Is it legal for a US citizen to put US passport inside an EU nation passport cover?
Jan 24, 2016, 4:56 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 370
Is it illegal for a US citizen to put his/her US passport in a French passport cover?
Is it illegal for a US citizen to put his/her US passport in a French passport cover?
I was browsing for a new passport cover and saw this on Amazon. The seller even has Mexican, Italian, German, British, Canadian, and others....
I was browsing for a new passport cover and saw this on Amazon. The seller even has Mexican, Italian, German, British, Canadian, and others....
Jan 24, 2016, 5:27 pm
#2
Moderator: Information Desk, Women Travelers, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, USA
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 15,651
I can't imagine why it would be. Most immigration officials ask to see the passport removed from any cover or holder, but to eliminate the potential for confusion, you'd want to always take it out before showing it at check-in, the gate or borders.
Jan 24, 2016, 5:29 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: AMS
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Asiana Club Silver, Flying Blue Ivory
Posts: 368
Illegal? I don't see why it would be. (IANAL)
Is it a smart thing to do? No. You could confuse border agents, and you don't want to get off on the wrong foot with border agents. At best they'll give you some extra scrutiny, in the worst case they'll think you were deliberately trying to deceive them.
Is it a smart thing to do? No. You could confuse border agents, and you don't want to get off on the wrong foot with border agents. At best they'll give you some extra scrutiny, in the worst case they'll think you were deliberately trying to deceive them.
Jan 24, 2016, 6:49 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,537
AFAIK, it wouldn't be illegal unless you were trying to deceive, which... given those don't look remotely like a French passport. They're the wrong colour for an EU passport, the typeface of "passport" is wrong, and the coat of arms... well, what even is that in the middle?
The item is clearly not a French passport, and doesn't even have the right colour to be seen as an EU passport at a glance. You normally present your passport open, as well. Since it's so obviously a wallet, not an attempt at fraud, I can't imagine anyone in their right mind trying to cause trouble over it.
Personally, I still suggest taking it out - it's much easier for them to handle your passport with no covers.
The item is clearly not a French passport, and doesn't even have the right colour to be seen as an EU passport at a glance. You normally present your passport open, as well. Since it's so obviously a wallet, not an attempt at fraud, I can't imagine anyone in their right mind trying to cause trouble over it.
Personally, I still suggest taking it out - it's much easier for them to handle your passport with no covers.
Jan 25, 2016, 9:28 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: AMS
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, Asiana Club Silver, Flying Blue Ivory
Posts: 368
Basically, if you go this route, I fully support taking off the cover when you hand it over to anyone with any authority.
Jan 26, 2016, 9:08 pm
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,409
There was a time when I would drive over European borders showing only the cover of my (USA) passport.
Now I often close the passport but keep it in hand with the cover deliberately visible when I go through foreign customs.
Now I often close the passport but keep it in hand with the cover deliberately visible when I go through foreign customs.
Jan 28, 2016, 6:11 am
#9
Join Date: May 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Programs: AA EXP, DL Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 1,863
Jan 29, 2016, 3:08 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Seattle, Wash. USA
Posts: 1,531
Back in the day when hijackings were all the rage, I carried my passport in a Soviet passport cover one of my brothers picked up in Moscow. I figured it would have the hijackers scratching their heads long enough for me to work on the over-wing exit.
But I always took my passport out of the cover when I hit a customs desk.
But I always took my passport out of the cover when I hit a customs desk.
Jan 31, 2016, 8:16 pm
#11
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,409
AFAIK, it wouldn't be illegal unless you were trying to deceive, which... given those don't look remotely like a French passport. They're the wrong colour for an EU passport, the typeface of "passport" is wrong, and the coat of arms... well, what even is that in the middle?
The item is clearly not a French passport, and doesn't even have the right colour to be seen as an EU passport at a glance. You normally present your passport open, as well. Since it's so obviously a wallet, not an attempt at fraud, I can't imagine anyone in their right mind trying to cause trouble over it.
Personally, I still suggest taking it out - it's much easier for them to handle your passport with no covers.
The item is clearly not a French passport, and doesn't even have the right colour to be seen as an EU passport at a glance. You normally present your passport open, as well. Since it's so obviously a wallet, not an attempt at fraud, I can't imagine anyone in their right mind trying to cause trouble over it.
Personally, I still suggest taking it out - it's much easier for them to handle your passport with no covers.
Feb 1, 2016, 12:17 am
#12
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,580
There's no such thing as a European passport. EU countries simply put the words "European Union" on their passports, and use the same color.
Mar 17, 2016, 4:55 pm
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 86
I do something similar all the time. I use a leather passport cover of another country in the hopes that if there is a hijacking (rare now, bombs are more common), I would be released. I think a French cover wouldn't help. Countries that may help are Japan, India, South Africa, Brazil, etc.
Mar 17, 2016, 5:09 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: JNB
Programs: Asiana Club, Mileage Plan, Skywards, Flying Blue, HHonors
Posts: 131
I keep my passport in a cover that is not my nationality but I always remove it from cover and hand it to border control with relevant pages open. More often than not they ignore this assistance and close passport and then struggle to find relevant visas. I just help them again. There is nothing to gain (and things to lose) by confusing them... just remove it from cover beforehand. But I agree a cover aids passport longevity...
Mar 17, 2016, 7:22 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,345