U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Tuesday opened its Preclearance program for new applications for the first time since 2016, the agency announced.
Preclearance allows airports outside of the United States to set up customs and immigration checks of travelers prior to departure so the travelers can skip customs and immigration lines upon arrival in the United States. Airport eligibility requirements include suitable facilities for processing, sharing costs with the U.S. government and bilateral agreements between the United States and the government of the airport's country.
Current Preclearance participants include nine airports in Canada, Dublin and Shannon airports in Ireland, Abu Dhabi International Airport, Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba, L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda and Freeport and Nassau airports in the Bahamas.