Customs Conundrum: Navigating The Ever-Changing World Of Border Entry

Customs and immigration are checkpoints that international travellers must pass through before leaving the airport. In most cases, you will go through customs and immigration after your flight first arrives in a new country, but there are exceptions. For example, some countries have mutual agreements to speed travellers through the process, so you may go through customs and immigration before you board your flight.

When travelling internationally, you will usually need to go through customs and immigration at your final destination. However, if you have a connecting flight, you may need to go through customs and immigration at your layover destination. This depends on factors such as whether the countries are within the Schengen Zone and whether you purchased your tickets separately.

During the customs process, you may be required to fill out a customs declaration form, have your baggage inspected, and answer questions about your trip and the goods you are carrying.

Customs and immigration checkpoints

The process for customs and immigration varies by country, but there are some general patterns. Firstly, you will hand your passport to an officer who will check and stamp it for entry. If the country you are visiting requires a visa or other documents for entry, the immigration officer will check that you have them. You may also be fingerprinted and/or have your photograph taken. The officer may ask you questions about your trip, such as how long you are staying, the purpose of your visit, your accommodation location, and your job title. Alternatively, they may just stamp your passport without asking anything.

Customs checks the items you are bringing into a country. It occurs after passport control and after you have picked up any checked luggage. You may be required to fill out a customs declaration form, either in advance or on arrival, detailing the goods you are bringing into the country. Your baggage may be inspected by customs officials, and you may be asked additional questions about your trip or baggage.

It is important to note that customs and immigration occur both when entering a foreign country and when returning to your home country.

Passport control

During passport control, you will hand your passport to an officer who will check and stamp it for entry. If the country you are visiting requires a visa or other entry documents, the immigration officer will check that you have them. You may also be fingerprinted and/or have your photograph taken. The officer may ask you questions about your trip, such as how long you will be staying, the purpose of your visit, your accommodation, or your job title. Alternatively, they may simply stamp your passport without asking any questions.

Some countries have automated border control or "e-gates" which can shorten the wait time for passport control. With e-gates, you scan your passport and get photographed, so that facial recognition technology can match your face to the image in your passport. If the check is successful, the gate opens, allowing you entry into the country. If not, you will need to see an immigration officer.

In the US, the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app streamlines the passport control process for eligible travellers. The app is free and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Google Play. It is currently available at 52 sites, including 34 US international airports, 14 preclearance locations, and 4 seaports of entry. To use the app, travellers create a profile with their passport information, select their mode of travel and port of entry, answer inspection-related questions, and take a self-photo. Once their submission is processed, they will receive a virtual receipt and can proceed to the designated MPC lane, where they will present their physical passport to a CBP officer for final inspection.

Customs declaration

In some cases, travellers may be required to fill out a customs declaration form in advance or on arrival. In other cases, travellers may only be asked to verbally self-declare on arrival. Some countries may scan everyone's bags through an X-ray machine on entry, regardless of whether they declared anything.

When filling out a customs declaration form, travellers will need to provide detailed descriptions of the items they are carrying. For example, instead of writing "electronics", travellers must specify the type of electronics, such as "computer", "mobile phone", or "television". This helps determine the "HS (Harmonized System) Tariff Code", which is used to calculate applicable duties and taxes.

It is important to accurately declare any goods or items on the customs form to avoid penalties. If a prohibited item is declared, it will likely be confiscated, but there will be no other penalty. However, if a prohibited item is not declared, travellers may face fines or other consequences.

Baggage inspection

The inspection of baggage typically occurs before entering the embarkation area. This means that while it is possible to enter the airport premises without an inspection, boarding an aircraft is not possible without passing through security verification terminals. The inspection process involves checking the contents of packaging, luggage, and any items owned by the user when entering the airport departure area.

X-ray machines are commonly used to inspect baggage and ensure a thorough assessment of luggage and any objects passengers may be carrying. These machines emit radiation beams through luggage to show a picture of its contents on an operator's screen. This allows for the detection of prohibited items without the need to physically search bags.

In addition to X-ray machines, some airports also utilise 3D CT scanners to check hand baggage. These scanners provide security staff with a 360-degree view of the contents and can be rotated on the screen for a more thorough inspection. A detection algorithm is also used in conjunction with the scanners to further analyse the contents of the baggage.

The use of technology in baggage inspection, such as X-ray machines and 3D CT scanners, provides several benefits, including increased accuracy, agility, and efficiency in the inspection process. It helps to ensure the safety of users and professionals by preventing the entry of prohibited materials, flammable products, and illicit items onto aircraft.

Customs fees

The amount of customs duty will be assessed at the point of entry of the destination country. The duty rate is a percentage determined by the total purchased value of the article(s) paid at a foreign country. It is not based on factors such as quality, size, or weight. The Harmonized Tariff System (HTS) provides duty rates for almost every existing item.

The buyer is generally responsible for paying the additional costs such as duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees. However, in some countries, online marketplaces like Etsy are obligated to collect VAT on imported goods and pay this to the tax authorities.

Most customs charges are due once the package arrives in the destination country. The amounts can vary widely and are often based on the price and type of item, package weight and dimensions, origin country, and the taxes, duties, and fees of the destination country.

Frequently asked questions