Originally Posted by
Steve M
You both are referring to Immigration checkpoints. And yes, most countries use computers at them (either with an officer or an eGate).
But that's not what I'm talking about. What I'm talking about is at Customs - that is, after you claim your bags and as you go through the Green Channel / Red Channel exit. Until this most recent experience at NRT, I've not seen them scan passports at Customs as a routine matter, either in Japan or any other country.
Quite right, virtually everyone says customs when they mean immigration, I just assumed (subconciously, didn't even notice it, though it's something that usually bothers me). Yes not seen that before, either.
Could be all or some of:
- your country, is it on a higher alert list
- are you personally flagged
- which flight were you on, is that origin on a high alert list