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.

That depends on whether you are on an international or domestic flight, and whether you are arriving or departing.

Here’s the breakdown for the most common scenario — arriving on an international flight:

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For International Arrivals:

You pick up your checked luggage BEFORE going through customs (in the country you’re entering).

Typical process: 1. Deplane → go to arrivals area. 2. Passport Control / Immigration → officers check your passport/visa. 3. Baggage Claim → collect your checked luggage from the carousel. 4. Customs → you proceed with your luggage to the customs inspection area. You may need to declare items or be subject to random checks. 5. Exit → after clearing customs, you can leave the airport or recheck bags if you have a connecting flight.

Reason: Customs officials need to see what you are bringing into the country, so you must have your luggage with you when you go through customs.

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For International Departures:

You check your luggage before security and passport control (if departing internationally). You won’t see it again until you arrive at your destination.

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For Domestic Flights (within the same country):

You pick up luggage after arriving at your destination, but there is no customs process (unless arriving from an international flight with a domestic connection — see below).

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Important Exception — International to Domestic Connection:

If you fly into a country and then take a connecting domestic flight: 1. You’ll usually go through immigration first. 2. Then collect your