United Airlines Launches CBP’s International Baggage Screening for Flights from Sydney to San Francisco
- Joe Breitfeller
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
United Airlines has today announced the launch of a new U.S. Customs and Borders Protection (CBP) initiative, the International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS), for connecting passengers with checked bags. This eliminates the need to retrieve and re-check bags.
On Monday (September 29, 2025), United Airlines announced the launch of a new U.S. Customs and Borders Protection (CBP) initiative, the International Remote Baggage Screening (IRBS), for connecting passengers with checked bags. This eliminates the need to re-check bags on select international routes, making connections easier, and reducing missed connections. The new process is now available for customers traveling on United’s daily service from Sydney, Australia (SYD) to San Francisco, California (SFO) with a connecting flight to a final destination. United has partnered with Sydney Airport, BagCheck and Brock Solutions, leading baggage solution providers, to launch this initiative, streamlining the connecting experience for guests.
In Monday’s announcement, United’s VP – Customer Operations Strategy and Execution, Jennifer Schwierzke, said,
“We’re streamlining the international arrival process by eliminating extra steps for travelers to pick-up and re-check their bags on connecting flights. Together with CBP, we’re testing this new process on routes between Sydney and San Francisco and plan to expand to additional international routes in the months ahead.”
Also commenting on the launch of this new seamless connectivity initiative, Sydney Airport’s CEO, Scott Charlton, said,
“It’s great to see United Airlines trialing bag re-check elimination on the Sydney - San Francisco route, one of our busiest long-haul services. It’s a win for passengers – saving valuable time, making connections easier, and showing how Sydney Airport and our airline partners are working together to deliver smoother, more seamless journeys.”
To use the new service, United customers should drop off their checked bags in Sydney (SYD) as usual with an agent at the check-in counter in the lobby. Upon arrival in San Francisco (SFO), passengers connecting on a flight to another destination will go to CBP for customs, immigration and agriculture inspections, and then head directly to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for security screening. This eliminates the need for these travelers to pick-up checked bags at baggage claim and re-check them to their final destinations, unless specifically referred by CBP for further inspection. Travelers then simply pick-up their baggage at their final destination.
Source: United Airlines