WASHINGTON – The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Preclearance facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport received the prestigious Abu Dhabi Award for Excellence in Government Performance in the Projects Category.
The award was announced Nov. 18 at the annual Abu Dhabi Awards show.
“This award demonstrates the excellent relationship between Abu Dhabi Airport Company (and Customs and Border Protection,” said CBP Preclearance Abu Dhabi Port Director Jason Greene. “Both ADAC and CBP work in unison to help facilitate legitimate travelers by creating a pleasant experience while maintaining a high level of security to keep America safe.”
Fifty-four government-owned organizations competed for excellence awards in three separate categories: entities, projects/teams and individuals. The project/team category seeks to recognize the best practices in project management and team excellence.
The Abu Dhabi Preclearance facility opened Jan. 23, 2014 and is the first such facility in the Middle East. Preclearance facilities provide the same immigration, customs and agriculture inspections of international air passengers who arrive to the United States. The CBP process in preclearance facilities occur at foreign airports before departure instead of upon arrival.
There are 16 preclearance locations in six different countries allowing passengers the benefit of being able to exit the airport or make connecting flights without further CBP processing. Preclearance facilities can provide layered security. Passengers who would otherwise be declared inadmissible upon arrival to the U.S. are turned away prior to boarding their flight. Narcotics, contraband, prohibited items and dangerous pests and agriculture diseases also may be discovered before entering the U.S.
Starting a new preclearance location first requires that the host country enters into a bilateral agreement with the United States. Those locations must satisfy all CBP requirements for conducting preclearance operations, including having a suitable facility, a baggage bypass system, and be in a secure environment. More information about preclearance can be found in the final preclearance guidance.