The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility in Zayed International Airport lets you clear U.S. immigration and customs inspections before boarding. With all the checks out of the way before you take-off, you can simply pick up your bags and go when you land in the U.S.
The only CBP Preclearance facility in the Middle East, it’s the fastest and simplest way to travel to the U.S.
We’ve introduced biometric facial scanners at our boarding gates for a seamless, quicker boarding experience when you fly between Abu Dhabi and the U.S.
A completely touchless experience, you won’t need to present your passport or boarding pass – when you see the green light, you’re good to head on to the plane.
Available at boarding gates in Abu Dhabi and New York.
Use the free CBP Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app before you fly from Abu Dhabi and breeze through customs.
Save the time and hassle of paper forms and submit all required documents and information in minutes from your phone.
Check if you're eligible
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection programme that speeds up entry into the U.S. for pre-approved, low-risk travellers.
When you’ve been approved to use the programme, head to the the Global Entry lanes at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. Your photo will be taken, then simply follow the on-screen instructions and proceed to a U.S. Customs officer.
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The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility is available for all Etihad Airways flights to the U.S.
If you are arriving from or have been in Rwanda in the past 21 days, you will not be permitted to travel to Boston or use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility in Abu Dhabi. If that is the case, you will be booked on an alternative itinerary and will clear customs at an approved airport in the U.S.
Check in at Terminal A at least four hours before your flight.
Make your way to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility two hours before your flight, or 90 minutes if you’re travelling in Business, First or The Residence.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility closes an hour before your flight.
When you complete the preclearance process before your flight, the date shown on your passport for entry into the U.S. will be the date you depart from Abu Dhabi.
If you’re travelling to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), apply for travel authorisation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at least 72 hours before you travel. You’ll also need to add Advance Passenger Information (API) to your booking at least one hour before your flight.
You must have a machine-readable passport and hold a confirmed return or onward ticket to leave the U.S. within 90 days.
Regardless of your visa type, you must complete a CBP Customs Declaration Form at the airport on the day of departure. One completed declaration form per family must be handed to the U.S. airport customs official.
Forms are available at check-in, on board or in the Immigration Hall at Zayed International Airport.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility is located in Zayed International Airport – Terminal A, at the end of Pier C.
All Etihad Airways flights from Abu Dhabi to the U.S. have access to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility.
However, if you are arriving from or have been in Rwanda in the past 21 days, you will not be permitted to travel to Boston or use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility in Abu Dhabi. If that is the case, you will be booked on an alternative itinerary and will clear customs at an approved airport in the U.S.
If you’re a U.S. or Canadian resident, or travelling under the Visa Waiver Program, you can use a free Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosk. Located at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, you can submit your customs declaration form and biometric information before speaking with a CBP officer.
If you’re not a U.S. citizen or legal resident, then you need to head to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, where your biometric and fingerprint data will be processed, along with other preclearance requirements after check-in or arrival at the airport.
There is a café and duty-free shop after clearing U.S. immigration, as well as accessible toilets and baby changing facilities. A smoking area is also available.
Our U.S. Preclearance Lounge is temporarily closed, though you’re invited to use our state-of-the-art First or Business lounge if you’re travelling in Business, First or The Residence, or you’ve selected lounge access a Custom Benefit as part of your Etihad Guest membership.
US law prohibits the importation of certain agricultural items into the US, including spices, seeds, plants, meat, fish, fruits, vegetables and general food products.
Please check CBP regulations for further information.
You can’t bring any liquid, aerosols and gels onboard or to the US – whether from Duty Free or elsewhere – that’s more than 100ml.
Any liquid you’d like to bring should be placed in a separate, clear zip-top plastic bag for a faster inspection process.
Medications, baby formula and food, and breast milk are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding 88ml and are not required to be in the zip-top bag. You need to declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint and officers may need to open these items to conduct additional screening.
You may carry up to 15 electronic devices including a laptop, tablet, e-reader, mobile phone or medical device on your flight with us. These can be placed in your cabin or checked baggage. Any device in checked baggage must be completely switched off and protected from damage.
Loose or spare batteries, power banks, e-cigarettes, e-pipes and other personal vaporisers must be placed into your cabin baggage or kept in your pocket or purse, individually protected. For safety reasons, these items are strictly not allowed in your checked baggage. You can carry a maximum of 10 loose or spare batteries, including power banks. The output of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries in your electronic devices or spare batteries must not exceed 100 Watt-hours and the Lithium-metal content in batteries must not exceed two grammes.
If your bags have been tagged to your final destination, you will not need to collect them before your connecting flight.
If you're travelling from Abu Dhabi to the U.S. and are using our U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance facility, you can use the CBP Mobile Passport Control app if you're a U.S. or Canadian (B1/B2 visitors) citizen or Visa Waiver Program (VWP) traveller with approved ESTA.
Read more.
You'll need internet access to submit your information.
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The exclusive Etihad U.S. Preclearance Lounge is currently closed for refurbishment. If you’re travelling in Business, First or The Residence, or you’re eligible to use the lounge with your Etihad Guest membership, you’re invited to use our state-of-the-art First or Business lounge instead.
Unwind in the lounge up to 90 minutes before your flight, then head over to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility. It’s about a 15-minute walk away. Just let us know if you need assistance.
