{"id":24089,"date":"2026-08-27T15:58:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T10:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianeagle.com\/traveldiary\/?p=24089"},"modified":"2026-08-27T15:58:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T10:28:17","slug":"new-us-airport-baggage-rule-skip-recheck","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.indianeagle.com\/traveldiary\/new-us-airport-baggage-rule-skip-recheck\/","title":{"rendered":"New U.S. Baggage Program Lets Some Travelers Skip Recheck on Connecting Flights"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Source: ChatGPT<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

International travelers connecting through the United States often face an extra step after landing. They usually need to collect their checked bags at the first U.S. airport, clear customs, and recheck the bags before taking the next flight. A new system is changing this process for eligible passengers on selected routes. Known as International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS), the program allows some connecting travelers to skip collecting and rechecking their checked luggage.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is International Remote Baggage Screening?<\/b><\/h2>\n

International Remote Baggage Screening is a program that makes U.S. international connections faster. It uses secure technology to share baggage-screening data with CBP while passengers are in the air. CBP officers can review computed tomography and X-ray images of checked luggage while the plane is still in the air. If the bag does not need additional screening, airport staff can transfer it to the connecting flight without the passenger collecting it.<\/span><\/p>\n

This process removes the need to wait at the baggage carousel, collect luggage, carry it through customs, and hand it back to the airline.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Has Not Changed for International Travelers?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The new baggage process does not allow travelers to skip U.S. immigration or customs procedures. Passengers must still complete CBP processing at their first U.S. airport unless they complete U.S. preclearance before departure. IRBS only changes how eligible checked bags are handled. CBP can still refer any bag for further examination. If CBP selects a bag for inspection, the passenger may need to retrieve it and follow the standard baggage process. The collect-and-recheck rule still applies when the airline, route, or connecting airport does not participate in the program.<\/span><\/p>\n

U.S. Airports and Routes Using the New Baggage Transfer Program<\/b><\/h3>\n

The streamlined bag handling service is available only on selected international routes. Eligibility depends on the airline, arrival airport, departure airport, and specific flight. Delta started the Seamless Baggage Transfer service for Seoul Incheon passengers with connections in Atlanta in 2025. Later, the airline added Detroit and Minneapolis\u2013St. Paul to this list. Seattle and Los Angeles airports joined the Seoul Incheon list in June 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

Earlier trials included an American Airlines service from Sydney to Los Angeles. Additional airports and airline routes may be added to the list as the program expands.<\/span><\/p>\n

New U.S. Baggage Procedure<\/b><\/h3>\n

For an eligible connecting flight, the process is simple:<\/span><\/p>\n