Lois Larson
Customs and immigration are checkpoints that international travellers must pass through before leaving the airport. Immigration checks your passport and right to enter a country, while customs checks the items you're carrying to ensure they're legal and within limits. In the US, customs are done after immigration. 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. Travellers are also required to fill out a customs declaration form.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance | Strategic stationing of CBP personnel at designated foreign airports to inspect travelers prior to boarding U.S.-bound flights |
| Number of Preclearance locations | 14 international airports |
| Countries with Preclearance locations | Ireland, Aruba, Bermuda, the United Arab Emirates, the Bahamas, and Canada |
| Airports with Preclearance in Canada | Calgary, Toronto, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg |
| Airports with Preclearance in Ireland | Dublin and Shannon |
| Airports with Preclearance in the United Arab Emirates | Abu Dhabi International Airport |
| Airports with Preclearance in Bermuda | L.F. Wade International Airport |
| Airports with Preclearance in the Bahamas | Nassau |
| Purpose of customs | Declare items you're bringing into the country, pay applicable fees, and ensure compliance with import restrictions |
| Items inspected by customs | Food, gifts, alcohol, tobacco, plants, animals, and potentially hazardous items |
| Rights at customs | Officers may not select individuals for a search or questioning based on religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs |
| Rights at customs for US citizens | Only need to answer questions establishing identity and citizenship |
| Rights at customs for lawful permanent residents (LPR) | Only need to answer questions establishing identity and permanent residency |
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What You'll Learn
- Immigration checks your passport and right to enter the US
- Customs checks the items you're carrying to ensure they're legal and within limits
- You may be asked about your trip, how long you'll stay, and what you do for a living
- Customs officers may search your belongings for contraband
- You may be asked about your religious beliefs, but you don't have to answer
Immigration checks your passport and right to enter the US
Immigration checks are carried out by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, who determine whether individuals are admissible to the United States. They verify a person's identity, purpose of visit, and right to enter the country. This involves inspecting travel documents such as passports and visas, if required.
During immigration checks, travellers may be asked a variety of questions to establish their identity and the purpose of their visit. These questions may include inquiries about the nature of the trip, such as whether it is for business or pleasure, the intended duration of the stay, the cities or areas they plan to visit, and their occupation or what they do for a living. It is important to note that officers are not permitted to select individuals for questioning based on factors such as religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs.
In some cases, travellers may encounter additional questioning about their religious or political beliefs and associations. While individuals have the right to decline answering such questions, it is important to be aware that this may result in further inspection or delays in the entry process. However, for US citizens, refusing to answer routine questions about the nature and purpose of their travel could also lead to delays or additional inspections.
At US airports, the immigration process typically involves presenting your passport and any required documentation to an immigration officer, who will verify your identity and right to enter the country. They may ask questions related to your trip and request information about your length of stay, purpose of visit, and other relevant details. It is important to cooperate with the officers and provide honest and accurate information to ensure a smooth entry process.
Additionally, travellers should be prepared to complete any necessary declaration forms, such as the CBP Declaration Form 6059B, which is required for all individuals arriving in the United States. These forms help customs officers assess the items being brought into the country and determine if any customs duties or fees apply.
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Customs checks the items you're carrying to ensure they're legal and within limits
Customs checks are an essential part of the airport security process, ensuring the safety and compliance of items entering a country. When travelling to the US, it's important to understand what items are allowed and prohibited to ensure a smooth customs experience. Here are some key points to consider:
Firstly, customs officers are authorised to inspect travellers' belongings, including luggage and electronic devices. They are looking to ensure that any items you're carrying are legal and within the specified limits. This includes checking for contraband or prohibited goods such as certain types of food, alcohol, tobacco, plants, and gifts. It's important to declare any items you're bringing into the country, especially those acquired during your travels, as failing to do so may result in fines or penalties.
Secondly, the customs process involves assessing duty-free limits and applying customs duties or taxes on goods. Customs duties are essentially taxes levied on goods crossing international borders. While items for personal use are typically exempt from fees, high-value goods or excessive quantities may attract duties or taxes. It's important to be aware of the specific rules and limits for different types of items to avoid unexpected charges or confiscation of items.
Additionally, it's worth noting that some countries have preclearance facilities, including US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) preclearance locations. These facilities allow travellers to clear customs before departing for the US, bypassing the need for further inspections upon arrival. Currently, CBP has preclearance locations in several countries, including Ireland, Aruba, Bermuda, the United Arab Emirates, the Bahamas, and Canada. However, travellers utilising preclearance facilities may need to arrive at the airport earlier to allow sufficient time for the inspection process.
During the customs checks, travellers may be asked a variety of questions by customs officers. These questions can range from the purpose of their trip, intended length of stay, occupation, and destinations within the country. It's important to answer these questions truthfully and provide any requested documentation to facilitate a smooth customs experience.
Lastly, it's important to be aware of your rights during customs checks. Customs officers are prohibited from selecting individuals for questioning or inspection based on factors such as religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs. If you encounter intrusive or improper questioning, you have the right to complain and request to speak to a supervisor. Understanding your rights can help ensure a respectful and lawful customs process.
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You may be asked about your trip, how long you'll stay, and what you do for a living
When arriving at a US airport, you will need to go through customs and immigration. Immigration checks your passport and your right to enter the country, while customs check the items you're carrying to ensure they are legal and within limits. Customs duties apply to certain items like alcohol, tobacco, and gifts. Some goods like meat, produce, and certain plants are prohibited from entering the US without proper approval. Anything you bought, inherited, or received as a gift while travelling may need to be declared at customs. Failing to declare prohibited items could result in fines or penalties, especially for high-value goods.
Upon arriving at the desk of a customs or immigration agent, you may be asked a variety of questions. You may be asked whether your trip is for business or pleasure, how long you will be in the country, what you do for a living, and what cities you will be visiting during your stay. If you are a US citizen, you only need to answer questions establishing your identity and citizenship. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you only need to answer questions establishing your identity and permanent residency. Refusal to answer other questions will likely cause delay, but officials may not deny you entry into the US for failing to answer. If you are a non-citizen visa holder or visitor, you may be denied entry into the US if you refuse to answer officers' questions.
Officers may not select you for questioning based on your religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs. Customs officers have sometimes asked travellers about their religious affiliation, religious practices, association with religious institutions, and political opinions. If you are a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, you do not have to answer questions about your religious beliefs and practices or political opinions, and you cannot be denied entry to the US for declining to answer such questions. If customs officers persist in asking you such questions, you can request to see a supervisor. If the officers' questions become intrusive or improper, you should complain and ask to speak to a supervisor.
In some cases, you may not be asked any questions at all, but that is increasingly rare. When you go through the same process on your way home, you will be asked a similar set of questions—such as where you were on your trip, how long you spent there, and what you are bringing back with you. This last question is often phrased as, "Do you have anything to declare?"
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Customs officers may search your belongings for contraband
The authority for customs officers to conduct these searches is derived from federal statutes and regulations, including 19 C.F.R. 162.6, which states that "All persons, baggage and merchandise arriving in the Customs territory of the United States from places outside thereof are liable to inspection by a CBP officer." The "border search exception" is a legal principle that allows customs officers to search belongings at borders without a warrant or probable cause. This exception relates to the Fourth Amendment, which generally protects individuals against warrantless searches of their personal property.
Customs officers may also ask about your religious affiliation, religious practices, association with religious institutions, and political opinions. However, they may not select you for a personal search or secondary inspection based on your religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs. If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you do not have to answer questions about your religious beliefs and practices or political opinions, and you cannot be denied entry for declining to answer such questions.
If you are a non-citizen visa holder or visitor, you may be denied entry into the United States if you refuse to answer officers' questions. If you fear persecution or torture if sent back to your country of origin, you should inform the customs officer and request asylum.
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You may be asked about your religious beliefs, but you don't have to answer
When you arrive at a US airport, you will need to go through customs and immigration. Immigration checks your passport and your right to enter the country, while customs checks the items you're carrying to ensure they're legal and within limits. Customs duties apply to certain items like alcohol, tobacco, and gifts. Some goods like meat, produce, and certain plants are prohibited from entering the US without proper approval. Anything you bought, inherited, or received as a gift while travelling may need to be declared at customs. Failing to declare prohibited items could result in fines or penalties, especially for high-value goods.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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. Officers may not select you for a personal search or secondary inspection based on your religion, race, national origin, gender, ethnicity, or political beliefs. However, customs officers have sometimes asked travellers about their religious affiliation, religious practices, association with religious institutions, and political opinions. The travellers targeted for such questioning have often been Muslim. Questioning individuals about their religious and political beliefs, associations, and practices can infringe upon rights guaranteed by the Constitution and federal law. These rights are not surrendered at the border.
If you are a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, you do not have to answer questions about your religious beliefs and practices or political opinions, and you cannot be denied entry to the United States for declining to answer such questions. If you are a lawful permanent resident who has maintained your status, you only have to answer questions establishing your identity and permanent residency. Refusal to answer other questions will likely cause delay, but officials may not deny you entry into the United States for failure to answer. If customs officers persist in asking you questions about your religious or political beliefs, you can request to see a supervisor. You may also wish to have the telephone number of an attorney or legal services organisation with you and ask to contact them if you feel your rights are being violated.
It is important to note that there are some airports outside of the US that have preclearance facilities offered by CBP, allowing travellers to clear customs before flying to the US. With preclearance, travellers bypass CBP and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspections upon arrival in the US and proceed directly to their connecting flight or destination. Currently, CBP has preclearance locations at airports in six countries: two in Ireland, one in Aruba, one in Bermuda, one in the United Arab Emirates, one in the Bahamas, and eight across Canada.
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Frequently asked questions
Customs is the process of declaring any items you are bringing into the US and paying any applicable fees. Customs officers may inspect your bags, and if you've exceeded allowances or brought prohibited items, you may be fined or have items confiscated. You may also be asked questions about the nature and purpose of your travel.
Items that need to be declared at US customs include gifts, food, alcohol, tobacco, and plants.
If you are not leaving the airport, you won't need to go through customs for a connecting flight. However, if your connecting flight is in the same country as your final destination, you'll likely need to claim your bags and re-check them, which will involve going through customs.
