Do you go through customs before or after entering us?

Usually, when you land in the US from a foreign country, you go through a customs inspection in the first US city you land in. However, if you're flying from one of 14 designated airports with preclearance facilities offered by Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, you clear customs before you fly.



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Usually, you go through customs when you exit the airport at your final destination. However, if you have a layover in a different city in your destination country, you may need to go through customs before your connecting flight.

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Breaking Down the Customs Clearance Process
  1. Paperwork Verification. A customs officer verifies that the paperwork completed for shipments are correct. ...
  2. Customs Officer Check. A customs officer will see what fees may be applied to a shipment. ...
  3. Payments, Tax, Duties. ...
  4. Release of Shipment.


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For international arrivals in the USA and many other countries, you will have to go through security again after you clear immigration and customs.

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A traveler only goes through customs and immigration once, upon entry to the country. The only possible reasons to go through customs and immigration twice would be: the second inspection is preclearance prior to onward travel to a second country, and. returning from a duty-free port.

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Make sure you allow enough time to clear customs and get to your connecting flight. As a general rule, it's best to allow at least two hours for international layovers. Pack smart: Avoid packing any prohibited items in your carry-on or checked baggage.

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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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Allow enough time: Customs can be time-consuming, especially during peak travel periods. Make sure you allow enough time to clear customs and get to your connecting flight. As a general rule, it's best to allow at least two hours for international layovers.

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Travelers should declare all items being brought from abroad that will remain in the United States. This includes gifts and duty-free purchases. Goods purchased in a duty-free shop are not automatically free of duty upon your return to the United States.

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Trusted Traveler Program Enrollment
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.

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