NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – America Customs and Border Safety (CBP) company says it has signed a brand new Preclearance settlement with The Bahamas, modernizing journey between the neighboring nations.
CBP stated the brand new settlement was signed right here by CBP Workplace of Discipline Operations (OFO) Govt Assistant Commissioner Diane J. Sabatino and International Minister of The Bahamas Fredrick A. Mitchell.
The settlement replaces the 50-year-old Preclearance settlement, which pre-dates the formation of the US Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) and CBP.
“This settlement advances our mutual safety cooperation and commemorates 50 years of Preclearance operations in The Bahamas,” stated Sabatino, stating that the settlement “signifies an vital milestone in our shut partnership as we set up a modernized framework for Preclearance border safety operations, enhancing our financial partnership by way of elevated journey and an improved passenger expertise.”
CBP stated preclearance operations began in The Bahamas in 1974, making it one in every of 15 places in six nations providing Preclearance, together with Aruba, Bermuda, Canada, Eire, and the United Arab Emirates.
“This system permits CBP officers to carry out the identical immigration, customs, and agriculture clearances usually completed upon arrival in the US earlier than worldwide vacationers depart from sure overseas airports, enabling them to journey to the US with no visa,” CBP stated. “After touchdown at a US port of entry, the passengers save time by avoiding CBP inspections and will proceed to their locations as in the event that they arrived on a home flight.”
Mitchell stated the settlement is “an achievement for each nations, additional strengthening our relationships, safety, and ease of entry for each nations.”
Usha Pitts, US Chargé d’Affaires in The Bahamas, took the signing ceremony as a possibility to congratulate The Bahamas on welcoming a file 9 million vacationers, principally US residents, in 2023.
“Eighty % of the vacationers who come listed below are Individuals,” Pitts stated. “It’s great to see my compatriots come flooding in and having fun with this stunning nation. Preclearance makes it rather a lot simpler for everybody to get backwards and forwards. It’s a beautiful, distinctive settlement that makes our lives simpler.”
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