Travel Tips

Travel Tip: CBP Preclearance Could Expand to More Countries

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons User WestportWiki

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons User WestportWiki

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons User WestportWiki

Many of you may not have heard about something called Preclearance, but it’s your best friend when returning to the U.S. from a number of countries overseas.

It’s been around since 1952, and it applies to countries such as Canada, the Bahamas, Ireland, and even the United Arab Emirates.

Here’s how it works.

When you get to the airport in these destinations to check in for your return flight to the U.S., you actually clear U.S. customs and immigration in those countries.

The result? When you land back in the U.S., you’re not standing in a line and your bags automatically connect to your final destination.

Now Preclearance is being looked at as one of the more effective tools to screen possible terrorists before they ever board an airplane headed for the U.S. It’s a win-win.

No more misconnected passengers or bags, no long lines at customs back in the U.S., and better security.

In the next 6 to 18 months, look for announcements of additional countries participating in the program.

It saves time, it saves stress, and it’s offering better security.

For more information about Preclearance and airport security, check out:

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