Clearing Customs, which flight?
 

I apologize if this is a question already asked and answered - couldn't find it in previous posts. It occurred to me that every time I have flown internationally in the past, I have had a direct flight into Minneapolis. This time, we are flying from Costa Rica to Dallas, then changing planes and flying to Minneapolis. Will we be going through customs in Dallas? Do we pick up our checked bags and then have to re-check them?

We will have 2 hours and 15 minutes in Dallas. Flying AA. Can someone walk me through this?

You'll arrive Terminal D. You go through immigration, pick up checked bags, go through customs, drop off checked bags, go through security, then ride train to Terminal A or C where your MSP flight departs.

Oh, I just realize some of AA's domestic flights also depart from DFW Terminal D, so you may or may not not need the train ride.

Thanks for the quick reply. Do you think 2 hrs, 15 min. is enough time?

I take the SJO-DFW flight frequently. If it arrives on time, then that should be enough time to do all you need to do and make your connecting flight.

It's enough time. And AA has later flights to MSP in case you miss yours. Don't worry.

Follow up question:

How does the process work the other way around....we are flying Atlanta to Houston to Calgary. I know we have to clear customs in Calgary, but do we have to go through a process in Houston in order to leave the country? Anything done in Atlanta?

Trying to figure out how much connection time is needed. Thanks in advance.

You don't go through anything when leaving the US, unless you're a visitor. Then you'll need to go to an electronic booth at your departing airport (IAH) and have your thumb scanned and picture taken.

If you're US citizen/resident, then boarding an international flight is no different than boarding a domestic one.

Thanks for the help!