Can I use Cleveland for a port of entry?

[assila 16]

I'm not sure if this is the correct place to ask, sorry. I'm coming from Manila with my two sons who will be citizens once they get here. I live near Cleveland, but I'm not sure if I can use it as a port of entry. Thank you!

[Boiler 45,945]

https://www.clevelandairport.com/traveler-info/international-travelers

 

It is an International Airport

[Edward and Jaycel 432]

Your PoE will be the first airport you land on US Soil so it depends on the flights you can get with the airline.

[alliejourney 70]

Any airport that receives international flights can be a POE and should be equipped with appropriate immigration facilities.

 

One thing to bear in mind, though, is that a lot of Cleveland's international flights come from cities that have US pre-clearance. For example, in Dublin, you go through US customs and border control at the Dublin airport, so technically Dublin is an American POE. The same is true of Toronto. So when you're scheduling your flights, that's something to keep in mind - do your research on any connecting flights you may need to take, as you'll want to have ample layover time if that's the case for you!

 

Edit: I just did a quick look at Google flights and there are no direct flights that I can see from Manila to Cleveland. Likely, you'll connect in a different US city that will serve as your port of entry. Again, if that's the case, make sure you have ample layover time!

Edited January 6 by alliejourney
adding info

[top_secret 2,490]

Detroit might be drivable and give you allot more options on Delta than Cleveland would.  If meeting them on the ground at the POE is the issue.  If you are traveling with your sons then just choose whatever POE gives you the best connections.

[DELTAFOXTROT 70]

On 1/6/2025 at 12:58 PM, alliejourney said:

Any airport that receives international flights can be a POE and should be equipped with appropriate immigration facilities.

 

One thing to bear in mind, though, is that a lot of Cleveland's international flights come from cities that have US pre-clearance. For example, in Dublin, you go through US customs and border control at the Dublin airport, so technically Dublin is an American POE. The same is true of Toronto. So when you're scheduling your flights, that's something to keep in mind - do your research on any connecting flights you may need to take, as you'll want to have ample layover time if that's the case for you!

 

Edit: I just did a quick look at Google flights and there are no direct flights that I can see from Manila to Cleveland. Likely, you'll connect in a different US city that will serve as your port of entry. Again, if that's the case, make sure you have ample layover time!

Yep, I had always heard some countries had US POE in their cities.  Why do this?  What is the point?

 

[alliejourney 70]

On 1/11/2025 at 8:16 AM, DELTAFOXTROT said:

Yep, I had always heard some countries had US POE in their cities.  Why do this?  What is the point?

 

No idea why this became a thing, but FWIW I actually really enjoyed the pre-clearance in Dublin. When I reached Cleveland, it was nice to be able to just grab my bags and go home, not have to go through customs when I was ready for my own bed after a long flight! 

[DELTAFOXTROT 70]

On 1/13/2025 at 6:47 AM, alliejourney said:

No idea why this became a thing, but FWIW I actually really enjoyed the pre-clearance in Dublin. When I reached Cleveland, it was nice to be able to just grab my bags and go home, not have to go through customs when I was ready for my own bed after a long flight! 

I found a hack for POE in USA.  If I am running late I will just not pick up my bags at POE and they will send them to your final destination.  

 

I have done it twice and it worked both times. First time I didn't know you were supposed to collect your luggage at your POE, I figured they sent it to your final destination in USA.

 

2nd time I tried it to see if was really a hack and left a empty luggage and it was shipped onto my final destination in DFW.

[alliejourney 70]

2 hours ago, DELTAFOXTROT said:

I found a hack for POE in USA.  If I am running late I will just not pick up my bags at POE and they will send them to your final destination.  

 

I have done it twice and it worked both times. First time I didn't know you were supposed to collect your luggage at your POE, I figured they sent it to your final destination in USA.

 

2nd time I tried it to see if was really a hack and left a empty luggage and it was shipped onto my final destination in DFW.

 

This is probably not advice I would give to everyone. I think in general people should probably just follow the proper protocols because they're in place for a reason. But if you're comfortable taking the gamble then you do you.

[JDK5130 2]

Hello I am from Cleveland too. I have been back and forth to Manila a few times. My fiancée will be a Clevelander soon! 

 

Every time I went through customs is was in LA and I believe once in Chicago. Not sure if that relates to POE.

 

The shortest flight possible is Cleveland-LA-Manila, but those flights got taken quickly and sometimes were very expensive. Other times they were not expensive but the direct LA - Manila is a very sought after flight since it is direct. I believe there are also some direct flights from LA to either Cebu or Davao but I do not remember.

 

Most of my flights were this:

 

Cleveland-Chicago-Tokyo-Manila

&

Cleveland-LA-Taiwan-Manila

 

Hope this helps

 

JDK

[JDK5130 2]

On 1/6/2025 at 4:42 PM, top_secret said:

Detroit might be drivable and give you allot more options on Delta than Cleveland would.  If meeting them on the ground at the POE is the issue.  If you are traveling with your sons then just choose whatever POE gives you the best connections.

 

There is also an Amtrak train directly from Detroit to the center of Downtown Cleveland that is affordable and fast. I know people who use this because by the time you get to the Detroit airport and make such a short flight the train has already arrived in Cleveland.

[Edward and Jaycel 432]

29 minutes ago, JDK5130 said:

Not sure if that relates to POE.

 

Yes, your POE is Port of Entry and in most cases (unless there is Customs & Border Patrol pre-clearance in the foreign country) it is the first airport you land in US territory where you clear passport control and Customs.