Official website of the Department of Homeland Security
Printer-friendly version
Learn About Preclearance
Benefits
Sites and Contact Information
Partners: Apply for Preclearance
Preclearance operates at 16 locations worldwide
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance is the strategic stationing of CBP personnel at designated foreign airports to inspect travelers prior to boarding U.S.-bound flights. With Preclearance, travelers then bypass CBP and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspections upon U.S. arrival and proceed directly to their connecting flight or destination.
Â
Today, CBP has more than 600 officers and agriculture specialists stationed at 16 Preclearance locations in 6 countries: Dublin and Shannon in Ireland; Aruba; Freeport and Nassau in The Bahamas; Bermuda; Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; and Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg in Canada.
In 2019, CBP personnel stationed abroad precleared 22 million travelers, representing over 16 percent of all commercial air travelers to the United States.
Preclearance VideoÂ
The Benefits of Preclearance
In operation since 1952, Preclearance has proven benefits for all major stakeholders in the air travel industry. Click below to learn about the specific benefits for each group.
Traveler Benefits
No Security or Waiting Upon U.S. Arrival - Skip CBP and TSA inspection lines upon arrival in the U.S and proceed directly to a connecting flight or final destination.
Easier Domestic Connections - Accept tighter connection windows at U.S. airports and be less likely to miss a domestic connection.
Airline Benefits
Cost Savings - Access less expensive U.S. domestic gates and more flexible arrival times at airports in the U.S.
Increase U.S. Market Access - Establish new routes to desirable U.S. destinations that meet growing traveler demand.
Airport Benefits
New U.S. Destinations - Enable new direct routes to 160+ U.S. airports regardless of whether they have a CBP port of entry. Gain an advantage over competitors for the U.S.-bound traveler market.
Terminal of the Future - Bring innovative technologies like facial recognition biometrics that expedite passenger processing, and help meet the demand of rising passenger volume to the U.S.
Government Benefits
Enhance Security – Bolster the safety and security of all travelers while facilitating efficient trade and travel.
Greater Collaboration - Increase collaboration and coordination between the U.S. and host governments through daily interaction with local law enforcement partners and other government authorities.
Preclearance Sites and Contact Information
Preclearance Field Operations
1717 H Street, NW, 6th Floor
CB-15 Mail Stop 1300
Washington, DC 20229
Questions & Customer Service
For general CBP inquiries, please call the CBP INFO Center Monday-Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern Time.
General Inquiries: 1-877-CBP(227)-5511
International Callers: (202) 325-8000
TDD: https://www.federalip.us/
Preclearance Site Locations
Click below to find contact information for any of the 16 Preclearance sites worldwide.
Canada
Canada | ||||
Port Name | Address | Operating Hours | Phone Number | |
Calgary Preclearance | P.O. Box 155 | 4:30 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. | (403) 221-1641 | |
Edmonton Preclearance | 2312, 1000 Airport Road | 4:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. | (780) 890-4515 | |
Halifax Preclearance | Airport Level 2& | 5:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | (902) 873-7780 | |
Montreal Preclearance | 975 Romeo Vachon Boulevard | 4:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. | (514) 636-3875 | |
Ottawa Preclearance | 1000 Airport Road, Private | 4:15 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. | (613) 523-8120 | |
Toronto Preclearance | P.O. Box 115 | T1: 4:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. T3: 3:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. | (905) 676-2606 ext 420 | |
Vancouver Preclearance | 3161 Grant McConachie Way | 4:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m. | (604) 278-7422 | |
Victoria Preclearance | 2701 Alaskan Way Pier 69 | 7:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | (250) 384-1821 | |
Winnipeg Preclearance | 2311-1970 Wellington Avenue | 5:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | (204) 783-2206 | |
Caribbean
Caribbean | ||||
Port Name | Address | Operating Hours | Phone Number | |
Bahamas - Freeport Preclearance Grand Bahama International Airport | P.O. Box 22400 | Closed | (242) 352-7256 | |
Bahamas - Nassau Preclearance | 1 Windsor Field Road | 5:00 a.m. – 7:45 p.m. | (242) 377-7125 | |
Bermuda Preclearance | 2 Kindley Field Road St. George's, Bermuda DD 03 | 6:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | (441) 293-0353 | |
Aruba Preclearance | P.O. Box 520068 | 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. | 011 297-588-7240 | |
Ireland
Ireland | ||||
Port Name | Address | Operating Hours | Phone Number | |
Dublin Preclearance | Terminal 2, Pier E | 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | 011 353-1248-0300 | |
Shannon Preclearance | Shannon | 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | 011 353-6147-2297 | |
United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates | ||||
Port Name | Address | Operating Hours | Phone Number | |
Abu Dhabi Preclearance | P.O. Box 13160 | 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | 011 971-2-575-9005 | |
