What is the difference between customs and passport control?

“Immigration” is about the people traveling from one country to another. It's sometimes called “passport control” or “border control” depending on the airport. “Customs” is about the stuff those people are carrying with them.



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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.

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passport control | Business English the place at an airport, port, or border of a country where an official checks your passport: It can take a while to go through passport control at the airport.

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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.

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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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You can go through immigration without your luggage, but customs will be located after baggage claim.

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Baggage claim is in between passport control and customs. The reason you have to claim your baggage before customs, is to give you a chance to declare the required goods. Additionally, it gives customs a chance to identify suspicious passengers, and then pick them for checks on the way through.

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How to board international flight step by step
  • Check in for your flight. ...
  • Check your baggage and get your ticket. ...
  • Go through the security checkpoint. ...
  • Go through immigration. ...
  • Find your gate. ...
  • Board your flight.


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Only a passport is needed to enter Italy from the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and other European countries. No visas, no vaccinations (unless you're traveling from a known infected area). Getting through customs is typically a lax affair, with the customs officers barely taking notice of your presence.

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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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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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Check in. Once you enter the airport, the first thing you should do is check in (if you haven't done so already online). Many airlines allow you to check in online 24 hours before your flight.

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Copies of all identification documents for travel
Having photocopies of your important travel documents can save you a headache if you lose your important travel documents. Keep your original documents in your carry-on or personal item. You can store one copy of these identification documents in each checked bag.

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Can customs open your luggage? Yes, customs officials have the authority to open and inspect luggage when you are entering a country. Customs officials have the right to search your luggage, bags, and personal items to ensure that you are not carrying any prohibited or restricted items.

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Once you're there, passport control can take anything from thirty to around ninety minutes. Fiumicino is often under-staffed and you may well find only two or three immigration booths open to deal with hundreds of passengers.

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