U.S. tariff threats have been so well received by Canadians! So their ambassador thought it would be a good idea to “threaten” the closure of U.S. customs preclearance centers in Canadian airports. That would be a terrible development for travelers… but we probably shouldn’t worry at this stage.
First, let’s be fair: he didn’t make an explicit “threat” at all. But many interpreted his words in that manner, considering the approach of the current U.S. administration.
And the least we can say is that President Trump is quite unpredictable, so… who knows?
Here are the details of the threat to close U.S. customs preclearance centers in Canada.
What is this “threat”?
Here’s the gist of this recent development:
- There are U.S. customs preclearance centers
- In 8 (9 soon) Canadian airports (and 1 ferry terminal)
- It goes back to 1952, and it’s (almost) unique to Canada
- Canadians are traveling less to the United States in 2025
- “Only” 2.4 million went there in August (33% drop)
- But the drop is not as high for travel by plane
- The ambassador said they would need to “take a look at some of these things”
- Regarding customs preclearance centers
- Because of the drop in Canadian travelers
Let’s briefly look at the 3 parts so you understand all this.
I’ll go in reverse order; to start with the most important, and because many are probably aware of the drop in travel and the existence of customs preclearance centers!
What did the ambassador say?
The U.S. ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, was speaking at the Global Business Forum in Banff.
Here’s what he said about the number of Canadian travelers dropping:
Matter of fact, the numbers are down. We’re not sure we can make the numbers work anymore. Preclearance is something that is done at the expense of the U.S. government. We paid for it. You know, if you can’t make the numbers work anymore… you’re all business people. You know what that means. You’ve got to take a look at some of these things.
It does sound somewhat like a threat: if you don’t come back to the United States in greater numbers, we’re going to close the customs preclearance centers.
Many interpreted it that way.
When the moderator continued on the subject, the Trump-appointed ambassador softened his message a bit:
Nobody said we’re ending preclearance. Don’t put words in my mouth.
Maybe it was just clumsy. Maybe it was precisely what he wanted to say. No one knows.
In short, this should be filed under “to keep an eye on” for now.
Customs preclearance has been around since 1952. It’s extremely convenient, as Canadians don’t have to wait in line with the horde of international travelers when arriving in the U.S.
That’s something very important, especially for business travelers for whom time is precious. Including American travelers who come do business in Canada.
But it’s clear that it must cost the U.S. government a lot of money. My understanding is that the infrastructure itself is paid for by Canada, but that their employees here cost the U.S. more than those stateside.
So I’m not ready to say it won’t happen, even though it’s not super plausible at this stage.
The main reason for my cautious optimism is that travel by air has actually not decreased as much. Especially not business travel by air.
Why is travel to the United States down?
Many Canadians are boycotting travel to the United States, as you surely know.
In August 2025, “only” 2.4 million Canadians went to the United States. That’s a 33% drop compared to August 2024.
But customs preclearance centers only affect air travel, not land travel.
One of the main reasons I don’t think the threat is really founded is that the drop is precisely much less pronounced for air travel: that’s down by 25% in August.
That’s still a lot, of course. But I doubt it’s enough to justify such a significant change as closing all customs preclearance centers. But then again, if nothing else, Trump has been very “America first.” He might think Canadians take advantage of customs preclearance more than Americans do.
I remind you that if you don’t want to go to the U.S., that’s obviously your choice. But 82% of respondents to a survey earlier this year said they were afraid to cross the border, and even if it’s not popular to say, that’s just so totally unjustified.
At least for Canadians who are taking a leisure trip! You can read about our experiences at the Canada–U.S. border if you want to learn and be more rational about this divisive subject.
What is a U.S. customs preclearance center?
You obviously know this if you’ve ever taken a plane to the United States, but for others, you should know that 8 Canadian airports have these centers (as does the ferry terminal in Victoria, BC). Toronto-Bishop (YTZ) is getting one soon too, so that will be 9 airports.
It means you go through U.S. customs here before your flight, and when you arrive in the United States, it’s like you’re arriving from a domestic flight, and you can exit landside directly.
Don’t forget that having NEXUS allows you to go through U.S. and Canadian customs in literally 2 minutes each time. The most underrated tip. It’s so amazing!
The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, whose new increased offer gives you 57,000 points (enough for a flight to Europe in business class in a luxurious lie-flat pod seat worth $2000+ with our new business class deals), also gives you a $100 credit to have NEXUS almost free for 5 years.
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Summary
The U.S. ambassador to Canada somewhat threatened to close U.S. customs preclearance centers present in 8 Canadian airports. But air travel is not dropping as much as land travel, so it doesn’t worry me too much for now.
What would you like to know about U.S. customs preclearance in Canada? Tell us in the comments below.
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Featured image: U.S. customs preclearance centers (photo credit: Andrew D’Amours/Flytrippers)
