Customs and immigration covers a range of border control procedures (referred to as 'immigration' in most countries other than US) and import of goods.
47
votes
15answers
14k views
Why would you wrap your luggage in plastic?
At many airports you can wrap your luggage with sheets of sticky plastic. Why on earth would you do that? I only see disadvantages. I can imagine the mess when customs ask you to open your luggage. So ...
33
votes
4answers
851 views
Your address at destination: What if you don't know any address?
Often, when entering a country, you must fill a form that asks, in particular, where you will stay.
What if you don't know yet?
Even worse, what if you don't have your guidebook in hand luggage, and ...
27
votes
6answers
3k views
What can I do to prevent passport stamps being put on blank pages?
I'm running low on blank passport pages which are sometimes needed for full page visas such as those issued by Armenia, India, and Vietnam.
When I crossed the border into Turkey the other day I got ...
18
votes
4answers
711 views
Laptop Searches by Customs - UK and US
I'll be traveling to the UK (London) on a study abroad in the spring and will be bring my laptop for school and intern purposes. I was just curious what/if any rights UK customs has to search laptops ...
18
votes
1answer
881 views
How can I travel to Germany with my dog?
I will be traveling to Germany (from the USA) in a few months and hope to bring my dog, a 10 lb Chihuahua-mix. I would like to do this with a minimum of difficulty, so I am hoping to hear the ...
16
votes
5answers
5k views
What is the minimum time to consider with a connecting flight in the USA?
Given the extensive time taken for immigration formalities in the US, what is the shortest time to consider between connecting flights in the US, when coming from abroad?
Until now I have always ...
16
votes
3answers
3k views
Do I have to enter the UK on my UK passport?
I'm a British National (Overseas), which basically means that while I don't have the right of abode in the UK, I am permitted to visit the UK without a visa. However, my passport has expired, and ...
15
votes
2answers
449 views
What's the value of the “genocide” and similar questions on the US customs form I-94?
It's been a while since I’ve been to the United States, so I’m not sure whether it’s still being used, but I remember having to always fill out form I-94 which asked some odd questions: such as ...
15
votes
3answers
432 views
Declaring illegal substances at customs - what would happen?
I've always wondered this. Occasionally I declare medicines, or wood carvings or whatever when going through customs. The point of asking you to declare these things is so that they can inspect and ...
14
votes
2answers
512 views
Can I Import honey to Norway?
My mother has a few beehives and she is producing honey for home use. I am traveling to Norway in a few days and I'd like to bring one jar (1 kg) of honey to my friend there. I am a resident of Bosnia ...
14
votes
3answers
356 views
How do customs and immigration work in a sailboat?
So, I have this crazy dream. I'd love to purchase a little sailboat, make my way down the East Coast, across the Carribean, down South America, and end up in the Falklands, maybe Tierra Del Fuego, ...
14
votes
3answers
251 views
How to enter East Jerusalem and who controls the separation with the western part
Can non-Muslim people from non-Muslim countries (EU) enter the part of Jerusalem where the famous mosque with yellow top is located?
Are the police (or guards) at the entrance Israeli or Palestinian?
...
14
votes
3answers
1k views
TrueCrypt Volumes: Will it cause any trouble?
From various sources (mainly friends and dubious internet sites) I heard that you can get in trouble if you have encrypted volumes/files on your laptop while entering USA. Apparently they assume that ...
14
votes
1answer
518 views
Couldn't return papers to border officials last time. Should I be afraid when going back to USA?
Three years ago I was on holidays in Canada and visited the Niagara Falls. I also went to the American side of the falls and got something like a "short-term visa". I also got a green paper with all ...
14
votes
2answers
424 views
What questions should I be able to answer when entering USA?
Last time I entered USA, the border officer asked me a lot of questions. Some of them were quite personal and others were about my destination in the USA. For example he asked my where I would stay. I ...
14
votes
2answers
466 views
What to expect at Chinese customs when bringing in items for friends who live there?
I am taking a trip to Shanghai next week to see some friends. They have requested that I bring a few items with me to give to them that are difficult (or expensive) for them to obtain where they ...
14
votes
1answer
260 views
Can you eat food refused by quarantine by Australian border control?
If some food you're bringing in is refused by quarantine, are they sometimes willing to let you eat it? Assume there isn't a massive queue behind you and the officer is in a good mood.
Background: I ...
14
votes
1answer
303 views
Do I really have to register with the police when staying with a friend in Croatia?
Situation: I'm a German in the UK. I'll be traveling from London to Zagreb next week and staying at a friends house.
The UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office says:
Unless staying at a hotel or ...
13
votes
3answers
261 views
Is there an international language at sea?
When the Russian pilot of an Aeroflot jet is approaching Moscow's airport staffed by Russian Air Traffic controllers, convention still holds that everybody is speaking English. Even if that English ...
13
votes
2answers
3k views
What happens if you miss a connecting flight?
What happens if you book tickets through an airline or travel agent, but on the travel date miss a connecting flight (either because the first flight was delayed, or because immigration/security took ...
13
votes
2answers
607 views
Bringing a camping knife to Japan
And before you ask, YES, it is for camping.
I have travelled to Japan a couple times and enjoyed it. I know Japan law allows knifes of a certain size (under 6cm the last time I checked, but I'll look ...
13
votes
2answers
2k views
How long does it take for a Global Entry application to be approved?
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection runs a program called Global Entry, allowing low-risk travelers to complete an application, submit to a background check and interview, and eventually be ...
13
votes
3answers
388 views
Proving onward travel on a South America tour
My question is related to / inspired by Does Colombia require proof of onward travel?
but isn't quite the same.
I'm thinking of a trip around South America (from Europe) such that:
I would not ...
12
votes
2answers
1k views
Can I take chocolate to Australia?
Australia is well known for having very strict rules on what food and plant-based materials can be brought into the country, to try to keep the country free of diseases. Some food/animal/plant things ...
12
votes
1answer
167 views
Can I import homebrewed alcohol to Norway?
In Norway, as far as I know, the sale of all alcohol is nationalized. I'm going to visit my friend there, and his parents want to send him a bottle (He is from Slovakia, same as myself). Is it legal ...
12
votes
1answer
491 views
Will a UAE stamp in my passport cause problems entering Israel?
I will be traveling to Israel soon and am concerned because some colleagues have suggested that the visa stamps in my passport from the United Arab Emirates (eg Dubai) might cause me difficulties on ...
11
votes
1answer
815 views
Is it really forbidden to cross the Indian border with Indian rupee?
Last week I tried to exchange some Swiss Francs into Indian rupees. For that I visited a big bank and they told me that they have rupees but I'm not allowed to import any into India. Is this really ...
11
votes
3answers
614 views
New H1B arrival, what do I need for the port of entry?
I just got my newly-approved H1B visa stamped into my (UK) passport and am flying to America in a week. Besides my stamped passport, and my I-797B (Notice of Action) document, is there any other ...
11
votes
3answers
821 views
Peacock feather a prohibited item?
I'm spending the summer in London and recently took a trip to Kew to visit the botanical gardens. While there I found a beautiful peacock feather that a friend of mine back in the US would love. ...
11
votes
2answers
840 views
What happens if you lose your passport at an airport / during transit?
Once, when flying from India to the UK, I left my passport on the plane's seat-back pocket and forgot that I left it there until I reached the passport control desks. Fortunately in this case, I ...
11
votes
1answer
2k views
What happens if you arrive in Malaysia with a one-way ticket but are asked for proof of onward travel?
As we know, most countries require that visitors have a return or onward ticket as a condition of entry.
But often, depending on where you're from and which country you're visiting, you won't be ...
11
votes
1answer
304 views
Lost passport with Schengen visa
My passport was stolen in Prague on my way to Vienna. I filed a police report and our embassy swiftly acted by giving me a temporary passport for my onward journey to Munich and Rome. Upon exit from ...
10
votes
5answers
2k views
Dual nationality, EU and Australian. Does it matter which passport is “travelled on”
I plan to visit Australia from the UK, I am an Australian national with dual nationality - I also hold a Greek passport. I have all the correct documentation and everything is fine.
However, if I ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
One-way tickets into the US and Canada?
So I have a series of weird flights I can use to get to Bangkok from London with a stop in Vancouver, where it may actually be cheaper for me to fly to Vancouver, bus down to LA/San Fran, and then fly ...
10
votes
3answers
1k views
Amtrak Cascades from Seattle to Vancouver - What is the border crossing like northbound?
I'm pondering using the Amtrack Cascades train to get from Seattle up to Vancouver. The ticket price seems pretty good, the views are supposed to be great, and it seems to be fairly quick too!
When ...
10
votes
3answers
401 views
Can I bring my desktop computer as check-in baggage on a flight?
I am moving from Malaysia to the US, and planning to bring my desktop computer with me. I plan to pack it in my checked-in luggage. Will the computer risk being damaged? Any precaution should I take ...
10
votes
2answers
952 views
Entry into US with unpaid medical bills and ticket for careless driving
While on vacation in the US last year, my wife and I was in a traffic accident. My wife had to spend more than a week in hospital before we could fly home. Our insurance is covering everything, but we ...
10
votes
2answers
343 views
How does VIP service work at the Managua Airport?
At the Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (the airport in Managua, Nicaragua), I have heard there is a VIP service you can pay for, where an agent will meet you when disembarking from the plane ...
10
votes
1answer
3k views
How much money can you take into Canada?
I'll be travelling to Canada from the UK in the near future. Is there a limit to how much money I can carry with me? Ideally I'd like to take 5,000 CAD in order to sort out some legitimate family ...
10
votes
1answer
401 views
US Customs Pre-clearance in foreign airports
Recently, I was traveling back to the US through Vancouver, BC, Canada. I was delighted with the fact that I was able to get pre-screened through US Customs before even getting on the plane. What ...
9
votes
2answers
495 views
Can anyone get the Nexus card, and how?
I've been told vaguely after seeing on a forum that the Nexus Card is the greatest thing since sliced bread. My understanding is that it's a card for frequent travellers between the US and Canada.
...
9
votes
1answer
256 views
Are US citizens legally required to provide a current address on a US customs declaration?
When returning to the USA, US citizens are required to fill out a written customs declaration. This form has space for a "Street Address". See a sample form here: ...
9
votes
1answer
190 views
How to travel to California with my cat?
I am moving to California from Ukraine. I know the exact requirements from Ukranian part, but what about USA part and especially California? What is the exact list of requirements for the cat?
9
votes
1answer
146 views
I stamped my passport before international departure, but I want to cancel now!
If I stamped my passport for an international flight as we usually do before international departures and then I changed my mind for any reason, for example a family emergency reason. What's the ...
8
votes
3answers
238 views
What are some ways to minimize the time spent in customs?
Every time I've gone through customs, it has been a relatively quick and friendly series of basic questions and credential verification. However, I have heard people complain about delays due to ...
8
votes
3answers
237 views
Will Nagorno-Karabakh put my entry/exits stamps on a separate piece of paper?
Certain countries won't let a visitor enter if they have a passport stamp from certain other countries.
One case is Azerbaijan which will not permit you to enter if you have a stamp of ...
8
votes
2answers
206 views
Can I get in trouble if, at customs, the police finds media files that I can't prove are mine?
I have ripped some of my DVD series to my phone and laptop so I do not need to waste space and battery with the extra discs.
But what happens when I am traveling, say from Europe->USA or ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
How does customs work if my layover is in a third country?
I want to fly from the US to Israel and am looking at a flight with a layover in Canada (PIT -> YYZ -> TLV). How does customs work on such a multi-country trip? Do I have to go through the process ...
8
votes
4answers
380 views
Is UK's Iris biometric entry system being phased out?
UK operates a biometric access control system at its airports called Iris, that allows people to skip immigration queues and get automated clearance using their pre-registered biometric details. I was ...
8
votes
1answer
70 views
Do I need to return the Hong Kong immigration card to the authorities?
I recently visited Hong Kong. I am British. When I returned to the UK I noticed that I still had the white Immigration Card in my passport. Do I need to return this to the Hong Kong Immigration ...
