Clockwise from top left: Officer Gonzalez, USCBP; Officer Zumpano, USCBP; Jim Boyle, general manager Hudson Group; Mikel Walker, general manager, HMSHost; Kristen Neal, manager, Absolute Spa; Susan Steine, director of commercial services, Airport Authority; and Freda Cheung, CEO, Canada, World Duty Free.
Travellers headed to the U.S. from YVR are now able to purchase goods of up to $200 in the airport’s after-security area before their flight, thanks to a new agreement between Vancouver Airport Authority and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP).
The new agreement increases the maximum value of each individual retail item sold in the airport’s U.S. post-security departures area from $100 to $200.
By the end of 2013, the purchase limit per item will reach $400, making it possible for retailers to stock higher-value merchandise, such as cameras and tablets, for purchase by U.S.-bound travellers.
More than 10 years in the making, the Airport Authority championed the purchase increase, working closely with USCBP and retail operators.
“We are always working to match our retail and service options to our customers’ needs,” said Susan Stiene, director of commercial services for the Airport Authority. “We are proud of our partnership with USCBP and our business partners to develop this program and believe passengers will truly benefit from it.”
After successful implementation at YVR, this new agreement will roll out in other Canadian airports with U.S. preclearance.
