AASHTO Journal - Amtrak Offers Customs Preclearance for Cascades Line

Customers traveling from Vancouver, British Columbia, on the Amtrak Cascades passenger rail line can now complete U.S. preclearance procedures before boarding; a new service being offered at the Pacific Central Station in Washington State.

[Above photo by Amtrak]

Trains departing Vancouver will now proceed directly into the United States without stopping for en route border screening, enhancing overall trip quality and operational efficiency. Under a “preclearance” designation, trains no longer need to stop in Blaine, WA, for U.S. Customs and Border Protection or CBP agents to board and conduct a second review of declaration cards, luggage and carry-on items.

Delivered in partnership with the Washington State Department of Transportation, VIA Rail, and numerous agencies in both countries that include CBP, the Canada Border Services Agency, Transport Canada, and Public Safety Canada, the preclearance process consolidates inspection, security, and customs procedures into a single step prior to departure.

While preclearance has long been available at select airports, Pacific Central Station becomes the first rail station in North America to offer this capability – representing a new chapter for rail travel, noted Roger Harris, Amtrak’s outgoing president.

“This is a historic moment for passenger rail in North America,” he said in a statement. “Launching the continent’s first rail preclearance facility reflects what’s possible when strong partners come together with a shared focus on the customer experience. This improvement makes cross-border travel faster, easier, and more seamless from the moment passengers arrive at the station.”

“We’re pleased to offer Amtrak Cascades passengers a better cross-border experience, particularly as we welcome visitors from around the world as part of the international soccer games happening in both Seattle and Vancouver this summer,” said Julie Meredith, WSDOT secretary. “In addition, we’re going to introduce new Amtrak Cascades trains later in 2026, with significantly more seats and onboard amenities. As a result, we’re anticipating record-breaking ridership in the year ahead and a bright future for rail travel throughout our region.”

She noted in a separate statement that declaring Pacific Central Station a preclearance facility was “years in the making.” Prior to final approval by both Canadian and U.S. officials, significant improvements had to be constructed to accommodate additional inspection and security activities, WSDOT said.

With the new preclearance designation, these two inspections are combined at upgraded station facilities, allowing Amtrak Cascades to reduce travel time by 10 minutes. With the preclearance designation, the trip between Vancouver and Seattle now takes four hours. In 2025, 149,000 passengers traveled to and from British Columbia on Amtrak Cascades trains, making Pacific Central Station the third most popular stop in the system, WSDOT said.