CO.com states that from 1/18, CBP will be conducting US immigration preclearance from DUB. How does this work ? Do UK nationals, for example, go through the same procedure that would take place normally at port of entry (EWR) and then step off the aircraft as a domestic traveller ? Do the aircraft arrive at a domestic terminal at EWR and do travellers need to go through security before connecting to a domestic flight ?

Any insight into how this works would be much appreciated - thanks in advance.

I wouldn't say it's exactly the 'fun' experience one gets in Newark when having to clear customs, but 'legally' yes, it's the same procedure.

You would land at a domestic "gate" (Terminal C in EWR is both domestic and international) airside. You would not need to go through security again, unless your luggage isn't tagged through (this part I'm not sure about). But you need not pass through customs again in Newark.

Yes, UK nationals will go through the same procedure. Not a big deal because their country is part of the Visa Waiver Program. The aircraft will arrive as a "domestic" in EWR.

In other words, pre-clearance is just that - once you've gone through it in DUB, you can pretend that you're "in the US" already. (Of course you're not 100%... but I&C related you are.)

I really dislike this pre-clearance stuff. I'm not aware that any of these locations have Global Entry lines. (Technically Canadian ones have Nexus, but that's a pain because you have to have a separate Canadian interview/app --> you should be allowed to use GE coming back to the US).

I thought this was a hybrid sort of preclearance. It's customs preclearance, but not agricultural preclearance. So you get the blue form stamped in DUB, but carry it on the plane, and you still have to go through ag and security in the US.

At least that's how DUB-JFK works.

It used to be like that. Full preclearance opened in Ireland like the Carib and Canada.

I have heard rumour that it might not be open to cover all flights, thus one or two might still have to clear in the US? Anyone know?

Ciao,
FH

I believe that Dublin pre-clearance is now the same as Shannon Airport. At Shannon you go through regular Shannon airport security and then you enter the pre-clearance area and go through US style security (without the yelling) - shoes off, etc. Next you come to the CBP booths, where they do the immigration check and also show you a CCTV picture of bags and do the customs check. At this point they can secondary your luggage and have it sent to another area if they decided it is necessary. Also, they ask about food, etc., and can send you to the agriculture inspector who is also there. (We got nailed by them here a while ago for having bacon sandwiches for the flight as they consider when you go through all this pre-clearance you are in the US even though you are in Ireland, and so cannot bring bacon in with you).

After all this you go to the Gate area to board your flight, and arrive in EWR at a domestic Gate. No further security checks at EWR.

Note that CDP also has a beagle and handler wandering around the lines to the CDP booths and they also wander around the Gate area while you are waiting to board the flight at Shannon. They seem paranoid about people having their own food.

The whole procedure is a little more invasive than at EWR just because they are doing all this for only one flight , but it sure saves time at EWR, but costs you time at Shannon as the whole check-in/clearance procedure takes longer.

Yes, the former pre-inspection facility at DUB has now been upgraded to a full CBP pre-clearance facility (but only for commercial flights) similar to the one they've had in SNN since late summer 2009.

(Unlike DUB, the SNN facility is also able to pre-clear US-bound private aircraft.)

(And for the trivia buffs among us, CO25 SNN-EWR was the first US flight cleared at the new SNN facility in Aug. '09)

When EI move over fully, all flights departing during it's opening hours will use it (unlike the previous set up which was capacity limited)

Also, if you want to purchase duty free, do make sure you get that BEFORE you enter the CBP area - once you're in, there's no way out except by air.

The refreshment offerings are also extremely limited. I was stuck there for five hours in a pre-Christmas snow event, with the pax from several other delayed flights - not fun!

Canadian pre-clearance areas now treat GE as crew. Basically, you do what we NEXUS holders do when the machines are down - walk over to the dedicated crew lane (next to the kiosks) and get expedited processing. No need to stand in line. Been that way since the first of the year.

AFAIK, you also get front of the line at any CBP facility that doesn't have GE kiosks. You show the sticker and up you go - probably also to the crew line.

Interesting. Cite?

CBP Supervisor at YYZ.

That is the way it is supposed to work anyway, as GE holders are supposed to get FOL at all international gateways without GE kiosks.

That and $5 will get you a coffee at Tim's.
That is not generally agreed upon. The CBP has inconsistent rules.

The CBP website and program guide are generally clear in that the GE benefits only apply at airport locations with the GE kiosk. If there is something other than that, they need to post it otherwise its probably just a one-off thing.