I will be flying into Montreal from ATL and this is my first international flight. I have only ever drove across the border before.

I am not sure what to expect with customs and have heard it is a long process. How long does it generally take and what exactly is the process- do I get my luggage and bring it with me to go thru or get it afterwards?

I also wonder what it is like upon return to ATL and do I need to arrive earlier than usual for this international flight?

I am looking forward to this being the first of many international flights.

Many thanks!

Hi...I just did what you did for the second time last month (my first time was in '08).

Time to get thru customs is TOTALLY dependent on how many int'l flights happen to be arriving at roughly the same time as your flight. My first time in '08, I happened to hit it as the only flight at the time; I was thru in less than 5 minutes. This time, there were multiple flights and the queue was about 200 people deep (which is not bad...there is room for MANY HUNDREDS more in the customs hall); took about 40 minutes. It's a LONG walk from the arrival gates to the customs hall...if you are able to walk briskly, when you reach a point in the hallway where you can do so, walk PAST the slower walkers...the more people you can bypass, the shorter your wait will be to see a customs officer.

The officer will ask you how long you intend to be staying in Canada and the objective of your trip, where you will be staying, and possibly what you will be bringing in with you, etc. Depending on your answers to the initial questions there may be more follow-up questions, but it's quite straightforward...be honest, friendly, and businesslike and you'll have no problems.

You will pass thru customs before you retrieve your checked baggage. From the customs hall you will then go down one level to baggage claim. Int'l baggage delivery CAN be slow at YUL; last month even after the 40 minute queue my bags were not out yet when I got to the claim.

Upon exiting the baggage area, you will hand in your Canadian entry form to another officer stationed at the exit, and then you're on your way. If you are considering the 747 Express Bus to downtown Montreal, this is where you will get your ticket...at the currency exchange counter just after you exit the baggage area. There are one or two good threads here on this forum with details on this new bus service.

For your return to the States, yes, arrive early. You will fill out an I-94 form for re-entry which you must present along with your passport to a US customs officer. Again depending on timing, you might get through within minutes, or it might take MUCH longer...allow for the longer extreme and just bring plenty of reading material with you in case you get through fast and end up waiting around for 2 hours. For re-entry back to the States (which occurs at YUL...when you disembark from your flight at ATL you are domestic at that point), you may be interviewed briefly by an officer while in the queue, and then the more detailed screening at the officer station. US customs officers are necessarily paranoid what with conditions these days, so be prepared to be viewed suspiciously even if (though) you likely have nothing to hide...again, just answer truthfully, in a friendly but businesslike way, and you'll be fine. (I traveled and toured Montreal as a solo traveler and the customs officers were all suspicious that I was traveling alone and didn't "know" anyone; I just stuck to my honest story and eventually got through after a few extra questions.) Once you've passed through US customs, you'll be in the int'l departure area; there's a Duty Free store immediately past customs, and then past that the usual complement of newsstands, food vendors, etc...either of these options is a good place to dump the remainder of your Canadian currency. Spend ALL of your change if you can (even if you have to count out all you've accumulated...darn those loonies ($1 coins) and twonies ($2 coins) anyway); most currency exchanges on either side of the border will only exchange paper currency.

It's not clear from your post if your purpose in Montreal is business or pleasure, but in any case have a GREAT time...Montreal is a true treasure. Tour well, and eat well...get off the beaten path and explore more of the city than just the typical tourist sites - you will be well rewarded.

Thank you thank you for the response!!

Although having been to Montreal many times, I have not been in a few years and there is so many secrets the city still holds for me! I have loved Montreal and try to seek out new experiences each time.

This trip is business and pleasure. I also learned the Jazz Festival will be happening the same time and am thrilled!

Do you know of any great places to eat near the convention center?

drat19 -- one tiny flaw in an otherwise very helpful post. The I-94 (white) is for people travelling on a visa, or the I-94W (green) for those from a visa waiver country. US and Cdn citizens must complete only the blue declaration card prior to US DHS clearance.
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13F

Thx for the clarification, 13F (and the OP also thanks you, I'm sure). I was rambling my experience from memory...we do what we can. :-)

I'm going to defer to the locals for the eating info near the Conv Center (as well as the other threads here on this forum). I will, however, tell you that you MUST get some Montreal Smoked Meat while you're in town (it's Montreal's cross between pastrami and corned beef...a flavor/texture all its own). There are endless debates about whose Smoked Meat is best; Schwartz's is the most famous (and you'll most likely have to queue up to get in), but The Main and Dunn's are also almost, or just as, good, with less chaos to get in to either establishment.

Yes I thank you too, lol!!

Been to Schwartz's and Dunns many times- dying for some poutine, too!! Darn- now I am hungry!

The CBSA at YUL tends to be less friendlier than other ports of entry (specifically YYZ). If your DL flight arrives at the same time as an AF flight from CDG and the LH flight from FRA... You'll be waiting quite a bit..

US Preclarance is usually fast, but it can get busy..