Pre Clearance from Japan?
Feb 15, 2023, 8:02 pm
#2
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,690
Feb 16, 2023, 6:43 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
When I told them that it wasn't listed they said that government web sites are never updated. 
Feb 16, 2023, 5:03 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,690
Either the page is full of lies or "someone in CBP" is at odds with reality. I suspect the latter. You should continue pumping them for information, stock recommendations, racing tips, and the like. There's a chance that they're completely wrong about everything, which would make them very useful indeed.
Feb 16, 2023, 5:13 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,690
I assume the OP has a US passport or other document that allows them to clear immigration quickly on arrival in the US. In such cases, pre-clearance may be an unwelcome "hurry up and wait," process at the departure airport, with no appreciable benefit at the arrival airport.
Feb 16, 2023, 7:06 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 239
(Not the OP) I live in New York and so my first port of entry in the US (i.e. JFK or EWR) is always my final destination, i.e. I am never making an onward domestic connection.
Because of that, for me preclearance has no benefits. If I have to have a long wait at US immigration I'd rather do it upon arrival -- there's no possibility of missing any onward flight, whereas with preclearance if I don't allot enough time for immigration or if the processing is slow/delayed, there's the real possibility of missing a flight.
(Naturally, it's reversed if you are making an onward domestic connection. Preclearance then has clear benefits in that you don't have to pick up your bag at the first port of entry, and the connection time can be tighter and is more predictable without having to do passport control and customs. But as I said above, I'm never in this situation -- if I can't fly nonstop to NYC from my origin it means connecting at a large international hub abroad, not another airport in the US.)
Airports with preclearance also have to segregate US-bound passengers from all other international (and domestic) passengers, and this can lead to the gate area being small/cramped or without as many facilities, which I also don't love.
Because of that, for me preclearance has no benefits. If I have to have a long wait at US immigration I'd rather do it upon arrival -- there's no possibility of missing any onward flight, whereas with preclearance if I don't allot enough time for immigration or if the processing is slow/delayed, there's the real possibility of missing a flight.
(Naturally, it's reversed if you are making an onward domestic connection. Preclearance then has clear benefits in that you don't have to pick up your bag at the first port of entry, and the connection time can be tighter and is more predictable without having to do passport control and customs. But as I said above, I'm never in this situation -- if I can't fly nonstop to NYC from my origin it means connecting at a large international hub abroad, not another airport in the US.)
Airports with preclearance also have to segregate US-bound passengers from all other international (and domestic) passengers, and this can lead to the gate area being small/cramped or without as many facilities, which I also don't love.
Feb 16, 2023, 9:09 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Small town near RNO
Programs: Delta 1MM/PM, BAEC GGL, Asiana Diamond Plus(Lifetime), AC *Tangerine
Posts: 909
Even flying from a US Base on a USG plane won't get you Pre-Cleared. Same with going from a US Navy port on a ship. Even from a Coast Guard base is the same drill, that's in spite of the fact that all USCG commissioned, warrant and petty officers are legally Customs Agents. Unless you are coming from a Pre-Clearance site, essentially airports only, you'll need to clear CBP. Depending on where/when/how you're coming in it can be just a quick couple of questions or the full monte.
Feb 17, 2023, 12:13 am
#11
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: Delta Gold 1MM, JAL JGC Diamond, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 398
DHS explored expanding preclearance with Japan way back in 2015
https://www.dhs.gov/news/2015/05/29/...0-new-airports
But it seems nothing came out of it
https://www.dhs.gov/news/2015/05/29/...0-new-airports
But it seems nothing came out of it
Feb 17, 2023, 12:21 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL, OZ, AC, AS, AA, BA, Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 20,212
(Not the OP) I live in New York and so my first port of entry in the US (i.e. JFK or EWR) is always my final destination, i.e. I am never making an onward domestic connection.
Because of that, for me preclearance has no benefits. If I have to have a long wait at US immigration I'd rather do it upon arrival -- there's no possibility of missing any onward flight, whereas with preclearance if I don't allot enough time for immigration or if the processing is slow/delayed, there's the real possibility of missing a flight.
(Naturally, it's reversed if you are making an onward domestic connection. Preclearance then has clear benefits in that you don't have to pick up your bag at the first port of entry, and the connection time can be tighter and is more predictable without having to do passport control and customs. But as I said above, I'm never in this situation -- if I can't fly nonstop to NYC from my origin it means connecting at a large international hub abroad, not another airport in the US.)
Airports with preclearance also have to segregate US-bound passengers from all other international (and domestic) passengers, and this can lead to the gate area being small/cramped or without as many facilities, which I also don't love.
Because of that, for me preclearance has no benefits. If I have to have a long wait at US immigration I'd rather do it upon arrival -- there's no possibility of missing any onward flight, whereas with preclearance if I don't allot enough time for immigration or if the processing is slow/delayed, there's the real possibility of missing a flight.
(Naturally, it's reversed if you are making an onward domestic connection. Preclearance then has clear benefits in that you don't have to pick up your bag at the first port of entry, and the connection time can be tighter and is more predictable without having to do passport control and customs. But as I said above, I'm never in this situation -- if I can't fly nonstop to NYC from my origin it means connecting at a large international hub abroad, not another airport in the US.)
Airports with preclearance also have to segregate US-bound passengers from all other international (and domestic) passengers, and this can lead to the gate area being small/cramped or without as many facilities, which I also don't love.
Feb 17, 2023, 6:29 am
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 54
(Not the OP)
(Naturally, it's reversed if you are making an onward domestic connection. Preclearance then has clear benefits in that you don't have to pick up your bag at the first port of entry, and the connection time can be tighter and is more predictable without having to do passport control and customs. But as I said above, I'm never in this situation -- if I can't fly nonstop to NYC from my origin it means connecting at a large international hub abroad, not another airport in the US.)
(Naturally, it's reversed if you are making an onward domestic connection. Preclearance then has clear benefits in that you don't have to pick up your bag at the first port of entry, and the connection time can be tighter and is more predictable without having to do passport control and customs. But as I said above, I'm never in this situation -- if I can't fly nonstop to NYC from my origin it means connecting at a large international hub abroad, not another airport in the US.)
Feb 17, 2023, 9:36 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
As other posters have observed, and in addition to having GE entering the USA generally takes less than 2 minutes and there's hardly ever a line--these days, just take pic, and exit. Regarding transfers, I rarely have to after return from SE Asia; and, even if I did, having Clear makes this very quick & easy.
So, while I appreciate in your case pre-clearance would be beneficial, it only needlessly inconveniences me, diminishes the airport experience, and all the while increasing the risk of missing a long haul flight, which unlike domestic flights where I could easily change or replace, usually absent of any fees.
So, yeah, after my first and hopefully last pre-clearance experience leaving DUB, I'm determined to never go through this process again, ever.
Seriously, right?! Having to leave the comfort of the JL F lounge only to get in line for what I'd imagine to be at least 60 minutes, and then be rewarded by roaming around a mini-terminal for all US bound pax. Ah, no thanks!
So, while I appreciate in your case pre-clearance would be beneficial, it only needlessly inconveniences me, diminishes the airport experience, and all the while increasing the risk of missing a long haul flight, which unlike domestic flights where I could easily change or replace, usually absent of any fees.
So, yeah, after my first and hopefully last pre-clearance experience leaving DUB, I'm determined to never go through this process again, ever.
Seriously, right?! Having to leave the comfort of the JL F lounge only to get in line for what I'd imagine to be at least 60 minutes, and then be rewarded by roaming around a mini-terminal for all US bound pax. Ah, no thanks!
Last edited by Visconti; Feb 17, 2023 at 9:58 am Reason: added PS...