If your clients fly regularly to the U.S., they are probably familiar with the idea of preclearance, where they go through US Customs in Canada before their transborder trip. The system is in place at eight Canadian airports as well as a marine site in Prince Rupert B.C. for those ferrying to Alaska.
Now, as part of the announced 1.3 billion dollar border security program here, people coming into Canada at the Cannon Corners, New York border crossing will clear Canadian Customs before entering our country. The preclearance site is at a shared facility, just across the border from the Covey Hill, Q.C.point of entry, which will be closed for two years while people are processed and screened at the New York facility.
Canadian border services will operate the site, screening visitors and those returning home for contraband, including dangerous goods such as firearms and drugs. Operating the site on U.S. soil allows CBSA officers to deny entry to people before they enter Canada.
When delivering the news, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety stated “[This] announcement demonstrates our shared commitment with the United States to bolster border security and streamline the flow of legitimate trade and travel between our two countries. Preclearance is yet another example of how Canada and the United States work together every day to intercept security threats early, while delivering large-scale economic benefits for Canadians and Americans.”
In addition to the screening duties, the preclearance site will be able to handle immigration processing, but not refugee claims.
Issues regarding entry to Canada have come into the spotlight in response to President-elect Trump’s stated intention of implementing a 25% tariff on Canadian goods unless the federal government tightens border security.
The date the new preclearance site will begin operating and updates on this initiative will be announced through the CBSA website and on their social media channels.