Customs Question

[mousemom11]

When we return from Barcelona this summer, we fly Barcelona-Montreal-DC-Seattle. Will we go through customs in both Montreal and DC?

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You will clear customs in DC.

That is an odd flight routing and sounds like a long flight home.

 

[DebbieB]

Is it the same plane or different planes (connecting)? Don't Canadian flights to the US pre-clear in Canada?

 

[mousemom11]

Is it the same plane or different planes (connecting)? Don't Canadian flights to the US pre-clear in Canada?

I think you are right Debbie. After much poking around on the Montreal Airport's website, I finally came across a page that described procedures for various connecting flights. As US citizens arriving on an international flight and then connecting to a US flight, we skip Canadian customs and then pre-clear through US customs. So it looks like when our flight lands in DC, we will be treated as a domestic arrival.

 

[tiggerrr]

I think you are right Debbie. After much poking around on the Montreal Airport's website, I finally came across a page that described procedures for various connecting flights. As US citizens arriving on an international flight and then connecting to a US flight, we skip Canadian customs and then pre-clear through US customs. So it looks like when our flight lands in DC, we will be treated as a domestic arrival.

As long as your airline has a procedure for automatically transferring your luggage to US Pre-clearance. Otherwise you have to clear Canada customs to get your bags at the carousel and then go to pre-clear US customs and re-check your bag.

I'd confirm the procedure with your airline.

 

[mousemom11]

As long as your airline has a procedure for automatically transferring your luggage to US Pre-clearance. Otherwise you have to clear Canada customs to get your bags at the carousel and then go to pre-clear US customs and re-check your bag.

I'd confirm the procedure with your airline.

Thank you tiggerrr. I checked Air Canada's website and they do transfer your bags automatically.