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What to Expect When Traveling Abroad: Immigration & Customs Edition
Planning for your first trip abroad? Instead of merely showing your driver’s license, you suddenly need your passport and, in some cases, a Visa. Today’s post will prepare you for what to expect at check-in, what usually happens upon arrival in a foreign country, and the formalities of re-entering the United States.
AT THE AIRPORT: The first major difference you will notice is that on-line check-in is sometimes restricted for international flights, depending on your destination. This is because a representative from the airline needs to check your documents prior to accepting your baggage and giving you your boarding pass. Because of this notion, plan to get to the airport a little earlier than normal in case of long lines. Once you are at the counter, show your passport and you’ll be on your way!
UPON ARRIVAL IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY: If you had to obtain a Visa prior to departure (countries like Brazil, China, and Vietnam, among others, require this), this document will be inserted into your passport and will need to be shown to government officials upon arrival. The flight attendants may also pass out additional paperwork which you should fill out on the plane to expedite your arrival processing. Typically, there is a standard immigration form as well as a customs form, which is a declaration of what you are bringing into the country. Since the days of Avian Flu and H1N1, many countries have also started passing out a health questionnaire in-flight which asks about your health in the days before you boarded your aircraft. And furthermore, on a trip to Russia this past summer, I wasn’t allowed to disembark from my plane until my temperature was taken by this contraption that basically scanned your head!
Once you are off the airplane, you will be sequestered to a certain area of the airport to undergo Immigration & Custom formalities. Have you passport as well as any documents you completed on the plane handy to expedite the process. Once you’re at the counter with the government personnel, they may ask you questions about your visit (examples: whether your trip is business or pleasure, where you will be staying, etc). This is also when your passport will get stamped (if the country does so). Avoid using your phone or camera during this process as it is typically not allowed.
After you have moved through the documentation process, you will need to re-claim your luggage and then pass through Customs. When entering a country, you won’t typically have anything to declare but check the forms to be precise. After, you enter the arrivals hall where your friends, family, or tour operator will meet you. If you are traveling independently, there are usually counters to get a taxi or signs to point you to the train or bus station.
COMING BACK TO THE US: Coming back home, as a US citizen, is much simpler. Only one form is required (Customs declaration). After you disembark your aircraft, you will proceed to Immigration where someone from U.S. Customs & Border Patrol will scan your passport, review your Customs declaration, and usually ask you a question or two about your trip. Remember, you can only approach the Immigration counter with members of your family. If you are traveling with friends, you will need to wait in line for separate transactions.
After, you will re-claim your baggage and then turn in your Customs Declaration. If you did buy something subject to inspection, this is when someone will check your bag. But, if you adhered to the stated limits, you should be clear to pass. From here, you proceed to exit the terminal or find the gate for your connecting flight.
While this seems overwhelming, after a few trips, you will have the routine down pat! Have a follow-up question? Post a question in our Travel Forums or a leave a comment here.
