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What is US customs ‘preclearance’ – and does it benefit British travellers? - THE TELEGRAPH
Scotland already has a Trump golf course – but could it be getting an American border post next? That’s the hope of bosses at Edinburgh Airport, who have been pushing for a Dublin-style preclearance system that would allow travellers to complete US immigration before they depart.
The idea was apparently raised by Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, during his own meeting with the Donald last year. Apparently, the Scottish government hopes that president Trump’s love for his mother’s homeland might make all the difference.
What would it mean for travellers heading stateside if it were to happen? Here’s the essential guide to preclearance – and how it can substantially improve your next trip across the pond.
What is preclearance?
Preclearance is essentially a process by which a physical US border post is established within a foreign airport (similar to clearing French customers at St Pancras when you take Eurostar), thereby allowing anyone flying to the States to complete their passport and visa checks before they depart the UK, and then stroll out at the other end without getting snarled up in any long customs queues.
It’s usually a special security line somewhere within the airport, which is staffed by US border officers. Legally, it’s no different to any other US immigration border; it just happens to be within a foreign airport, rather than in the States.
Which countries have preclearance?
There are US preclearance facilities at 15 airports in five different countries. The majority of those airports are in Canada, with three more in the Caribbean (the Bahamas, Bermuda and Aruba).
Ireland is the only European country to offer the preclearance system, which is in place at both Dublin and Shannon airports. The only other on this side of the Atlantic is in Abu Dhabi, where travellers can clear customs before embarking on the 15-hour flight to New York.
Will preclearance at Edinburgh actually happen?
Predicting the whims of this president is never easy. One potential spanner in the works, though, is that preclearance usually requires a formal treaty between the two countries. The power to sign such a treaty would reside with the UK Government – not the Scottish government.
Does preclearance cost extra – and are there any extra requirements?
No. The requirements are exactly the same as those for entering the States at a US airport. You’ll still need an Esta (visa waiver) or visa, and you may be asked why you are going to the States and how long you’re staying.
The border agents have exactly the same rights as they would on US soil, too, which means that they can refuse entry if they think you are breaching the rules.
What happens when you land?
You’re free to go as you please, whether that’s exiting the airport or catching another flight.
Anyone who has taken a domestic flight within the States will be familiar with the thrill of breezing through the airport straight to baggage control – particularly if they have prior experience of the customs lines at the likes of LAX, Dulles or JFK. As ease of travel goes, it feels more like arriving at a train station rather than an airport, given that there are no further checks or queues.
Is it compulsory?
Yes. If you’re flying to the US from an airport with preclearance, it is compulsory to use the system. This means that, when the flight reaches its destination, it can be treated essentially as a domestic arrival – rather than the passengers who have been pre-cleared needing to be separated from those who have not.
What are the advantages?
The big one is obvious: you don’t have to worry about passport control when you arrive, meaning that you can skip the notorious queues, waiting for a surly immigration officer to check your documents.
It also means that you’ll know for certain whether you’ve been cleared to enter the US before you board your flight. That might give extra peace of mind to travellers who are worried about being quizzed on their travel plans or their bank balance – something that US border control sometimes does in order to ascertain whether you’re planning to overstay.
Are there any disadvantages?
Just like any passport queue, preclearance can get very busy. Dublin Airport currently advises that US-bound travellers arrive at the line at least three hours before take-off to ensure they have completed the process on time. On particularly busy days (especially likely around American public holidays), Aer Lingus has even had to hold back some flights to ensure that passengers have time to complete preclearance.
Of course, you may have had to queue at the other end too. But if you’re heading to one of the less busy airports – Aer Lingus flies to Cleveland, Ohio, for example – you may end up waiting longer than you would have done in America. It’s all worth bearing in mind before you book.
