Connecting at Vancouver: YVR Transit Guide

Connecting at Vancouver on an Air Canada Seattle–Vancouver–Shanghai itinerary — no baggage claim and no re-screening, but Canada Customs is required. The signs to follow, the Satellite Primary Inspection step, and YVR terminal maps.

Published September 30, 20261 min readSource: 多肉2号

Vancouver transit
YVR
Canada Customs
connecting flights

An Air Canada through-ticket from Seattle to Shanghai via Vancouver: AC8801 (Seattle–Vancouver) connecting to AC25 (Vancouver–Shanghai). Transferring at Vancouver means:

You do not collect your bags
You do not go through security again
You do clear Canada Customs

See the attached YVR terminal map — the arrival and departure gates for these two flights are close together (marked in green, but on different levels).

Itinerary: Seattle–Vancouver (AC8801) and Vancouver–Shanghai (AC25)

The steps at Vancouver

Follow the overhead signs to Welcome to Vancouver.

1. Have all your travel documents ready

Have all documentation in hand and ensure all applicable forms have been completed. (Keep every document to hand and make sure any form you need has been filled in.)

2. Follow the International Connections sign

Follow the International Connections sign and enter the Satellite Primary Inspection line. (Follow the "International Connections" signs into the Satellite Primary Inspection channel.)

3. Clear Canada Customs Primary Inspection

Clear Canada Customs Primary Inspection. (Complete the main Canada Customs check.)

4. Take the escalator up to level 3 departures

Take the escalator to level 3 Departures to your next flight. (Take the escalator to the level 3 departures hall for your onward flight.)

5. About your checked baggage

Your checked baggage will be delivered to the final destination, unless advised otherwise at check-in. (Your checked bags go straight through to the final destination unless you are told otherwise at check-in.)

Satellite Primary Inspection

In English this is the Satellite Primary Inspection. Passengers complete their customs declaration here themselves; the self-service machines offer Chinese, and you can also declare in advance in the airline's app — at the machine you simply scan a QR code and print the receipt. For the detailed steps, see this guide on Zhihu.

Canborder kiosk guidance for transferring at Vancouver