Customs-and-Immigration

Customs and Immigration

Entering Canada

After arriving at YYC, you will be need to process through Canada Customs before being granted entry into Canada.

To speed up your customs processing, download the ArriveCan App and use Advance Declaration to fill in your customs and immigration declaration. This can be done up to 72 hours before arriving in Canada to save you time when you arrive at the airport. Advance Declaration users can also take advantage of express lanes, saving even more time on arrival. 

To complete an Advance Declaration for yourself or your group before your trip: 

  • Download and open the ArriveCAN app
  • Confirm your travel document information
  • Answer the customs and immigration questions truthfully
  • Send your declaration up to 72 hours before arriving in Canada

Follow the steps outlined below to make this process as seamless and simple as possible: 

1.     Please enter the correct queue according to your final destination:

  • If Calgary is your final destination, please follow the signs for “Baggage/Exit”.
  • If you are connecting to another destination, please follow signs for “Connections”.

2.     Proceed to the first check point (“Primary Inspection”).

  • YYC offers Primary Inspection kiosks to help travellers expedite their entry into Canada and assist the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officers in verifying your customs and travel documentation more efficiently.
  • New NEXUS kiosks have arrived with faster processing and all accessible kiosks. NEXUS members will need to scan their passport at the kiosk upon first use to upload their photo. Then tap their NEXUS card.
  • If you require assistance at any point during this process, please see one of our friendly Customer Care Ambassadors stationed throughout the Canada Customs area.  

3.     After passing the CBSA customs inspection, follow the signs to the baggage carousels, oversize baggage (if required), or see a Customer Care Ambassador if connecting to another Canadian destination.

 

Questions about Canada customs processes? Visit the Canada Border Services Agency website.
Applying for a visitor visa to Canada? Visit the Government of Canada's website.
Immigrating to Canada? Visit the Government of Canada's immigration and citizenship webpage.
NEXUS Pass questions? Visit Canada Border Services  Agency's NEXUS webpage.

Entering the United States

Before departing to a U.S. destination, you will be required to go through U.S. Customs before being granted entry. Follow the steps outlined below to make this process as seamless and simple as possible:

1.     Proceed to the security checkpoint and show your boarding pass and passport to security officers.

2.     After clearing security, proceed to the U.S. Customs area.

      • YYC offers Automated Passport Control kiosks that expedite the entry process.
        If you require assistance at any point during this process, please see one of our friendly Customer Care Ambassadors stationed throughout the U.S. Customs area.  

3.     Once you have cleared U.S. customs, proceed to Concourse E, Departures Hall, where you can relax, shop or dine before your flight.

For more information on U.S. Customs, please visit https://www.cbp.gov/

U.S. Customs Hours:

Open: 04:30 a.m.

Connecting passengers are permitted entry at 06:30 a.m. Due to U.S Screening standards all connecting passengers are required to be re-screened prior to entering U.S. Customs.

For passengers requiring earlier entry, you may exit the domestic terminal and follow signage to E Security for screening and U.S. Customs entry.

Closing time is dependent on the final flight departure. U.S Customs may close pending airline confirmation of all final flight passengers present and processed.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) air Preclearance operations is the strategic stationing of CBP law enforcement personnel overseas to inspect travelers prior to boarding U.S.-bound flights. Through Preclearance, CBP Officers conduct the same immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections of international air travelers typically performed upon arrival in the United States before departure from foreign airports.