Connection in Toronto to the USA
 

On a flight from Hong Kong to Toronto (CX) and a connection to the USA (AA) what is the immigration procedure? Do you just have to clear the US immigration and customs in Canada? Any dealing with Canada immigration or customs?

Yes you do clear US customs.

And in T3 (CX/AA) you currently have to clear Canadian immigration as well though it is mooted that this will change some time this year so that you will be able to skip the Canadian part in the same way that you already can in T1.

what about luggage, does it have to be picked up in Toronto like it does in the US when arriving on an international flight with a domestic connection?

Yes, exactly the same for int'l connections other than to US; after immigration check, pick up bags and go through customs inspection, then drop off after customs unless connecting to US, in which case take upstairs to departures and do US immigration and customs, then drop bag. A bit of a long walk as int'l arrivals is at the opposite end of the terminal from US departures. Much more convenient at YVR, for example, or in YYZ T1, but with CX/AA you are stuck with T3 (which is privately owned for profit terminal, and seems determined to maximize walking by pax).

While you will certainly need to pick up bags when transiting in YYZ to US, I don't believe this is the procedure for other international connections. If returning on the opposite route, bags should be transferred automatically to international destination. You should only have to pick up bags in YYZ if terminating in Canada or the US - at least, that's been the way in T1 for at least some years now.

wow so let me get this straight. please confirm

1) Enter Canada by going thru' immigration
2) Pick up bags and clear Canadian customs
3) Clear US immigration holding the bags
4) Clear US customs
5) Drop off bags

is this correct?

100% correct. However, when you arrive in the USA you just pick up your bags and hit the road.

T1 has sterile int'l transit, T3 does not -- hence the difference in procedures, despite being the same airport. Very confusing when it varies by airline. T3 is changing to a new procedure this year, but nobody has confirmed whether it is sterile transit or merely priority immigration line (in any case an improvement!). For airlines using T3 (Oneworld and Skyteam) YYZ is a hassle compared to other airports or flying on Star (which is in T1).

I'm in need of info for the opposite way of travel. Coming from US through YYZ and on to HKG.

Initial travel is AA transferring to CX F.

TIA for any and all info you can provide.

You have to clear only Canadian immigration ( very easy and simple process) and I believe your bag will be tagged all the way to HKG so you don't need to pick it up.

Thanks. That's what I had hoped for, but wasn't expecting. I'll see if anyone else corroborates this.

I don't think this is correct.

I did BOS-YYZ-HKG last week. I had to pick-up and recheck my bag in YYZ even though AA in Boston tagged my bag through to HKG

The bag will be tagged to HKG, yes, but you do need to pick it up.

Coming in from US, you need to pick up your bags at the belt in YYZ after clearing immigration, and then you need to drop them off again at the transfer belt before exiting out into the terminal arrivals hall.

If for some reason you carry it out to the terminal, it's no big deal. Just take it back upstairs to the CX checkin and they'll take it off your hands there, and attach an F priority tag for you.

But, if you're arriving early before CX checkin desks open, then definitely pass it off to the transfer belt before exiting arrivals.

Excellent. I appreciate the info. Arrival is 3 hrs before CX F departure so I'm guessing CX staff will be at the counter to affix the priority tags by the time my family arrives there. No CX F for me at the moment.