Customs question - LAX LHR DUB
Feb 27, 2018, 3:09 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BAEC Gold, LH M&M Member
Posts: 2,705
In a country where we allow the Daily Mail to set immigration policy, yes it seems odd. It's an extraordinary loophole in bringing goods to the UK. But that's how it is. Unlike other countries (e.g. India) where there is such a concept as a mixed 'domestic/intl' flight, it just doesn't exist in the UK: when you get off the aircraft in MAN (or ABZ, GLA, etc.) there is no customs post, no check (or facility to check), no officers, no segregation of baggage at all between those on a through itinerary and those purely point-to-point. It's the same at LHR for domestic arrivals. Don't believe me? Check it out next time you fly.
More practically, if you declare at the transfer point and the officer wants to see your checked goods, (s)he has access to the baggage hall and can escort you to collect them for a search. This does occasionally happen (thankfully). The 'random' search can still occur too - either by officers stationed at connections watching for the same nervous behaviours as at the main exit point, or by them picking out bags behind the scenes in the transfer area (usually with the help of some canine friends). This is rare - but then again, so is seeing a real-life officer on duty in T5 even at the main exit point.
More practically, if you declare at the transfer point and the officer wants to see your checked goods, (s)he has access to the baggage hall and can escort you to collect them for a search. This does occasionally happen (thankfully). The 'random' search can still occur too - either by officers stationed at connections watching for the same nervous behaviours as at the main exit point, or by them picking out bags behind the scenes in the transfer area (usually with the help of some canine friends). This is rare - but then again, so is seeing a real-life officer on duty in T5 even at the main exit point.
I’m pretty sure that arriving from DUB into LHR - my only domestic flying - you take the route which avoids immigration (along that weird corridor next to some offices(?)) and then are deposited at the top of the stairs down to baggage claim.
You collect your baggage and exit through the blue/green/red channel as appropriate.
You clear immigration at Heathrow, customs at final domestic destination. (Not that it really makes much difference in most cases).
Edited to add: I’m talking about checked-through hold baggage. If you have to collect and re-check then yes, you clear customs at LHR before rechecking your baggage.
Last edited by NeverFirst; Feb 27, 2018 at 3:47 pm
Feb 27, 2018, 3:49 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold
Posts: 291
Without being too political, if you compare your arrival experience on a flight between DUB and LHR, you'll find it differs from a domestic flight, say between LHR to MAN or other UK destinations. Geographically Dublin is in the Republic of Ireland.
Sorry to flog this but I really think you’re mistaken.
I’m pretty sure that arriving from DUB into LHR - my only domestic flying - you take the route which avoids immigration (along that weird corridor next to some offices(?)) and then are deposited at the top of the stairs down to baggage claim.
You collect your baggage and exit through the blue/green/red channel as appropriate.
You clear immigration at Heathrow, customs at final domestic destination. (Not that it really makes much difference in most cases).
Sorry to flog this but I really think you’re mistaken.
I’m pretty sure that arriving from DUB into LHR - my only domestic flying - you take the route which avoids immigration (along that weird corridor next to some offices(?)) and then are deposited at the top of the stairs down to baggage claim.
You collect your baggage and exit through the blue/green/red channel as appropriate.
You clear immigration at Heathrow, customs at final domestic destination. (Not that it really makes much difference in most cases).
Feb 27, 2018, 4:27 pm
#18
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BAEC Gold, LH M&M Member
Posts: 2,705
My error - yes DUB flights bypass passport control but drop you in the international baggage hall.
Feb 28, 2018, 11:47 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,061
At LHR T5, Irish arrivals are brought into the furthest part of the terminal it's possible to get from domestic arrivals (gate A23 vs A2, for example). Try flying on an actual domestic flight - such as MAN-LHR or LGW-GLA - and then come back and argue if you still disagree.
Oct 12, 2018, 5:08 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: BAEC Gold, LH M&M Member
Posts: 2,705
Not arguing (I promise) but having just done my first domestic arrival at the end of an international (NYC-EDI-LHR) there is a phone at LHR domestic baggage claim for Customs, and a letterbox to drop in your 'over £10,000' currency declarations.
(I'm still not clear where my baggage actually crossed the border, but it seems there's a mechanism in place to sort any necessary formalities in LHR domestic arrivals.)
(I'm still not clear where my baggage actually crossed the border, but it seems there's a mechanism in place to sort any necessary formalities in LHR domestic arrivals.)