Hello Canadian Friends, Pre-Clearance Question

[Banzai]

Hello,

I am looking to fly from YVR (Vancouver, BC,) to PIT, (Pittsburgh, PA,) via Toronto.

I've never flown back into America with a layover in Canada, only Toronto to Pittsburgh though Philly. Would I do border clearance in Vancouver, or would I have to do it in Toronto?

Thanks,
Brad

 

[PurpleEars]

You will need to clear customs in Toronto as the first leg of the flight is domestic. You will probably need to pick up and recheck your bag
(unless they have the new set up in Toronto like they had at Vancouver where you just need to confirm the luggage on their screen is yours).

I hope you will have sufficient time between the connections. Somehow everytime we connect through Pearson, we ended up running from one gate to the next to catch our connection!

 

[Polydweller]

PurpleEars is right, you will have to clear US customs in Toronto. Once you clear customs your are considered to be in the US even though still physically in Canada. So custom clearance can only be done on the transborder leg of your trip.

 

[tania7424]

Not sure if you've left yet, but, Pearson. DH and I flew YVR to YYZ (16 hr layover) to IAH to Cancun on our honeymoon. Way to go Air Canada! It's nothing like clearing at YVR though. Our luggage was already checked at the counter, whereas I know that when I've cleared at YVR my luggage is slightly ahead of me for inspection by TSA. We just walked past a booth, they scanned our passports and stamped them. No questions, even.