Is customs done at port of entry or destination?
Mar 30, 2015 | 7:14 pm
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
I'm not aware of any other country other than the USA that has true pre-clearance on foreign soil, however one might argue Europe has a version of this. When I flew YUL -> GVA -> BCN I cleared "European Immigration" at Geneva and did not do so again in Barcelona (I didn't leave GVA). So in effect I had cleared immigration for Spain before flying onto their soil.
I cleared customs in Spain.
I cleared customs in Spain.
Mar 30, 2015 | 9:27 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 1999
Programs: FB PLT again afater a decade as plebian
Posts: 22,946
Mar 31, 2015 | 8:40 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Posts: 10,986
I was in Ottawa (YOW) last month. It was amusing hearing the US official say to me "welcome back to the United States" when I had still not left the Ottawa airport.
Speaking of Duty Free, flying to Ottawa I connected in Detroit. The flight to YOW was cancelled and we all had to overnight in Detroit. Those who had gone duty free shopping in Detroit were told they would have to return everything to the store for a refund and then, if they still wanted it, purchase it again tomorrow.
Speaking of Duty Free, flying to Ottawa I connected in Detroit. The flight to YOW was cancelled and we all had to overnight in Detroit. Those who had gone duty free shopping in Detroit were told they would have to return everything to the store for a refund and then, if they still wanted it, purchase it again tomorrow.
Mar 31, 2015 | 9:46 am
#19
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YQR
Programs: NEXUS; alas, no status anymore.
Posts: 1,181
Ask me in a couple of months - I've got tickets London St. Pancras-Paris Gare du Nord for late May. I understand we clear Schengen/French Customs at St. Pancras though.
Apr 2, 2015 | 10:17 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DAY/CMH
Programs: UA MileagePlus
Posts: 2,474
They did the last time I boarded there, August 2013. It was one of the two places where my wife encountered rudeness in Paris -- from the British customs agent. 
(The other place was in an RER station where a German woman snapped at her at a turnstyle.)
(The other place was in an RER station where a German woman snapped at her at a turnstyle.)
Apr 2, 2015 | 3:11 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YEG - No Particular Loyalty Anymore
Posts: 3,610
Schengen area. Almost all EU countries (UK excepted) plus Switzerland and Liechtenstein are in the Schengen area. You clear customs and immigration entering the Schengen area in general, and are free to travel to other Schengen countries once you're in.
It's different. I rather like it.
It's different. I rather like it.