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I have an upcoming trip from Vancouver (YVR) > San Francisco (SFO) > Narita (NRT).

I'm flying United both legs with a 1.5 hour layover in between. I've gone through US customs before and have used the Mobile Passport app to get through quickly although this would be a first where I'm going from one international flight to another.

I know SFO doesn't do sterile transfers so I assume I'll have to get through customs, but since I'm sticking with the same airline, would I still need to claim and re-check my luggage? Would 1-1.5 hours be enough time?

Would this process be any different the return trip?

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This is a different situation than most US international -> international connections because your inbound flight is from Canada, where most major airports (including YVR) participate in US preclearance. So it's true that you need to clear US customs and immigration, but you'll do so at YVR before departure (allow ample time!). You'll arrive at SFO as if on a domestic flight, with no formalities at all required on arrival. It should therefore also be possible for your luggage to be checked through to NRT (but verify this with United when checking in).

So if your inbound flight is on time, you'll have no trouble at all; you just need to walk to the gate of your outbound flight (there are also no customs formalities when exiting the US). Of course, if your inbound flight is significantly delayed, it'll be harder.

The return NRT-SFO-YVR will be different, though, since Japan doesn't do US preclearance. So on that end, you will have to clear US customs and immigration at SFO, including claiming and rechecking your luggage, and will want to allow more time - I'd want at least 2 hours if not 3. You'll then clear Canadian customs and immigration when you land at YVR.

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    Worth noting (for the return flight) that “rechecking luggage” actually just means “drop it on the belt just after customs and walk away” (no need to haul it to departures or queue for check-in). Will need to go through security, though. Commented yesterday
  • I've always wondered why they do that...? Commented yesterday
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    @8192K So that you clear bags through customs in person, and they can open them up and ask you about them. Commented yesterday
  • Note also that while the majority of airports with US Preclearance are in Canada, there are a few in other countries as well, most notably Dublin & Abu Dhabi. Commented 18 hours ago

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