Where exactly is US customs in DUB preclearance?
Jun 22, 2022, 10:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 26
Where exactly is US customs in DUB preclearance?
I was flying from the UK to Chicago, connecting in Dublin. I went through US preclearance in Dublin before the flight to Chicago. I did not have to collect my luggage in Dublin (it was checked through from LHR to ORD).
I don't recall seeing US customs anywhere in DUB. US passport control was obvious, with an agent who looked a my passport, but I don't remember going through a "nothing to declare" gate or seeing a "declare" gate, and in any case, I didn't have my checked luggage with me. Then in ORD, arrival and baggage claim was like any domestic flight.
Can someone detail how this works? Where did I go through US customs? Had I had something to declare, where would I have done so?
I don't recall seeing US customs anywhere in DUB. US passport control was obvious, with an agent who looked a my passport, but I don't remember going through a "nothing to declare" gate or seeing a "declare" gate, and in any case, I didn't have my checked luggage with me. Then in ORD, arrival and baggage claim was like any domestic flight.
Can someone detail how this works? Where did I go through US customs? Had I had something to declare, where would I have done so?
Jun 22, 2022, 12:29 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
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Customs was done at the same time as immigration with the US CBP agent. If you had something to declare you would have declared it to that agent. Didn't you have to fill in a US customs form?
Jun 22, 2022, 3:42 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
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The CBP agent should have scanned your BP and then shown you a photo of your checked luggage and asking to confirm it was yours. That's when you would have declared any declarable goods.
CBP officers are both Customs and Immigration officers.
CBP officers are both Customs and Immigration officers.
Jun 22, 2022, 6:27 pm
#5
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
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They no longer always do that confirm thing which is mentioned in the first sentence above.
Jun 23, 2022, 6:47 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 26
I then told him to have a nice day, and I left.
Jun 23, 2022, 6:57 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,735
At a lot of places in the US, that's about all you do now anyways. No forms to hand in, no questions asked, collect bags, and walk out the door without being stopped. Basically it's on you to declare to the immigrations agent if you need to OR if you happen to get sent to secondary do it there. Otherwise have a nice day.
Jun 23, 2022, 8:05 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 641
I had the same at Shannon airport on June 9. Just scanned passport and not asked anything nor did I fill out anything.
Jun 23, 2022, 9:36 am
#9
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,826
It does seem a little confusing. They expect you to just tell them if you have something to declare. It’s on you to declare rather than on them to ask. This is also true for using global entry.
Saves a lot of paper I guess.
Saves a lot of paper I guess.
Jun 27, 2022, 12:35 am
#10
Join Date: Jan 2021
Programs: UA 1K 2MM
Posts: 50
This has been my experience the last 2 times I've exited DUB on a US-bound flight. Quick photo, "have a good day" and documents handed back to me. None of the positive ID of the bags from a photo, lots of questions, etc. that used to happen. Less than 10 seconds per person now at the counter.
Sep 19, 2022, 11:46 am
#12
Join Date: Jan 2021
Programs: UA 1K 2MM
Posts: 50
Neither - you will clear US immigration and customs in SFO. You won’t enter the US preclearance area in DUB at all, and there is none in LHR.
Sep 19, 2022, 5:01 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2006
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