Do you go through U.S. Customs?

Everyone arriving at a port of entry to the U.S. is subject to inspection by Customs and Border Protection officers for compliance with immigration, customs and agriculture regulations. The more international travelers know about what to expect, the easier and quicker the process becomes.



Yes, if you are arriving in the United States from an international location, you must go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at your first port of entry. For example, if you fly from London to Los Angeles with a connection in New York, you will clear customs in New York. In 2026, the process is heavily digitized. Most passengers now use Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks or the "Mobile Passport Control" app to submit their declarations. You must declare all food, plants, and currency over $10,000. A critical "trap" for 2026 travelers is the federal status of cannabis; even if you are landing in a state where it is legal, bringing it through an airport (which is federal jurisdiction) is a serious crime. Additionally, unlike in Europe, you must usually collect your checked bags at your first U.S. stop, walk them through the customs area, and then drop them back at a re-check belt for your connecting flight.

People Also Ask

When do you go through customs on international flights? 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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Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.

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Also, anything you bring back that you did not have when you left the United States must be declared. For example, you would declare alterations made in a foreign country to a suit you already owned, and any gifts you acquired outside the United States.

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All travelers must complete a CBP Declaration Form 6059B itemizing all purchased merchandise and agricultural products. Here are your options: Complete a paper form that may be obtained at the port of entry or on the flight or cruise.

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Do You Have To Go Through Customs During A Layover? Customs and immigration are usually required at the connecting airport for international flights. You don't always have to for domestic flights. In most cases, passengers on layover flights must clear customs and immigration at the first point of entry.

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While on your flight, your flight attendant will distribute a Customs Declaration Form. Most forms ask the point of exit and entry of your flight, your flight number, and what goods you may be bringing into the country (forms might list prohibited items for the respective country).

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Yes, because you have to get your checked bag(if you checked any), then you have to go through customs as you came from a different Country(must go through customs even if you didn't check bags), then you re check you bags ( if you originally checked bags), then you have to go through security again.

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Yes, because you have to get your checked bag(if you checked any), then you have to go through customs as you came from a different Country(must go through customs even if you didn't check bags), then you re check you bags ( if you originally checked bags), then you have to go through security again.

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The US has preclearance facilities in six countries
  • Ireland: Dublin Airport (DUB) and Shannon Airport (SNN)
  • Aruba: Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)
  • Bermuda: L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA)
  • Bahamas: Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)
  • United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)


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CBP agents may swipe through your phone or look through the documents on your com- puter. The government also claims the authority to copy the data on your electronic devices.

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If your itinerary was purchased as one ticket (as in: you have only one itinerary and one confirmation number), and the connection time was too short and you miss the second (or third) flight, you can rest easy, no matter what happens. The airline will simply put you onto the next available flight, free of charge.

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While, generally, the airline won't wait for connecting passengers, there might be some exceptions. If a flight is delayed, and there are many passengers who are connecting from this delayed flight onto the same connecting flight, the airline will hold the connecting flight for these passengers.

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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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You do not have to declare jewelry that you own, travelled with and are returning to the US still carrying/wearing. However, if you bought a watch or jewelry while you were abroad, you must declare it but that doesn't mean you have to pay taxes on it. What is a reasonable amount of jewelry for a man to wear?

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