Going through customs in and out of Vancouver?

[cruisehopeful]

Please share with me your experiences going through customs at the Vancouver airport. Of course, I've only heard bad stories and I am assuming that most people don't have any issues. Does it take a long time? We will be flying in from Seattle, with U.S. passports. Are there any tips/tricks to making it quicker or less dramatic?

Our return flight is at noon, but I am assuming since we will be starting in Vancouver, we would only go through customs when we arrive in Seattle and that it won't be a big deal since we are U.S. citizens.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Please share with me your experiences going through customs at the Vancouver airport. Of course, I've only heard bad stories and I am assuming that most people don't have any issues. Does it take a long time? We will be flying in from Seattle, with U.S. passports. Are there any tips/tricks to making it quicker or less dramatic?

Our return flight is at noon, but I am assuming since we will be starting in Vancouver, we would only go through customs when we arrive in Seattle and that it won't be a big deal since we are U.S. citizens.

Actually, you will go through Customs/immigration at Vancouver airport before you board your flight back to the US. We've not really had any issues, just, most of the time, there's been a horrendously huge line going through.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Actually, you will go through Customs/immigration at Vancouver airport before you board your flight back to the US. We've not really had any issues, just, most of the time, there's been a horrendously huge line going through.

Do you think I should look at changing my return flight? I think if we left the ship at 9am (worst case scenario) and got to the airport by 10am and the lines were really long, it may be difficult to get the noon flight. I assume I'll still have the regular long security lines, too.

 

[sharksfinatic17]

Do you think I should look at changing my return flight? I think if we left the ship at 9am (worst case scenario) and got to the airport by 10am and the lines were really long, it may be difficult to get the noon flight. I assume I'll still have the regular long security lines, too.

I would do a walk off. Keep your luggage with you. Last summer we were at the airport before 9 AM by doing this. We didn't check our bags, we did eat breakfast in our MDR, and then we walked off as soon as we were able. Quickly through customs at the port, in a taxi, and to the airport. Easy!

 

[sdjen]

We traveled in August and lucked out. When we landed about 9 pm on a Friday night it took about 15 minutes to get through the line. By the time we got out our baggage was there. After we got in line though two huge planes from Asia landed and the lines were a lot longer.

Coming back it was maybe 5 minutes to get through customs. It really just depends on how many others are there at the same time.

 

[tnshsms]

So we fly out at 12:50pm on Disembarkation Day (May 30th) from Vancouver and our layover stop is DFW. We will be taking the DCL bus to the airport. So if I understand everyone correctly, once I get to airport I will go through customs in Vancouver and won't have to go through customs in DFW? Correct? We only have a 90 min layover in DFW so I want to make sure.

Additionally, I assume the DCL buses run the same everywhere...we get on, wait for it to fill and then it will leave....so its not a scheduled time just a wait for the bus to fill situation?

 

[ShelsGoingToDisney]

We cruised DCL May 2014. We used the Skytrain to get to the airport instead of DCL transport and we actually beat the bus there! We had a 2:20 flight. We arrived at the airport about 10:45. DCL had some issues passing customs or whatever that morning so they couldn't release anyone. The lines at the airport were long for check-in and then again for customs. We got through and to our gate about 12:45 or so. Got some lunch at Burger King and then boarded the plane for the 2:20 departure. Flew through Denver and never had to go through customs there.

For me personally I would book anything before 2 based on our experience with the hold up in the morning. If that happened on your cruise there's no way you'll make a 12:00 flight even if you're the first off the ship.

 

[mab2012]

Are there any tips/tricks to making it quicker or less dramatic?

Nexus. If you travel out of the country regularly (not necessarily to Canada, since Nexus also gets you Global Entry for entrance into the US) it'll probably be the best $50 you've ever spent.

So if I understand everyone correctly, once I get to airport I will go through customs in Vancouver and won't have to go through customs in DFW? Correct?

Yes. All major Canadian airports have US pre-clearance.

 

[ohMom]

Global entry definitely makes international returns faster -- however, we were not prepared in Vancouver when they asked us for our cards. I thought the cards were just for car travel. Apparently because they did not have the kiosk, the card was the ticket. Just so you know, it's a $100 non-fundable application fee. Also, be sure you understand that you have to return to an interview site if you renew you passport during your years of your global entry. It gives you Precheck too for participating airlines...that alone has been worth it. But sailing through US customs is very handy

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/how-apply

 

[MunFam]

I agree with Global Entry. Best money I ever spent!

 

[bumbershoot]

Nexus. If you travel out of the country regularly (not necessarily to Canada, since Nexus also gets you Global Entry for entrance into the US) it'll probably be the best $50 you've ever spent.



Yes. All major Canadian airports have US pre-clearance.

Does Nexus still give you Global Entry? I remember trying to convince DH to just get Nexus b/c of that, back when he first started his job that involves traveling half the year, but he didn't believe me LOL. (he has since apologized)


Silly me, asking and then researching.

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/nexus/global-entry-kiosks

 

[The Grays]

For a good laugh go to you tube and search boarder crossing in Canada. It seems it was a tv show and shows people they caught crossing with some problems. I'm addicted it is so funny.

 

[mab2012]

Global entry definitely makes international returns faster -- however, we were not prepared in Vancouver when they asked us for our cards. I thought the cards were just for car travel. Apparently because they did not have the kiosk, the card was the ticket. Just so you know, it's a $100 non-fundable application fee. Also, be sure you understand that you have to return to an interview site if you renew you passport during your years of your global entry. It gives you Precheck too for participating airlines...that alone has been worth it. But sailing through US customs is very handy

http://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/how-apply

(Bolding mine.) $50 CAD (so ~USD 40 at current exchange rates) for Nexus, which includes Global Entry. BUT you do have to get to a NEXUS enrolment centre for the interview, which is probably not very convenient for most US travellers who are not frequent visitors to Canada. Most (maybe all?) NEXUS enrolment centres are in Canadian airports or along the land border. Also note that for NEXUS (probably true for GE too?), all members of your travelling party must have NEXUS in order to use it, including children.

 

[ohMom]

Ah, I stand corrected this is something I didn't know about! Ty!

 

[Jess_S]

I don't recall having any issues with customs in Vancouver, but this thread reminded me that airport security in Vancouver was the slowest I've ever experienced. They had a special line for people with children and would not let those of us with kids use any other line. As a result, approximately 50% of the passengers trying to get through security were stuck in one line and the other 50% had their choice of 4 or 5 lines. We were in line for at least 30 minutes -- maybe longer. (My brain has blocked most of the trauma, but I remember that my son who was 2.5 at the time got very upset because we had dumped out his juice before getting in the security line and the wait for new juice was very long).

 

[mab2012]

Ah, I stand corrected this is something I didn't know about! Ty!

No, nothing you said was incorrect. It's just kind of weird that Global Entry alone costs so much more than NEXUS! It makes NEXUS kind of a no-brainer, as long as the application process is workable (which for some, it's probably not).

 

[tnshsms]

We have TSA precheck but didn't go for Global Entry because the closest interview spot to us is 6 hours away.

 

[tnshsms]

We cruised DCL May 2014. We used the Skytrain to get to the airport instead of DCL transport and we actually beat the bus there! We had a 2:20 flight. We arrived at the airport about 10:45. DCL had some issues passing customs or whatever that morning so they couldn't release anyone. The lines at the airport were long for check-in and then again for customs. We got through and to our gate about 12:45 or so. Got some lunch at Burger King and then boarded the plane for the 2:20 departure. Flew through Denver and never had to go through customs there.
.

Yuck...well I guess I got to hope for the best....my only two options were 9am or 1:05 (which has now changed to 12:50, thanks AA). We couldn't stay an extra day thanks to the hubby's work schedule so we will have to take our chances I guess!

 

[bumbershoot]

They had a special line for people with children and would not let those of us with kids use any other line. As a result, approximately 50% of the passengers trying to get through security were stuck in one line and the other 50% had their choice of 4 or 5 lines.

That once happened to me and DS at TSA at MCO. SO frustrating. And then the guy insisting we go to the Families line flustered me soooo much that I dropped something on the ground, which totally negated the "we travel often and know what to do" explanation I was trying to give him.

No, nothing you said was incorrect. It's just kind of weird that Global Entry alone costs so much more than NEXUS! It makes NEXUS kind of a no-brainer, as long as the application process is workable (which for some, it's probably not).

That's exactly why DH rejected it. Seemed too good to be true.

 

[WendyDarling]

Yuck...well I guess I got to hope for the best....my only two options were 9am or 1:05 (which has now changed to 12:50, thanks AA). We couldn't stay an extra day thanks to the hubby's work schedule so we will have to take our chances I guess!

Are you flying to DFW on June 27th? That's the flight we're on and we've had a few changes since first booking last August on points. Hope it doesn't get bumped up any earlier!