Customs Action Steps
- Complete the Customs Declaration Form while on the flight.
- Ask questions to your flight attendant or traveling companions as needed.
- Declare any goods you have with you that might have restrictions, and/or goods you purchased in country when returning to your home country.
Officials at customs and immigration are checking travelers for things like whether they have the right documents to be in the country, whether they're legally allowed to be there, and whether they're bringing anything illegal with them.
MORE DETAILS
Most forms ask the point of exit and entry of your flight, your flight number, what goods you may be bringing into the country (forms might list prohibited items for the respective country). Complete the Customs Declaration form while on the flight. Ask your flight attendant or traveling companions questions as needed.
MORE DETAILS
5. 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.
MORE DETAILS
Generally speaking, you collect your luggage after immigration (passport) control, but before customs control. However, if you are a transit passenger, you may not have to collect your baggage at all. This depends on which airport/country you are passing through and whether or not a change of airline is involved.
MORE DETAILS
If you are wondering “do you go through customs when leaving the U.S.”, the answer is no. All countries have customs inspection procedures at borders and international airports. However, only passengers entering a country are subject to customs inspection.
MORE DETAILS
Yes. Contrary to opinions expressed here customs can, if they wish, search checked luggage in front of the passenger.
MORE DETAILS
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.
MORE DETAILS
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.
MORE DETAILS
As long as you keep your liquid or aerosol deodorant in a container that is smaller than 3.4 ounces (100ml) and store it in a quart-sized, zip-top bag, you shouldn't have a problem traveling with it. There are no restrictions for packing solid deodorants in your carry-on luggage.
MORE DETAILS
Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.
MORE DETAILS
Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion.
MORE DETAILS
Without pre-clearance, anticipate as much as an hour at worst, and 5 minutes at best. And, if that's going to be too annoying to handle, use the tools available to pick an airport with efficient customs staff who won't hang around.
MORE DETAILS
It's important to remember to hand in your paper I-94 when leaving the United States, since that's how the U.S. government will track your departure and know that you left the country before your visa expired. You'll use information from your I-94 travel record for many immigration purposes.
MORE DETAILS