BOISJC744

I have a question for anyone familiar with Nassau airport. Would it be possible to deplane from an ex-USA flight and remain in the US customs sterile area? In other words, are you directed immediately into customs/immigration once stepping off of the plane like in the US, or are you allowed airside once deplaning.

GregL

My experience in both Nassau and Freeport is that you are directed into customs & immigration directly.

Having said that, I don't know if it might be possible otherwise.

Greg

Richard Chen

I've a slightly related question also about the thread's title: does the US preclearance @ NAS have a Global Entry kiosk?

melvin

No it does not.

alexb133

Your directed into the customs area automatically, and cannot remain in the US pre-clearance area... Similar to Canada.. When you land from the states, you aren't allowed to enter the US preclearance area.. Instead you must go to Canada Customs

mauld

Is there a Duty Free area in NAS ? I know I clear US immigration there, but will I be able to buy any liquor/cosmetics etc at discounted prices prior to my flight back to the US? I do know that there are duty free stores in Nassau, but I will only have carry on.

melvin

yes there is a duty free area in Nassau.

inagaddadavida

My wife and I are headed to Nassau/Paradise Island for a few days next month. I have read several places online that recommend arriving at the airport 3 hours ahead of time for departures to the US due to the long lines for security and US customs/immigration preclearance. I was hoping some of you might have had firsthand experience and would be able to tell me whether that 3 hours is accurate, or is excessive (as I am inclined to believe).

ps, if it matters we are departing on the DL flight to LGA around 3:15pm on a tuesday.

melvin

Two hours is sufficient... once on US Immigration/Custom line one hour Thirty mins prior to your flight.

inagaddadavida

thanks melvin

inagaddadavida

I will share my experience for anyone who may be interested in the future. We arrived approximately 2.5 hours prior to our flight. When i checked in online the DL website told me that 120 minutes was the minimum check in time, so I was extra concerned after seeing that warning.

However, when we arrived at the airport, the US departure terminal was quite dead, and we were through Customs/Immigration, and security in less than 30 minutes from the time we walked through the airport door. This included a bathroom break, and some confusion about where to get our customs form (have to see an agent, rather than just use the kiosk). There was zero line for either security or immigration. I suppose it could be worse at other times/season, but the 2 hour minimum really seemed like a joke. Thankfully our priority pass got us into the Graycliff lounge for a couple Bahama Mamas to cap off our trip.

mauld

Thanks for your post inagaddadavida, I'll be down in NAS next week for a quick trip and was concerned about the 3 hr time as well. We won't have anything to declare (aside from a bottle or 2 of duty free liquor purchased at the airport), and just carry on luggage. We'll be flying back next Monday around noon on UA. Hubby is NOT the most patient man, and would not want to hang around the airport any longer than necessary

JDiver

USA Departures

Lounge Name: Graycliff Divans lounge
Location: Airside, after gate C-41 in USA Departures area
Telephone: 001 242 302 9192
Hours Open: 06:00 - 22:00 daily
Access: Priority Pass, Diners Club, daily pass ($25)
Guest fee: $25 guest fee; children under 12 admitted free.
Amenities: Air conditioning, disabled access, newspapers, television, complimentary Wi-Fi, snacks, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages; $10 food voucher.

BUT NOTE The lounge accommodates non-smokers and smokers - there is a sun deck for smokers and a $15 access smoking lounge. The entire 5,600 sq ft area is air conditioned and there is complimentary WiFi and "a complimentary drink from the bar" ($10 meal voucher upon admission).

"The lounge has a Graycliff Boutique that offers Graycliff Cigars, cigarettes, Graycliff Coffee and Chocolates and various gift items. A Graycliff Boutique offers Graycliff Cigars, cigarettes, Graycliff Coffee and Chocolates and various gift items." (The lounge is actually accessed through the Graycliff Boutique - the store operator collects fees, etc.)



Terminal 1 (Non-USA flights)

Lounge Name: Arawak Lounge by Graycliff
Location: Airside, adjacent to pre-flight holding room
Telephone: 001 242 377 1095 / Fax: 001 242 326 6188
Hours Open: Sun, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat. 10:30 - 22:30; Mon & Thu 10:30 - 15:00
Access: International flights passengers only. Dress code applies. Diners Club, Airport Angel.
Guest fees: $25, children under 2 admitted free when accompanying an adult.


I'll update early March 2013...

JDiver

NOTE: Immediately following the sequestration announcement, as of Friday March 1, it seems the USCBP has stopped paying overtime which has resulted in an effective staffing cut in many locations. It appears NAS is one of these locations - we had virtually no queues at the airline check in counter for American Eagle, short efficient queue to process security to to get airside, but then experienced a 30 minute long, lengthy queue to process USCBP. More staff arrived at 9:00 AM and things began moving a bit more rapidly, but this was on a day and time when outgoing traffic is light - so be aware and leave yourself plenty of time in the airport. (And, NO, there is no provision for Global Entry nor any kind of a priority queue.)

We spent a bit of time in the Graycliff Divans lounge, but honestly consider this a most unnecessary expense - the lounge is nice, but service is bare bones and by request only. The gate lounges (and lavs) are clean and not uncomfortable.

eloraculo

How long does it take to do immigration and customs(no Bags) in Nassau, then go to the US Departures terminal and do the US customs and Immigration?