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4 Reasons Why I Love U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance

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Christine Krzyszton
Edited by: Michael Y. Park
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Returning to the U.S. after an international trip can be stressful. You try to prepare with Global Entry, Mobile Passport, and TSA PreCheck for your ongoing flights, but there’s still no guarantee you won’t have to wait in line. You may even need to transit between an international arrival terminal and the domestic terminal to catch a connecting flight.

With U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance, you don’t have to worry about the time-consuming process upon arrival in the U.S. and can complete the entire screening procedure in advance at your international departure airport.

Here’s how the program works, where to find it, and why it can make your travel day significantly easier.

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What Is CBP Preclearance?

CBP Preclearance allows travelers to undergo immigration and customs screening while in a foreign airport before boarding their flight to the U.S. While this article focuses more on airport locations, preclearance also operates on select ferry, train, and cruise routes.

Preclearance Banner
Preclearance is a convenient service for travelers coming to the U.S. Image Credit: CBP.gov

At these locations, CBP and TSA agents screen passengers just as they normally would, including any necessary customs or agriculture inspection, in the departure country.

There is no additional cost to use CBP Preclearance, as airlines have generally built the fees into ticket prices. Preclearance is available for both commercial and private aviation, but private planes must purchase a separate user-fee decal to use the preclearance program.

The service is a tremendous benefit for travelers, as it eliminates CBP screening upon arrival in the U.S., saving time, enabling easier connections at U.S. airports, and offering other benefits. All airline, ferry, cruise, and train passengers and crew entering the U.S. can use CBP Preclearance where available.

Below are 4 of the reasons you might find the program to be a real time-saver and stress reducer.

Hot Tip:

CBP Preclearance is available at certain airports worldwide, as well as at a few train stations and marine facilities in Canada, allowing any passengers to be screened at the international airport of departure. The program works the same as immigration and customs procedures in the U.S., and the cost is generally included in the price of your ticket for commercial flights (special decal required for private flights).

1. Skip CBP Screening When You Arrive in the U.S.

Imagine walking straight into a domestic terminal after stepping off your flight from Dublin (DUB), Ireland. Entering the U.S. stress-free, without worrying about long lines or terminal changes between international and domestic trips, is a key reason to love CBP Preclearance.

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2. Save Time at Busy U.S. Airports

If you’re arriving on an international flight at a busy U.S. airport such as JFK in New York City, connecting to your domestic flight can be cumbersome and time-consuming. With preclearance, you can manage the process beforehand and have a smoother arrival.

JFK Terminal 4 Global Entry diner
Be on your way quicker when you’ve cleared immigration and customs remotely. Image Credit: Upgraded Points LLC.

Completing customs and immigration before your departure flight to the U.S. can also eliminate the stress and uncertainty of completing them in the U.S., and having to go through additional domestic TSA screening.

3. Easier (and Shorter) Domestic Connections

If you don’t have to clear customs or immigration on arrival in the U.S., you can book a shorter connection time for your domestic flights. This time savings means you may have more connecting flight options, and could possibly book a flight that reaches your destination sooner.

Since you’d be arriving at a domestic terminal, you may not need to go through additional TSA screening to make your connecting flight. You could simply go to the gate for your next departing domestic flight.

4. Benefits Beyond Just Convenience

Another major benefit of CBP Preclearance is that it reduces congestion at key U.S. airports, including those in major hub cities such as New York, Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), Washington D.C. (IAD), and Seattle (SEA). Transiting through these busy airports upon arrival becomes much easier after you use preclearance.

It can also make it easier for airlines to launch new U.S. routes from international airports that may not otherwise have the infrastructure to handle large volumes of arriving passengers.

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Another overlooked benefit: If a traveler’s entry into the U.S. is denied for any reason, there is no need to initiate deportation proceedings. The passenger remains at the departure point rather than being denied after arrival in the U.S.

Where To Find CBP Preclearance

There are currently more than 200 U.S. airports that can officially accept preclearance aircraft, including both commercial and private aircraft. CBP Preclearance is mostly in Canada, but there are additional locations in the Caribbean, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates.

Air Canada Rouge at Toronto Pearson Airport
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is a key preclearance airport. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

Here are all the current preclearance locations at airports, marine facilities, and rail stations.

International Airports With CBP Preclearance

There are CBP Preclearance facilities in 6 countries.

Canada (7 Airports)

  • Toronto: Billy Bishop International Airport, Canada (YTZ)
  • Toronto: Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Canada (YYZ)
  • Calgary: Calgary International Airport, Canada (YYC)
  • Edmonton: Edmonton International Airport, Canada (YEG)
  • Montreal: Trudeau International Airport, Canada (YUL)
  • Ottawa: McDonald-Cartier International Airport, Canada (YOW)
  • Vancouver: Vancouver International Airport, Canada (YVR)

Caribbean (3 Airports)

  • Nassau, Bahamas: Lynden Pindling International Airport, Bahamas (NAS)
  • Bermuda: L.F. Wade International Airport, Bermuda (BDA)
  • Aruba: Queen Beatrix International Airport, Aruba (AUA)

Ireland (2 Airports)

  • Dublin: Dublin International Airport, Ireland (DUB)
  • Shannon: Shannon International Airport, Ireland (SNN)

United Arab Emirates (1 Airport)

  • Abu Dhabi: Zayed International Airport, UAE (AUH)

CBP Preclearance Besides Airports

  • Prince Rupert, British Columbia: Alaska Marine Highway Ferry Terminal
  • Victoria, British Columbia: Victoria Clipper Terminal
  • Vancouver, British Columbia: Various marine facilities and the Pacific Central Rail Station

For private aviation, preclearance facilities are also available at Shannon, Ireland, and in Aruba.

Bottom Line:

CBP Preclearance is available in 6 countries, including Canada, Nassau, Aruba, Bermuda, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates. Additional locations for private airports are located in Shannon, Ireland, and Aruba.

How To Use CBP Preclearance

The primary requirement when using CBP Preclearance is to arrive at your international departure airport earlier than usual. You need to clear immigration and customs in the departing country, as well as U.S. immigration and customs, at the same airport.

Having Global Entry and Mobile Passport can be a massive advantage when using CBP Preclearance, just as they are in within the U.S. Both can be used at all preclearance locations.

Fortunately, the Mobile Passport app is free and easy to use. And, several travel rewards cards offer fee reimbursement for Global Entry (or TSA PreCheck). You may already hold a card that includes this perk.

Hot Tip:

Below are two of our favorite premium travel rewards cards that offer this perk, along with additional travel protections and benefits.

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You can pay for your Global Entry application or renewal fee with your card and receive up to $120 in statement credits every 4 years.

Final Thoughts

Using CBP Preclearance is a real convenience for international travelers returning to the U.S. Though the service is only available in a limited number of locations, it can be a game-changer for those with access.

Going through immigration, customs, and potential agriculture inspection before boarding your flight to the U.S. can save tons of time. Completing the process at the foreign departure airport also eliminates some stress of your arrival in the U.S. and allows you to book connecting flights with shorter domestic connection times.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services offices. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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Platinum Card® from American Express

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
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  • With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
  • $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
  • $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
  • $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
  • $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
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