If you have not yet had the pleasure of experiencing clearing customs before departing for the US, you’re missing out. The customs process is always a slow, painful experience no matter where you are, but having the ability to arrive on US soil and immediately leave the airport is glorious.
The US Customs and Border Patrol and Homeland Security departments are typically the subject of harsh criticism, and often rightfully so. But the Preclearance idea, who ever thought of it, is amazing.
Cities with Existing Preclearance Facilities
The following cities have Preclearance facilities:
- Shannon (SNN)
- Dublin (DUB)
- Abu Dhabi (AUH)
- Aruba (AUA)
- Nassau, Bahamas (NAS)
- Freeport, Bahamas (FPO)
- Toronto (YYZ)
- Montreal (YUL)
- Ottawa (YOW)
- Winnipeg (YWG)
- Bermuda (BDA)
- Calgary (YYC)
- Victoria (YYJ)
- Vancouver (YVR)
- Edmonton (YEG)
- Halifax (YHZ)
Cities Rumored to be Getting Preclearance Facilities
The following cities have been rumored to be getting Preclearance:
- Brussels (BRU)
- Punta Cana (PUJ)
- Tokyo (NRT)
- Oslo (OSL)
- Madrid (MAD)
- Stockholm (ARN)
- Istanbul (IST)
- London (LHR)
- Manchester (MAN)
- Bogota (BOG)
- Buenos Aires (EZE)
- Edinburgh (EDI)
- Keflavik, Iceland (KEF)
- Mexico City (MEX)
- Milan (MXP)
- Osaka (KIX)
- Rio de Janeiro (GIG)
- Rome (FCO)
- São Paulo (GRU)
- St. Maarten (SXM)
- Taipei (TPE)
Which city are you most excited to see get Preclearance?
PUJ was rumored to have it 10 years ago. I would not hold my breath on PUJ.
Sweden and the US signed an agreement back in 2016 saying the facility would open as early as 2019, so I would mark that one as more or less “confirmed future preclearance airport”
I had seen something about Schiphol Amsterdam recently.
In terms of my flying, BRU, MXP would be greatbespeci BRU since it’s cheaper to fly into/out of. LHR is a no brainer although I’m curious if all terminals will get it or just BA?
IST is a great choice with the new airport coming on line in the Fall.
The only downside is there are generally no lounges past the pre-clearance area. So you don’t have the luxury of waiting out the economy boarding or delays in the comfort of a lounge, drink in hand. I do believe YYZ is an exception with a UAL lounge.
After staying in Atlantis, I was able to use Global Entry at NAS and there was Graycliff Divans to use. They folks there are a rude bunch. They act like they are angry you showed up. Good food, however.
At NAS, it’s basically baggage, security, customs, then terminals with eateries all around.
SNN has a Priority Pass lounge past pre-clearance as well.
I’m surprised that LHR and GAT don’t yet have pre-clearance.
Same, surprised LHR and GAT dont yet have preclearance
Being able to pass through customs BEFORE landing in the US is a pretty awesome idea. You’re already at the airport waiting around for your flight anyway, might as well be productive.
AUH has a lounge, post US Pre-clearance