When do you go through customs on international flights? When taking an International flight, customs and immigration can be very confusing for many travellers, especially those who don’t do it often. There isn’t a single way to enter every country, but some trends and commonalities can help you know what to expect when you get there. This guide is meant to help make the process less mysterious.
Control of passports vs. Customs
Sometimes, “customs” and “passport control” are used interchangeably, but they are not. Customs and passport checking are part of the two-step process of entering a country. At some locations, checking passports is called ‘immigration’ or ‘border security.’ This step, overseen by the immigration office of the country, is crucial as it verifies your official permission to enter the country.
When do you go through customs on International flights? When you enter a country, customs checks the things you brought. It happens after you check your passport and pick up your checked bags from the baggage claim.
Getting through borders on an International Flight
Each country has its own rules about customs and immigration, but here’s how it usually works: You present your passport to the officer, who will carefully check it and stamp it, granting you entry. The immigration officer will then verify if you have the necessary papers, like a visa, to enter the country you’re going to.
You might get your fingerprints taken and a picture made. There are two options: the officer could ask you how long you’re staying, why you’re there, where you’re living, or what your job is, or they could stamp your passport without asking anything. In some countries, you may need to keep the ticket you get when you enter the country and return it when you leave.
For travellers from certain countries, automatic border control, also known as “e-gates,” can greatly cut the wait time for passport control. When you go through an e-gate, you usually have to scan your passport and have your picture taken so that facial recognition technology can match your picture to the picture in your passport. If this check goes well, the gate will open and let you enter the country. They will need to see you as soon as possible if not.
Some countries may need you to fill out a statement form before you arrive or when you get there for customs purposes. In other situations, you may only be asked to say something about yourself when you get there. When travellers enter some countries, their bags may be scanned by an X-ray machine, even if nothing is reported.
I have a stopover on a flight between countries. Do I have to go through customs?
If your flight doesn’t stop, you only have to go through customs and immigration once when you fly internationally. This will happen at the airport where you arrive.
It doesn’t matter if you have a layover as long as you have a single ticket and your bags are checked to your final location. Most of the time, you only have to go through customs and immigration once when you get to your final location.
If you’re going from the U.S. to Cairo with a short stopover in Doha, you would only have to go through customs and immigration when you get to Cairo. Your carry-on things will be checked at the airport where you’re connecting. You won’t have to pick up or recheck your bags often.
Some things aren’t always like this, though. If you buy different tickets for each flight, you will most often have to go through customs and immigration to get your bags and recheck them for the next flight.
Ensure your stay is long enough to allow for the extra time you’ll need to go through security and customs and check your bags again before leaving. Since you have separate tickets, the second airline doesn’t have to rebook you or make accommodations if your first trip is late.
Another time this isn’t true is when travelling to European countries in the Schengen Area. Most European Union countries are in the Schengen Area, except for Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, and Romania (though Bulgaria and Romania are in the process of joining). The Schengen Area comprises non-EU countries like Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
In this case, when you get to your first entry point into the E.U., you go through immigration. From the U.S. to France and then to Spain, you would have to go through customs in France because that is where you enter the E.U. After that, you usually have to go through security with your carry-on bags before getting on your connecting flight. You go through customs and get your checked bags when you reach your final stop.
Lastly, you must go through customs if you leave the airport during a long stay.
Do holidays to the U.S. require me to go through customs?
When you enter the U.S., you’ll usually have to go through a passport check and customs at your first entry point. Let’s say you’re taking a flight from Rome to Atlanta and Kansas City. You are going to Kansas City but must go through customs when you get to Atlanta. To get to Kansas City, you must get through customs first and then get your checked bags in Atlanta.
If your exit airport has something called “preclearance,” you don’t have to go through customs at the U.S. entry point. With preclearance, Customs and Border Patrol agents check travellers before they leave for flights that go to the U.S. In other words, once you get to the U.S., you can skip customs, leave the airport, or go straight to your next trip.
Preclearance is available in 15 places in six countries. These include several towns in Canada, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Aruba, Ireland, and Abu Dhabi. Here is a full list of all the places where you can get preclearance. Your exit airport may offer preclearance, but you must allow extra time to go through customs before your flight.
What is the duration of the customs process?
Several things can change how long it takes to clear customs. You might only have to wait a short time, or you might have to wait hours. Here are some things to think about and ways you might be able to cut down on the wait:
Where you sat on the flight
Maybe you’re not sure why where your seat is important for customs and immigration. If everyone gets off the flight through the same door, the closer you are to the front, the faster you can get off.
Travellers sitting in the back will have to wait much longer to get through customs and immigration than one of the first travellers off the flight. Avoid taking side trips as you walk from the flight to border control. Going to the toilet could put you at the back of the queue, making you wait longer.
How many other flights landed simultaneously with yours
Several flights may be planning to touch down in many International spots simultaneously. To be clear, you must get through customs before the travellers on your flight and those on other flights. You’ll get through customs much faster if you look up flight times ahead of time or happen to get to your destination when there aren’t many travellers there.
Using services for quick entry
One way to speed up the entry process in the U.S. is to use Global Entry or the Mobile Passport app. The Mobile Passport is free, and as a perk, many travel rewards credit cards will cover the cost of Global Entry with a credit on your account.
If you want to skip the lines at customs, you can pay extra for fast-track or VIP services at some international airports. Before you leave, it’s a good idea to look into the services at the airport where you’ll be landing at your location. You may need to book ahead of time for some events, but you can also sign up for them when you get there.
Whether you checked your bags or only brought carry-ons
If you only bring a carry-on bag, you will get to the customs desk faster because you must claim all your bags before leaving. Waiting for your checked bags can make getting in take a lot longer.
Filling through customs and checking bags
You must go through customs after getting your checked bags from baggage claim. If you didn’t check any bags, you can skip the baggage claim line and go straight to customs with your carry-on bags.
All of your bags, whether checked or carry-on, may be inspected at customs. Sometimes, everyone is screened, and only those who have said anything are checked other times. Sometimes, it’s just random.
If you think something you want to bring with you might not be allowed or taxed, looking up a country’s customs limits and banned things is helpful. This will save you a lot of trouble when you go through customs. World Flight Vibes can help you determine what items might not be allowed elsewhere.
When do you go through customs on International flights? There may be things you don’t know or stress you out before entering a country. Does your luggage weigh less than what the flight allows? Are you carrying any things that aren’t allowed? (Be careful with food and plants.) Do you need a permit? Do you need to fill out any forms for your arrival before you leave? When do you have to go through customs when flying between countries?
Knowing the answers to these questions can make your arrival much quicker. With World Flight Vibes, you can find flights to anywhere. This way, you can return to your trip and have a great time with Good Vibes Only!
