport serving Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and its surrounding metropolitan area. The airport is a hub for Air Canada, the country's largest airline, and is one of the busiest airports in the country. When travelling through Montreal Airport, the customs process can vary depending on the origin and destination of the flight. For instance, when flying from Canada to the USA via Toronto, passengers typically need to pick up their bags, go through customs, and then re-check their bags before proceeding to their US-bound flight. Montreal Airport, however, offers a more streamlined process for certain flights.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | West end of the building |
| Customs process | Passengers must pick up their bags, go through customs, and put them back on the carousel before connecting to their US flight |
| Exceptions | If passengers have a stopover in Montreal, they may not need to go through customs and can stay on the plane |
| New style preclearance | Passengers tag and drop their bags, go through security, and then go through customs. Customs officers can see pictures of baggage and recall it for inspection |
| Faster lane | MPC lane |
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What You'll Learn
- Travellers flying from Canada to the US via Toronto must pick up their bags, go through customs, and re-check their bags before boarding their US flight
- Montreal Airport uses the 'new style' preclearance, where passengers tag and drop their bags, go through security, and then go through customs
- The US terminal at Montreal Airport is separate from the international terminal and is located at the west end of the building
- Travellers flying from the US to Canada via Montreal must go through Canadian customs in Toronto
- The CBP MPC app can save time when clearing US customs in Montreal
Travellers flying from Canada to the US via Toronto must pick up their bags, go through customs, and re-check their bags before boarding their US flight
If you're flying from Canada to the US via Toronto, you'll need to go through customs and immigration before boarding your US-bound flight. This process can be time-consuming, especially during peak travel times, so it's essential to plan and allow for sufficient time between your arrival in Toronto and your departure to the US.
At Toronto Pearson Airport, travellers to the US must clear US Customs and Immigration. This process involves confirming your identity and declaring any goods you're bringing into the US. You can do this at a primary inspection kiosk (PIK) or a NEXUS kiosk if you're a NEXUS member. It is recommended to use the Advance CBSA Declaration feature within the ArriveCAN app to save time upon arrival at the airport.
Regarding baggage, it depends on whether your bags are checked through to your final destination or if you need to pick them up at the Toronto layover. Typically, if you need to pick up your bags at the carousel, you will also need to re-check them before your next flight. It is advised to refer to your airline's instructions and the baggage claim information at the airport to ensure you follow the correct procedure.
Additionally, keep in mind that there are restrictions on what you can bring into Canada and the US. Some items may be subject to duty or taxes, while others may be prohibited. Make sure you are aware of these restrictions to avoid any issues during your travel.
Overall, when travelling from Canada to the US via Toronto, it is crucial to allow for sufficient time to go through customs, retrieve and re-check baggage, and pass through security before boarding your US-bound flight.
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Montreal Airport uses the 'new style' preclearance, where passengers tag and drop their bags, go through security, and then go through customs
Montreal Airport uses a new style of preclearance, allowing passengers to tag and drop their bags, go through security, and clear customs efficiently. This system has been in operation since 1952 and offers several benefits to travellers.
Upon arrival at the airport, passengers can tag their luggage and drop them off at a designated location. This means that passengers don't need to carry their bags with them through security and customs, streamlining the process. After dropping off their bags, passengers proceed to the security checkpoint, where they undergo the standard security screening procedures.
Once they have cleared security, passengers then head to the customs area. Montreal Airport has a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance facility, which allows travellers bound for the U.S. to clear customs before departure, avoiding any delays upon arrival in the U.S. This preclearance process includes inspection by CBP officers and the use of innovative technologies, such as facial recognition biometrics, to expedite passenger processing.
The new style preclearance system offers enhanced convenience and efficiency for travellers. It enables passengers to skip CBP and TSA inspection lines upon arrival in the U.S. and proceed directly to their connecting flight or final destination. This is especially beneficial for those with tight connection windows, reducing the chances of missing a domestic connection. Additionally, preclearance increases security by identifying potential threats early in the travel process.
Montreal's preclearance process also extends to those with flights connecting through Toronto. In such cases, passengers typically clear Canadian customs in Toronto, as the subsequent flight to Montreal is considered domestic. This seamless transfer process ensures that travellers can efficiently navigate their way to their final destination, experiencing faster and more reliable service.
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The US terminal at Montreal Airport is separate from the international terminal and is located at the west end of the building
When flying from Montreal to the US, you will need to go through US customs. This involves picking up your bags and going through customs before re-checking them. Montreal Trudeau Airport has a separate US terminal, located at the west end of the building, which is distinct from the international terminal.
The US pre-clearance process in Montreal has been described as ""new style". This means that passengers tag and drop their bags before proceeding through security. Then, they go through US Customs, where officers can see baggage information and recall bags for inspection if necessary. This process is more efficient than the ""old style" preclearance, where passengers would go through customs before dropping their bags, creating the possibility of unsupervised contact with checked luggage post-security.
The CBP MPC app can save time when clearing US customs in Montreal. It is recommended to use MPC along with ArriveCAN for faster processing. Additionally, Air Canada provides map directions for transfers, which can be helpful as some airports, like Toronto, can be confusing. It is beneficial to study these instructions ahead of time for a smoother experience.
Montreal's US terminal is separate from the international terminal to facilitate efficient travel to the US and enhance security. The separation enables the implementation of innovative technologies, such as facial recognition biometrics, to expedite passenger processing and meet the demands of rising passenger volume. This design also allows for greater collaboration between US authorities and local law enforcement, bolstering safety for all travellers.
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Travellers flying from the US to Canada via Montreal must go through Canadian customs in Toronto
When flying from the US to Canada via Montreal, travellers will go through Canadian customs in Toronto. Toronto's airport can be a bit confusing, so it is recommended that travellers study Air Canada's map directions for transfers through Toronto ahead of time.
Upon arrival in Toronto, travellers will need to clear Canadian customs and then proceed to the international area, where there are no customs or immigration procedures related to leaving Canada. For some flights, travellers may be able to “stay airside" and avoid interacting with Canadian customs and immigration or only do so very briefly.
When entering Canada, travellers will go through customs upon landing in the country. If the final destination is in Canada, travellers will go through customs there. However, if the final destination is in the US, travellers will need to pre-clear US customs and immigration before boarding their US-bound flight. Toronto has had "US pre-clearance" since at least the early 2000s, and this process can take a while if there are many travellers.
Travellers should also be mindful of their bags during the customs process. In some cases, travellers may need to pick up their bags and then re-check them after clearing customs. However, if the bags are checked through to the final international destination, travellers should not go to the carousel to pick them up, as this can cause confusion.
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The CBP MPC app can save time when clearing US customs in Montreal
The CBP MPC app is a great way to save time when clearing US customs in Montreal. The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) program is a free service offered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows travellers to submit their passport and travel information using a mobile device. This results in less congestion and more efficient processing, meaning shorter wait times for travellers.
The app is available for download on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. After downloading the app, users create a profile with their passport information, name, gender, date of birth, and country of citizenship. Upon landing in the United States or arriving at an eligible Preclearance location, travellers select their airport or seaport and terminal, take a self-photo, and answer CBP inspection-related questions.
The CBP MPC app is particularly useful for families travelling together, as it allows for a single household to submit one MPC transaction. This means that families can stay together when they speak to the CBP Officer, instead of going up to the booth one at a time. The app can also be used by groups of up to 12 people travelling together, even if they are not from the same household.
Once travellers have submitted their information through the app, they will receive an electronic receipt with a QR code. They then bring their physical passport and mobile device with the digital QR-coded receipt to a CBP officer to finalize their inspection for entry into the United States. The designated MPC lanes at CBP facilities typically have shorter wait times because MPC allows officers to process travellers more efficiently.
The MPC program was originally launched in August 2014 and has since been used by more than 4.3 million travellers. It is a fast, free alternative to Global Entry, which can have a lengthy screening process and a significant application fee. The CBP MPC app can be a convenient way to avoid the longest lines at US Customs and Border Protection when clearing US customs in Montreal.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you will need to go through Canadian customs in Toronto. Your flight from Toronto to Montreal is domestic, so there is no way to bypass customs.
It depends on whether Montreal Airport is using the "old style" or new style preclearance. In the former, you would need to pick up your bags, go through customs, and put them back on the carousel. In the latter, you would not need to pick up your bags, but you would need to identify them on a computer screen.
You can save time by using the MPC app or ArriveCAN.
