The advent of U.S. Customs and Border Preclearance at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport marks a significant step in cross-border travel convenience between Canada and the United States. Enabled by the updated Agreement on Land, Rail, Marine, and Air Transport Preclearance, on March 10, 2026 the airport will introduce U.S. Customs and Border Protection facilities so passengers can complete immigration, customs, and agricultural inspections before departing Canada rather than upon arrival in the United States.
When the facility opened in 2019, it was not yet equipped for travelers to clear customs in advance of arrival in the U.S. However, now those flying from Billy Bishop, primarily on routes operated by Porter Airlines, can arrive in U.S. destinations as domestic passengers, thereby reducing wait times and improving connectivity to onward flights.
For example, your next Porter Airlines trip from Billy Bishop to Newark Liberty means you will clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection before you board the plane in Toronto, leaving you to arrive in Newark having already been admitted to the United States. Lastly, the addition of the preclearance system will also bolster Toronto’s smaller downtown airport as a business-travel hub, since passengers can depart from the island airport and land directly in major U.S. cities without additional border processing.
For more information about cross-border travel or to speak with one of our attorneys, please contact our office.
