Adventure is a State of Mind
What’s the Big Deal About Customs?
Last week’s post was all about passports. For those of you who have traveled abroad, especially if you’ve done so multiple times and recently, you probably don’t need to read this post. For individuals who haven’t traveled abroad, however, the idea of going through customs can be a little intimidating. Here’s some additional information to help you understand the process better and know what to expect. And for those of you who haven’t left the country in quite awhile, it never hurts to have a refresher.
Please note, all of the following information pertains to crossing borders through the air or over the ocean. If you drive, the process can look very different. Also, I’m writing this from the point of view of an American, although the process is very similar for citizens of other countries.
An Overview
The biggest things to remember to help the process go smoothly is to be patient, prepared, and cooperative, and keep things simple. Also, remember that going through security is something you have to do before every flight, but going through customs and immigration is something you usually only do once you arrive in another country. (I said “usually” because a few countries, like Aruba, have made special arrangements with the U.S. to allow you to go through passport control and U.S. Customs before leaving their country to speed up the process when arriving in the U.S.)
When you arrive at the airport in a country different from the one from which you left (regardless of where you are a citizen), initially you will follow the signs to pick up your luggage. This is true even if you are not yet at your final destination and have a connecting flight. Sometimes, you’ll be required to reclaim all your luggage, including checked luggage, before going through customs. Other times, (but almost always when you enter the U.S.), you will go through customs and immigration, let them know if you have anything to declare (more on this later), and pick up your luggage after. Then you’ll walk your luggage (usually a short distance) to recheck it with the airline if you have a connecting flight.
Initial Arrival
The good news is that upon arrival at the airport on an international flight, you’re unlikely to get lost because all exits will take you through customs and immigration. Usually there will be separate lines for non-citizens versus citizens, so plan to get into your appropriate line.
If you have registered for Global Entry, watch for separate lines since you will want to take advantage of that service given how the Global Entry process is much more rapid. Not every airport has a separate line for Global Entry, however, in which case you have to stand in line with everyone else. Also, if your travel companions do not have Global Entry, they cannot go with you through the Global Entry line, even if you are all in the same household; but you are welcome to stay in the slower line with them.
The Waiting Game
At this point, be prepared to be patient. Hopefully you’re wearing comfortable shoes and went to the bathroom on the plane before it landed, because the wait can be quite lengthy and there is no place to sit and probably no access to a restroom.
I know waiting in a long line is incredibly boring, but this is not the time to be on your phone. It is illegal in customs areas to take photos with a camera or your phone, and most also request that you not even have your phone out. I suggest that you turn your phone off because if it rings, this will get you unwanted attention, and you also run the risk of having your phone confiscated.
Documents
Being prepared involves having the appropriate paperwork ready. Your passport is your most important document, but you also want to have your declaration form, boarding pass, and the address of the first or primary place you will be staying during your trip. Declaration forms are often handed out by flight attendants on the plane or you can pick them up and fill them out in the customs area. Some countries, such as Canada, are changing over to electronic declaration forms that you can fill out 72 hours before your flight or at a kiosk in the airport.
You are the one that possesses the keys to your being. You carry the passport to your own happiness.
Diane von Furstenberg
Making a Declaration
I said I’d get back to the definition of making a declaration — a customs declaration is a form that lists the goods that are being “imported” (or brought into) another country’s borders. Depending on the amount and type of goods that are being imported, there could be a requirement to pay a customs duty tax on the items that are being declared.
If you’re unsure about what you need to declare when entering a country, including when you return to your home country, you can do an internet search for “what to declare when entering ______________ ” or “entry requirements for _________________.”
As a general rule, when going to another country, you have to declare anything you will not be using for your own personal use, such as if you are bringing something to sell. If you are returning to your home country, you have to declare anything you bought and are “importing” into your country, even if it is just for your own personal use. This includes things you may have bought in the duty free stores in the airport. As part of the declaration form, you are required to estimate the value of what you are declaring, so sometimes it’s helpful to keep receipts for the things you bought while traveling.
If you declare something that you are not allowed to bring into the country, it could be confiscated. It definitely would be frustrating to have the customs agent take that delicious Iberico ham you were bringing back from Spain, but as tempting as it may be to “forget” to declare it in the hopes that you can keep it, the consequences are much worse if you don’t declare it — not only can undeclared items be seized, you can be charged a hefty fine!
Declaring Money
Another thing to keep in mind is that for most countries, when you are entering (even if you are returning to your home country), you have to declare if you are carrying more than a certain amount of cash or “monetary instruments.” When entering the U.S., this is $10,000. When entering a country in the European Union, the amount is 10,000 euros. This is a little tricky in that it is the amount that the currency is worth if all of the money was converted to that country’s currency. This means that if you have 10,000 euros and are entering the U.S., because one euro is usually worth more than one American dollar, you would be over the declaration limit coming into the U.S., but not if you were traveling back to Europe.
Also, the declaration limit is based on the total amount the members of your household are carrying. So, if you are traveling by yourself into the U.S., you can have up to $10,000. If you and your spouse are traveling together, it is the total for both of you, so you could each carry up to $5,000 (or a combination that doesn’t add up to more than $10,000) before hitting the limit. And if you and your spouse have eight children, then it is the equivalent of no more than $1,000 per person.
There is no limit to how much money you can carry back and forth between most countries, but if you don’t declare it and are found to be carrying more than the limit, your money can be confiscated! My suggestion is that unless you’re doing illegal and nefarious things, it’s in your best interests to declare all of the money you have on you when traveling. (By the way, did you know that some of the dogs you see in airport security have been trained to sniff out paper money?)
Prohibited Items
It’s also helpful to know what you are not allowed to bring into another country. The most common prohibited items are live plants, fruits and vegetables, and meat. So if you bought a lovely sandwich with meat and fresh tomato slices before boarding your plane but you haven’t eaten it before the end of your flight, you’ll need to throw it away before you go through customs.
Cheese is usually allowed if it doesn’t contain any meat, especially if it’s solid and sealed in a wrapper of some sort. Luckily, chocolate and alcohol (within limits) are also usually okay!
It is okay to bring most prescription medications for your own personal use, just make sure they are in their original bottle with the prescription with your name on it still attached. You don’t have to declare this or mention it to anyone unless asked. Be aware, however, that some medications that are legal in your country could possibly be illegal in another country. In this case, doing another internet search, such as “is ______________ medication legal in __________________” is helpful.
The Interview
Once you approach the front of the line and the customs agents, you will be directed when to step up to a specific agent. Most of the time, family households traveling together will talk to the agent together, but friends who are not married or related, even if they live together, are expected to go through the process separately. And if you are related but live separately, you are also expected to meet with an agent separately. Now, having said this, at any time with any customs official, they may request something different of you. For example, when I’ve traveled with my nieces and with my mother, we’ve often been told to walk up together to the next available agent, and I’ve also seen spouses directed to go through separately.
Unless there is some sort of very special circumstance (such as your traveling companion having dementia and requesting that they not be separated from you during the process), it is best that you just follow directions without questioning the agents. Now is the time to be cooperative and polite. Arguing or causing a scene can create problems for you, especially delays, which can be a significant problem if you still have another flight to catch.
Keeping your cool is usually the best response to being singled out for extra questioning or to have your bags searched. It’s usually not personal. If you do want to know your rights (at least when going through U.S. customs), however, you can check out this guide by the ACLU.
The customs agent will examine your passport, ask what you have to declare, and usually ask you a few questions. The most common include being asked about where you’re coming from and where you’re going and the purpose of your travels. Now is not the time to try to be funny or entertaining. Instead, keep it simple. Brief and to-the-point responses are the best. For example, if asked about the purpose of your trip, “business,” “vacation,” or “visiting friends” are appropriate. If the customs agent needs more information, they will ask.
Sometimes that’s the end of the questioning, the agent stamps your passport, and you’re on your way. Other times, however, they may ask you more questions, such as requesting more information about what you did or plan to do, the address of where you are staying (make sure you have it written down and can get to it easily if you don’t have it memorized), or asking about other stamps in your passport and past travels.
You might think it doesn’t matter if you’re not prepared for the questions so long as someone in your group is, but I was traveling once with a group of friends, and we were separated by households. I had done most of the planning and best knew the itinerary, so when my friends were asked where we were staying in London, they couldn’t answer. This potentially could have looked suspicious and resulted in more detailed questioning. Luckily the customs agent asked me to join them after they explained the situation, I was able to give the address of where we would be staying, and we quickly were on our way.
The Impact of World Events
Sometimes, things going on in the world outside of the airport impact the types of questions you are asked. For example, if you are traveling from a country with hoof-and-mouth disease, you could be asked if you visited a farm during your travels.
It is very important throughout the process that you tell the truth! For example, if you visited a farm during your travels and tell the agent when asked, you might end up having your shoes inspected for manure, but there is no penalty. If you are caught lying, however, there is a risk of paying expensive fines.
There may also be additional procedures required before entering a country, such as being fingerprinted or scanned for a fever. (Japan was doing this even before Covid.) Again, being cooperative will help things to go more smoothly.
Claiming Your Luggage
Once your passport is stamped, you will likely proceed to baggage claim (unless you picked up your bags prior to talking to the agent). Take your luggage with you and follow the signs. If you have a connecting flight to catch, you will need to recheck your bags. Usually there are signs directing you to do this. If not, right outside of customs you may see a conveyor belt with an airport staff member taking bags. They will probably also want to check your ticket before taking your bag from you.
If you are not at your final destination, it is crucial that you do not leave the secured area of the airport, with or without your luggage, unless you want to go through security again. Keep in mind that many people may be exiting the airport if they are at their final destination, so this is not the best time to blindly follow the crowd. On the other hand, if you are at your final destination, once you’re through customs, you’re free to exit the airport with your luggage.
Hold on to Your Passport!
Because your passport is so crucial in entering a country, whether or not you are a citizen, keep it with you at all times. NEVER put it in your checked luggage or even in carryon luggage if the airline requests to check that luggage at the gate.
Because many airlines are set up so that you will go through customs before you pick up your bags (or if there is any sort of delay in getting your bags), you will not be able to access your passport if it ends up in a checked bag. Without your passport, you can’t get through customs. If you are traveling to another country, without a passport, you likely won’t be allowed to enter the country and will be sent home on the next available flight… and who knows when your luggage will catch up to you. If you are flying back home, you might be able to convince border control officials to let you into the country without your passport, but it’s going to take time and likely will be a bit of a headache to figure out. Keeping your passport with you is the key to making your visit with immigration and customs a positive one, regardless of where your luggage is.
Planning Around the Process
Because many of you reading this post are adventurous travelers who are independently making the arrangements for your flights and travel plans, the last piece of advice involves taking into account the amount of time it takes to get through customs when you are creating your schedule. The most common recommendation is to allow two to three hours between connecting flights if you will be required to go through customs.
Surprisingly, even though airlines have powerful computers that are supposed to figure this out when you are booking your tickets, I have seen them create flight itineraries that allow less than that. It’s important to look carefully at all of the information when you are booking a flight and make sure that you will have enough time between flights, regardless of whether there are long lines in customs
Whew! I know this is a lot of information, but it really isn’t that difficult once you understand the process. As with so many things in life, knowledge is power!
If you have an international flight planned, have you looked up what you are allowed to bring into the country you are visiting and what you need to declare? Have you reviewed what you can bring back home with you as a souvenir?
