Clear American Customs on the Emerald Isle

Anyone with a bee in their bonnet about ‘global Americanisation’ could be forgiven for thinking that Ireland has just become the 51st state of the USA. Shannon Airport in southern Ireland is the first airport outside America to provide full US customs and border protection pre-clearance facilities for aircraft en route to the USA.

This is great news for travellers previously put off by the lengthy and sometimes overzealous Customs procedures upon arrival in the USA. For a fee of just 10.50€ per passenger; customs, border and agricultural formalities can be addressed at Shannon Airport thereby pre-clearing passengers to land at any domestic airport in continental America.

Airlines also benefit by pre-clearing customs, allowing the option of landing at any domestic airport which will not only reduces costs but also creates possibilities for new routes. It also enables them to avoid the delays and congestion associated with international terminals and reduces connection times for passengers travelling onwards in the USA.

IMPORTANT: If you would like to visit the USA and take advantage of Shannon’s US immigration facilities don’t forget to apply for travel authorisation on the www.esta.co.uk website (Electronic Travel Services) before buying your flight ticket or booking accommodation!