Do you get your bags before or after immigration?

After clearing immigration, proceed to the baggage reclaim area to collect your bags.



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To get your baggage: After clearing immigration, proceed to the baggage reclaim area to collect your bags. If you are on an international flight connecting to a U.S. destination, make sure you claim your baggage before going through U.S. Customs.

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Generally, customs officers may stop people at the border to determine whether they are admissible to the United States, and they may search people's belongings for contraband. This is true even if there is nothing suspicious about you or your luggage.

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  1. Line your suitcase with a protective covering. ...
  2. Roll your clothes to maximize space. ...
  3. Use packing cubes to save space. ...
  4. Place your first-day essentials last. ...
  5. Stuff shoes with socks. ...
  6. Put toiletries in a waterproof bag. ...
  7. Get a hard shell suitcase. ...
  8. Use vacuum-sealed bags to save space.


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Officials will review your required passenger travel documents (passport, visa, green card, disembarkation card (provided by a flight attendant during flight), immunization documentation, letters of confirmation or support, etc.)

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Prepare for Likely Questions From U.S. CBP Officials
  • Why are you visiting the United States? ...
  • Where will you be staying? ...
  • Who will you be visiting? ...
  • How long will you be staying in the U.S.? If you're coming in with an immigrant visa (have been approved for U.S. permanent residence), you won't likely be asked this.


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In most cases, you'll go through customs and immigration after your flight first arrives in a new country, but there are exceptions. For example, some countries have mutual agreements intended to help speed travelers through the process, so you may go through customs and immigration before you board.

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No citizen of a country can be denied entry to their home country. It is the internationally recognized “right of return.” Upon return they can be detained on customs issues or arrested on new charges or outstanding warrants but they cannot be denied reentry.

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You'll need to clear customs and immigration. Next, you'll recheck your luggage for the domestic flight. Finally, you'll need to go through Transportation Security Administration screening. This may include a physical inspection of your luggage and personal items with a metal detector or a full-body scan.

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