At what point during a traveler’s trip to the U.S. does a traveler clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection?
If the final destination is in the U.S. and the first port of arrival is in the U.S., travelers must clear Immigration and Customs at the first port of entry.
If a connection is involved, the traveler will not be required to go through another clearance when they arrive at their final destination.
Travelers pre-cleared at one of Customs and Border Protection’s foreign pre clearance locations in Canada or the Caribbean are not required to clear Customs and Immigration again when they arrive in the U.S.
If a traveler-in-transit is suspected of traveling with an illegal substance or other item restricted by U.S. laws (such as undeclared currency in excess of $10,000), they can be subject to search and the seizure of their goods. Travelers in transit are not subject to duty on their personal goods although other items in their possession may be subject to duty if over $200 in value.
