Dublin airport customs and immigration

Others can probably give more recent advice, but yes, US Immigration is handled at the Airport in Dublin (Similar to some airports in Canada if you have flown through there).

The main take away is to leave plenty of time, depending on how it is now set up, you will go through normal airport security, probably still a passport check for exit, then a second set of Security checks and passport check for US Immigration.

Make sure you have anything you want to do in the airport taken care of, since once through US immigration, you are stuck in that area.

Paul is correct. You first go through the Irish equivalent of TSA (show ID, put your bag on the xray belt, walk through the metal detector). Then you head for the US immigration line which first consists of another security check just like TSA and then US passport control where you stand at the booth and answer the border patrol officer's questions. There is a small duty free shop as well as a cafe after you clear US immigration.

I don't wish to hijack this thread, but I have a similar question. We will be returning to the US from Dublin. However, it will be via Calgary (DUB-YYC-SFO). Do we report to US immigration in Dublin or Calgary? Mods--please delete my post if it's not appropriate for this thread. Thanks.

I don't wish to hijack this thread, but I have a similar question. We will be returning to the US from Dublin. However, it will be via Calgary (DUB-YYC-SFO). Do we report to US immigration in Dublin or Calgary?

I believe Calgary, they have a Pre-Clearance Facility there too.

They have security, not TSA, like every airport. What you experience in Dublin looks like what you would see when you get off the plane in NY normally. Small booths with American officers who will ask about what you're carrying and stamp your passport. If you have to do secondary screening, checking the contents of your bag, it will be done before you board your flight (even if you end up missing your flight). That's why they tell people to allow extra time in Dublin.

When you get to NY, you will walk off the plane and it will seem exactly as if you got off a plane from, say, Denver. You go straight to bags and transportation (your entry into the U.S. was completed in Dublin).

Is it a connection in Calgary or just a stop? If a connection, you might have to do Canada customs and immigration then whatever they do for people flying to the U.S. (I don't know the arrangement).

If I am flying Air Lingus from Scotland through Dublin and on to Los Angeles - do I claim bags in Dublin and then recheck or just go through the secondary security once of the 1st plane? Has anybody done that sort of connection?

On connecting flights via DUB you will indentify your bag via a picture. You don't collect it.

For the pre customs check in the Dublin airport you only get the Dublin US customs check if you are flying directly to the US from Dublin, any connection (ours was Heathrow) will mean you don't do the customs in Dublin you do the customs search/check at the first place you land in the US. This is done to promote numerous airports/airlines in the US to offer direct flights to Dublin etc.

Last summer, I and other passengers on my flight were surprised that we didn't go through customs and immigration at Dublin Airport. I had a change of planes in Montreal, but the Canadians were also surprised. Some people thought it might be because we flew out of Terminal 2 in Dublin.

So, if i understand correctly, since my flight goes from Dublin to Calgary then on to San Francisco, I won't go through US customs in Dublin. Anyone know if I'll have to collect my bags in Calgary, or if I'll just stay airside since I'm only transiting through Canada?

Calgary has a brand new terminal now and luggage is handled differently than before. You will definitely go through Canadian customs in Calgary, then transition over to the US Entry side for your next flight. Being a US citizen, it should be smooth. I believe you will take your luggage off in Calgary and then place them on the belt for a connector to the US. Our international flights end in Calgary and then we hop on a connector to our home town in Canada, so I’m not 100% sure . Maybe a google of YYC airport will tell you more.