What is the difference between customs and passport control? (2024)

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.

When flying internationally when do you go through customs?

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.

What does it mean to go through customs at the airport?

"In customs" at the airport refers to the process of clearing goods and passengers through customs authorities. This involves the inspection of luggage and the declaration of any dutiable or prohibited items. Passengers may also be subject to questioning by customs officers.

What is passport control?

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. (Definition of passport control from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Do you have to go through security after customs?

You'll need to clear customs and immigration. Next, you'll recheck your luggage for the domestic flight. Finally, you'll need to go through Transportation Security Administration screening. This may include a physical inspection of your luggage and personal items with a metal detector or a full-body scan.

Do all international flights have to go through customs?

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.

Do you go through customs on connecting flight or final destination?

If you have multiple connecting flights, you may have to go through customs depending on your specific itinerary. In some cases, you may need to go through customs at your final destination, while in other cases, you may have to go through customs at each transit point.

Do I get my luggage before going through customs?

After clearing immigration, proceed to the baggage reclaim area to collect your bags. If you are on an international flight connecting to a U.S. destination, make sure you claim your baggage before going through U.S. Customs.

What do they check when you go through customs?

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.

Does customs go through your luggage?

Customs might go through your luggage

In some areas, they may send your luggage through a scanner, but one of the biggest questions on everyone's minds is: does customs go through your luggage? The answer: they have the right to do so, but often they do not.

How do I get through passport control?

What are the advantages of passport control?

Do I need to go through passport control?

You'll need to come through UK border control. As long as you're prepared, immigration should be easy and straightforward! Just make sure you've got your passport and supporting documents (e.g. visas and landing cards) and you'll be all set. Speed up your journey with fastTRACK Passport Control.

When returning to the US when do you go through customs?

Usually, when you land in the US from a foreign country, you go through a customs inspection in the first US city you land in. However, if you're flying from one of 14 designated airports with preclearance facilities offered by Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, you clear customs before you fly.

Is customs just TSA?

The TSA are responsible for providing security for air travel. They have nothing to do with customs, and don't care if passengers are domestic or international. The other organisation is customs and border protection (CBP). Their focus is on who and what is coming into the country.

Can customs open TSA locks?

TSA locks have a keyhole, which implies that there should be a corresponding key. Well, there is a key, but it is only used by US Customs Officers and other Customs Officers around the world if they want to look in your case. This means they don't have to cut open your case if they want to look at the contents.

What documents do I need to go through customs?

Does TSA PreCheck work for international flights?

TSA PreCheck® is available when you depart from a U.S. airport to a foreign country, and for domestic, connecting flights after you return to the United States.

What are the steps at the airport for international flights?

How does customs work if I have a connecting flight?

In almost all cases, if your bags are checked through to your final destination and you already have your onward boarding pass, you'll go through transit security when you land at your connecting airport instead of customs.

How long of a layover do you need to get through customs?

Two to three hours is the minimum recommended time for an international layover, but more might be needed.

Do airlines wait for connecting passengers?

The short answer is sometimes, but not always. Airlines may or may not hold a plane for connecting flyers depending on the circ*mstances. In this in-depth guide, we'll explore the key factors that determine if your connecting flight will wait or depart on time.

What is the fastest way to get through customs?

Trusted Traveler Program Enrollment

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States by accessing the Global Entry processing technology at selected airports.

Is luggage automatically transferred on connecting flights?

When layover flights are booked with the same airline, your baggage will be automatically transferred through to your final destination. However, if the two flights are with different airlines, you may have to claim and re-check your baggage during your layover.

How do I get through customs fast?