DCA-ORD-YVR + return - where do I clear Customs?
Jan 8, 2010, 2:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 163
DCA-ORD-YVR + return - where do I clear Customs?
I've searched the site and I think I've figured it out, but I would love to have some confirmation or correction just to be safe before I book flights with short layovers in ORD.
I'm on UA metal from DCA-ORD-YVR. I clear Canadian customs when I land in YVR, right? Nothing to do in ORD except catch my next flight, even if I have checked luggage?
On the return, I clear U.S. customs in YVR, right? Again, nothing to do in ORD except catch my next flight, even if I have checked luggage?
Thanks.
I'm on UA metal from DCA-ORD-YVR. I clear Canadian customs when I land in YVR, right? Nothing to do in ORD except catch my next flight, even if I have checked luggage?
On the return, I clear U.S. customs in YVR, right? Again, nothing to do in ORD except catch my next flight, even if I have checked luggage?
Thanks.
Jan 8, 2010, 2:12 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
Correct.
Jan 8, 2010, 2:18 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Posts: 495
Correct. But beware current restrictions on carry-on for Canada->US flights when you return. See the Air Canada forum for a lengthy thread on it, or see the CATSA web page for ... umm... guidance (if you can call it that) -- http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/home.as...ccueil&lang=en.
You will not face any strange restrictions ORD-YVR, only YVR-ORD.
You will not face any strange restrictions ORD-YVR, only YVR-ORD.
Jan 8, 2010, 2:50 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: YWG
Programs: UA 1K, AC E, *G x2, BMI Silver, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, PC Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,260
Correct. But beware current restrictions on carry-on for Canada->US flights when you return. See the Air Canada forum for a lengthy thread on it, or see the CATSA web page for ... umm... guidance (if you can call it that) -- http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/home.as...ccueil&lang=en.
You will not face any strange restrictions ORD-YVR, only YVR-ORD.
You will not face any strange restrictions ORD-YVR, only YVR-ORD.
*A laptop computer may be transported in a basic laptop bag containing only computer accessories and one or two thin file folders.
d.
Jan 8, 2010, 2:52 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 176
Yes, but the CATSA site has a FAQ with a ton of contradictory information...just to add some more confusion. :-)
Jan 8, 2010, 3:14 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: UA MM *Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 1,852
, should we or shouldn't we, well maybe, but not sure, oh, I don't know for certain, on and on and on
Jan 8, 2010, 5:20 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: NoCal
Programs: UA 1K 2.7MM
Posts: 232
Your informed guess is correct. You do customs/immigration both ways in YVR.
A couple of points:
-Late morning IM/customs lines in YVR can be very long due to Asian flight arrivals.
-Clearing US IM/customs on the return can also take a long time due to the US not having enough lines open but like me, YMMV
-Finally note that twice at YVR when I told the IM officer that my final destination was the Yukon (where I go often for work) I was pulled aside for extra questioning/screening. The second time I was very rudely told that 'no one goes to the Yukon' and made to wait several hours. This incident made the Canadian press. So I always now carry full details of my work destination to show the officer, but again, YMMV.
A couple of points:
-Late morning IM/customs lines in YVR can be very long due to Asian flight arrivals.
-Clearing US IM/customs on the return can also take a long time due to the US not having enough lines open but like me, YMMV
-Finally note that twice at YVR when I told the IM officer that my final destination was the Yukon (where I go often for work) I was pulled aside for extra questioning/screening. The second time I was very rudely told that 'no one goes to the Yukon' and made to wait several hours. This incident made the Canadian press. So I always now carry full details of my work destination to show the officer, but again, YMMV.