Clearning US customs

[akfan]

We fly from Halifax to Orlando next month, but we have a stopover in Toronto. If we were going directly to Orlando, we could clear US customs in Halifax, and if we were leaving from Toronto, we could clear customs in Toronto. I'm wondering if we clear US customs in Toronto in this situation. Does anyone know?
Thanks

 

[PBX1]

Very doubtful. To go through US Customs at Pearson yo have to go through it from the public side. Since you are on a stop over, you wouldn't be leaving the secure side of the Airport. Your carrier could tell you for sure though.

 

[Ham Ham]

They''ll clear US customs in Toronto.
http://www.gtaa.com/en/travellers/connecting/connection_tips/

 

[OntFamily]

Regardless of your point of departure (in this case, Halifax), whether your flight preclears US customs in Canada depends on your last Canadian airport (in this instance Toronto). Most flights leaving Toronto for the USA (the only notable exceptions are some small charter airlines) preclear customs in Toronto.

Note: preclearing customs is not an option. If your flight preclears USA cusotms, you must also preclear USA customs.

 

[tiggerrr]

Regardless of your point of departure (in this case, Halifax), whether your flight preclears US customs in Canada depends on your last Canadian airport (in this instance Toronto). Most flights leaving Toronto for the USA (the only notable exceptions are some small charter airlines) preclear customs in Toronto.

Note: preclearing customs is not an option. If your flight preclears USA cusotms, you must also preclear USA customs.

The link given by a PP mentions this, but it bears repeating - if you have checked baggage you will have to collect your checked bags in Toronto and go through customs with them and then re-check them after you have pre-cleared. Then you will go through security again.

The same thing will happen if your return through Toronto. You will clear Canada customs when you get off the plane, claim your luggage, exit customs and then recheck your bags and reclear security for the flight to Halifax.

 

[Northstar]

The link given by a PP mentions this, but it bears repeating - if you have checked baggage you will have to collect your checked bags in Toronto and go through customs with them and then re-check them after you have pre-cleared. Then you will go through security again.

The same thing will happen if your return through Toronto. You will clear Canada customs when you get off the plane, claim your luggage, exit customs and then recheck your bags and reclear security for the flight to Halifax.

Akfan, this is why you need to make sure you have a long connection time in Toronto. Preclearance there involves 3 separate (and unpredictable) waits: wait for luggage to be unloaded from your 1st flight, wait to clear immigration/passport check, wait in security lines to re-enter the secure area after the preclearance process dumps you out into the non-secure airport areas.

 

[Boncho]

Akfan, this is why you need to make sure you have a long connection time in Toronto. Preclearance there involves 3 separate (and unpredictable) waits: wait for luggage to be unloaded from your 1st flight, wait to clear immigration/passport check, wait in security lines to re-enter the secure area after the preclearance process dumps you out into the non-secure airport areas.

That's right! This is why I try to get direct flights whenever possible, but we all know that it's not always possible.

 

[stema74]

I have a question about preclearance as well…we’re flying from Deer Lake to Montreal to Orlando. Will we preclear in Montreal? If so how long will it take? We arrive Montreal 7:08 and depart again at 8:25…this is how the flight schedule was set up when we booked with Air Canada.

 

[crashbb]

And (assuming you have the reverse routing on the way home) - you'll clear Canadian customs in Toronto, pick up your luggage, drop your luggage off at the 'connecting passengers' area, and re-clear security.

 

[OntFamily]

I have a question about preclearance as well…we’re flying from Deer Lake to Montreal to Orlando. Will we preclear in Montreal? If so how long will it take? We arrive Montreal 7:08 and depart again at 8:25…this is how the flight schedule was set up when we booked with Air Canada.

You will preclear in Montreal. As long as the flight to Montreal is on time, you shouldn't have any problems. If you are 30 minutes late, you will have to hustle (lines in Montreal are not to bad).