Vancouver BC to ATL Customs/Flight Q

[karen s]

Our group is booked for a post cruise flight from Vancouver to ATL to Panama City, FL with a 2 hour layover in ATL. Are we going to have to collect our luggage and re-check in at ATL post "International Flight" after passing customs or is our luggage checked all the way through?? I'm concerned 2 hrs may be cutting it close if we have to re-check our luggage from ATL to Panama City, FL after going through customs. Any and all advice would help be appreciated.

 

Karen

[cruiseryyc]

You will actually go through US customs in Vancouver so should be able to check luggage right through and two hours more than enough time.

[karen s]

cruiseryyc,

 

Thanks so much....great to hear...and I should add it's Vancouver, BC - does that make a difference?

Edited March 21, 2014 by karen s

[scottbee]

Almost all US bound flights are pre-cleared at YVR. The exceptions are 5th freedom flights like CX's HKG-YVR-JFK, and flights after about 9pm. You can confirm by seeing if your flight leaves from the E gates. The E gates are the 'transborder wing' and only used for pre-clearance flights.

 

This means you will clear USA immigration (people) and customs (things) in Vancouver. It also means that your lugagge and you will arrive in the USA the same as for a domestic flight, and it will be checked to your final destination.

 

However, because you need to go through the extra step of US pre-clearance before being released into the transborder wing, you will want to arrive at YVR a little earlier than you might for a domestic or other international destinations.

[karen s]

Thanks...it has been very helpful. Happy cruising to all :)

[Putterdude]

As you approach the US Customs area look for the passport scanning kiosks, you swipe your passport, answer a couple of questions, wait for a ticket to be printed and then pass it off to a CBP agent and you are on your way. You may answer for up to 4 family members that may be traveling with you but you must swipe each person's passport, it has dramatically reduced time clearing US Customs and eliminates the need to complete a customs declaration card. Incidentally, this service is now available for holders of Canadian passports as well.

 

http://www.yvr.ca/en/navigating-yvr/customs-immigration/us-customs-border-protection/AutomatedPassportControl.aspx

[karen s]

Thanks all!! It has helped allay all my fears of only having a 2hr delay in ATL...

 

Happy cruising to all!!

 

Karen

Edited March 22, 2014 by karen s