YVR: International-US Connection
Jan 4, 2015 | 9:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 4
YVR: International-US Connection
In June, I will be traveling with AF CDG-YVR and have a connection afterwards to PDX with AC Express Jazz. Both sectors are ticked under one itinerary. Browsed through the YVR web page for Int'l->US connection and found the following:
So based on the information provided, the option to skip CBSA and head straight to US pre-clearance is a thing of the past and no longer available? When did they change this formality? This means when those Canadian Custom forms are distributed onboard by AF, I not only have to fill them out, but upon arrival, I am required to "officially" enter Canada, exit to "landside" and then go through the same process the same way someone originating in YVR traveling to the US would do?
Would this mean AF at CDG will only issue my boarding pass and check my bags only to YVR and I have to re-check them with AC and obtain the new BP after exiting CBSA?
I land into YVR from CDG at 11:50 and the connection to PDX leaves at 14:05. With 2h 15min, am I pretty much safe or screwed? How busy is YVR immigration for international arrivals getting in at 11:50?
Arrive at YVR
Most passengers will have their luggage checked-through to their final destination, so you will not claim your checked-bags at YVR.
Please ensure you have a boarding pass and baggage claim tags for your connecting flight. if you do not, contact your airline for instructions, you may have to check-in again.
Proceed to Canada Border Services
Follow Canada Arrivals signs to Canada Border Services.
Proceed down elevators, escalators or stairs to Arrivals Level 2, to Canada Border Services area.
Canada Border Services
For passport inspection, wait in designated areas for next available Canada Border Services officer.
CANPASS Air and NEXUS Air members can utilize the self-service kiosks.
See the Customs & Immigration section for details on required documentation and forms.
Claim Baggage
Baggage can be claimed immediately following the Canada Border Services processes.
Check the information display screens to confirm your baggage carousel.
Find the numbered baggage carousel corresponding to your flight.
You may want to check with your airline at the baggage inquiry counter if your bags have been checked through to your final destination. If this is the case, you will not need to claim your bags at YVR.
Free baggage carts are located in the baggage claim area.
Hand your declaration card to the Canada Border Services officer on your way out.
International Reception Lounge
Proceed out of baggage claim area with your checked baggage.
All passengers enter the International Reception Lounge area.
You may choose to access services in this area including tourism information and transportation or choose to proceed through the exit to the public greeting area.
Public Greeting Area
Follow the exit sign to proceed through automatic glass doors to public greeting area.
Proceed to U.S. Departures.
Take elevator or escalator up to International Terminal, U.S. Departures Level 3.
Follow the signs to U.S. Check-in.
Check-in
At YVR, most passengers travelling to the United States will undergo the entry process in Vancouver, rather than their destination airport, so you must complete your U.S. declaration form prior to check-in.
Proceed to your airlines designated check-in counters or kiosks.
Baggage Drop-Off
If you dont have any checked baggage, follow the signs and proceed to the security checkpoint.
If you do have checked baggage, proceed to the baggage drop-off area.
Have your paper or electronic boarding pass ready to produce and drop-off your bags on the baggage belts designated for regular and oversized baggage.
Security Checkpoint
Proceed to the security checkpoint.
For information on the pre-board screening process including packing tips and a list of permitted and non-permitted items, see the Security section.
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Have your U.S. Customs declaration form ready to present along with required travel documents.
See the Customs & Immigration section for details on required documentation and forms.
Once you have cleared U.S. Customs & Border Protection, you are considered a U.S. domestic passenger and will not be able to return to the public areas of the airport.
Find Your Gate
Follow the signs to your designated boarding gate. Confirm your assigned gate and time for boarding on the information display screens.
Most passengers will have their luggage checked-through to their final destination, so you will not claim your checked-bags at YVR.
Please ensure you have a boarding pass and baggage claim tags for your connecting flight. if you do not, contact your airline for instructions, you may have to check-in again.
Proceed to Canada Border Services
Follow Canada Arrivals signs to Canada Border Services.
Proceed down elevators, escalators or stairs to Arrivals Level 2, to Canada Border Services area.
Canada Border Services
For passport inspection, wait in designated areas for next available Canada Border Services officer.
CANPASS Air and NEXUS Air members can utilize the self-service kiosks.
See the Customs & Immigration section for details on required documentation and forms.
Claim Baggage
Baggage can be claimed immediately following the Canada Border Services processes.
Check the information display screens to confirm your baggage carousel.
Find the numbered baggage carousel corresponding to your flight.
You may want to check with your airline at the baggage inquiry counter if your bags have been checked through to your final destination. If this is the case, you will not need to claim your bags at YVR.
Free baggage carts are located in the baggage claim area.
Hand your declaration card to the Canada Border Services officer on your way out.
International Reception Lounge
Proceed out of baggage claim area with your checked baggage.
All passengers enter the International Reception Lounge area.
You may choose to access services in this area including tourism information and transportation or choose to proceed through the exit to the public greeting area.
Public Greeting Area
Follow the exit sign to proceed through automatic glass doors to public greeting area.
Proceed to U.S. Departures.
Take elevator or escalator up to International Terminal, U.S. Departures Level 3.
Follow the signs to U.S. Check-in.
Check-in
At YVR, most passengers travelling to the United States will undergo the entry process in Vancouver, rather than their destination airport, so you must complete your U.S. declaration form prior to check-in.
Proceed to your airlines designated check-in counters or kiosks.
Baggage Drop-Off
If you dont have any checked baggage, follow the signs and proceed to the security checkpoint.
If you do have checked baggage, proceed to the baggage drop-off area.
Have your paper or electronic boarding pass ready to produce and drop-off your bags on the baggage belts designated for regular and oversized baggage.
Security Checkpoint
Proceed to the security checkpoint.
For information on the pre-board screening process including packing tips and a list of permitted and non-permitted items, see the Security section.
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
Have your U.S. Customs declaration form ready to present along with required travel documents.
See the Customs & Immigration section for details on required documentation and forms.
Once you have cleared U.S. Customs & Border Protection, you are considered a U.S. domestic passenger and will not be able to return to the public areas of the airport.
Find Your Gate
Follow the signs to your designated boarding gate. Confirm your assigned gate and time for boarding on the information display screens.
Would this mean AF at CDG will only issue my boarding pass and check my bags only to YVR and I have to re-check them with AC and obtain the new BP after exiting CBSA?
I land into YVR from CDG at 11:50 and the connection to PDX leaves at 14:05. With 2h 15min, am I pretty much safe or screwed? How busy is YVR immigration for international arrivals getting in at 11:50?
Jan 4, 2015 | 9:27 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA*1K
Posts: 289
In June, I will be traveling with AF CDG-YVR and have a connection afterwards to PDX with AC Express Jazz. Both sectors are ticked under one itinerary. Browsed through the YVR web page for Int'l->US connection and found the following:
So based on the information provided, the option to skip CBSA and head straight to US pre-clearance is a thing of the past and no longer available? When did they change this formality? This means when those Canadian Custom forms are distributed onboard by AF, I not only have to fill them out, but upon arrival, I am required to "officially" enter Canada, exit to "landside" and then go through the same process the same way someone originating in YVR traveling to the US would do?
Would this mean AF at CDG will only issue my boarding pass and check my bags only to YVR and I have to re-check them with AC and obtain the new BP after exiting CBSA?
I land into YVR from CDG at 11:50 and the connection to PDX leaves at 14:05. With 2h 15min, am I pretty much safe or screwed? How busy is YVR immigration for international arrivals getting in at 11:50?
So based on the information provided, the option to skip CBSA and head straight to US pre-clearance is a thing of the past and no longer available? When did they change this formality? This means when those Canadian Custom forms are distributed onboard by AF, I not only have to fill them out, but upon arrival, I am required to "officially" enter Canada, exit to "landside" and then go through the same process the same way someone originating in YVR traveling to the US would do?
Would this mean AF at CDG will only issue my boarding pass and check my bags only to YVR and I have to re-check them with AC and obtain the new BP after exiting CBSA?
I land into YVR from CDG at 11:50 and the connection to PDX leaves at 14:05. With 2h 15min, am I pretty much safe or screwed? How busy is YVR immigration for international arrivals getting in at 11:50?
You'll deplane your AF flight and simply follow the signs with the American flag. If you find yourself going down a set of escalators to a very large queue, turn around and go back upstairs. You'll want to find a small kiosk manned by a YVR employee.
You'll go down an elevator or set of stairs to a US-connection-specific CATSA security checkpoint. You'll re-clear security then your onwards boarding pass will be requested by another YVR employee. They'll verify whether or not any checked baggage has already been photographed (a prerequisite for clearing US customs/immigration).
You'll then line up to clear US customs/immigration (without the ability to use any automated kiosks nor NEXUS/Global Entry) and find yourself in the E gates area without ever having to interact with Canadian customs/immigration.
Last edited by sinalet; Jan 4, 2015 at 9:48 pm
Jan 4, 2015 | 9:34 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ, SFO
Programs: AS 100K, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond | Formerly: AC Super Elite
Posts: 2,545
If it makes you feel any better, I'd much rather clear US formalities from the check-in area than airside. I've been F'ed by YVR the last three times doing airside connection to USA ...
Oct 18, 2015 | 9:44 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K ex-GS(NL) 2.4MM, WN A, Bonvoy Ambassador, IHG Diamond, HH Gold, BW Diamond Select!, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,846
Went through this morning, and lo and behold, there was a row of 6 GE kiosks, which I was told would be active by next week!