Flying out of Munich
Mar 26, 2011 | 6:45 am
#1
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Flying out of Munich
I will be flying out of Munich and transferring in London for a final destination of the USA on British Airways. I wanted to know if I have to go through customs in London and in Munich.
Thanks
Thanks
Mar 26, 2011 | 8:10 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2010
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I flew BA from EWR, transferring in Heathrow, and I don't recall having to go thru customs as I didn't leave the airport. Note that even though I arrived and transferred in the same terminal, I still had to go back thru security. Be aware that they will confiscate any liquids, so don't buy your duty free in Munich.
Mar 26, 2011 | 4:50 pm
#3
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As long as the LHR transfer is airside no customs in LHR and of course not in MUC.
Mar 26, 2011 | 5:01 pm
#4
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There will not be a customs check at MUC, unless customs have strong reasons to believe you're up to something dodgy (i.e. they've been tipped off). For 9,999 travellers out of 10,000, there will be no customs check when departing Germany.
You will however have to pass through exit immigration at MUC because you are leaving the Schengen Zone there.
At LHR you will be in direct airside transit, so you will not have to go through either immigration or customs there. Follow the signs for "Flight Connections".
Mar 26, 2011 | 5:09 pm
#5
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You will exit Schengen at MUC so there is passport control there. Should never have to under normal circumstances at LHR.
Not correct AFAIK.
As far as liquid duty free goes, as long as it is acquired onboard an E.U. carrier or at an E.U. airport andis in a sealed (by carrier or duty-free shop) E.U.-approved bag, it can pass through security in the U.K. (or elsewhere in the E.U.) as long as it is within 24 hours of purchase. The receipt is generally put inside this sealed bag.
Note that even though I arrived and transferred in the same terminal, I still had to go back thru security. Be aware that they will confiscate any liquids, so don't buy your duty free in Munich.
As far as liquid duty free goes, as long as it is acquired onboard an E.U. carrier or at an E.U. airport andis in a sealed (by carrier or duty-free shop) E.U.-approved bag, it can pass through security in the U.K. (or elsewhere in the E.U.) as long as it is within 24 hours of purchase. The receipt is generally put inside this sealed bag.
Mar 26, 2011 | 5:17 pm
#6
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As far as liquid duty free goes, as long as it is acquired onboard an E.U. carrier or at an E.U. airport andis in a sealed (by carrier or duty-free shop) E.U.-approved bag, it can pass through security in the U.K. (or elsewhere in the E.U.) as long as it is within 24 hours of purchase. The receipt is generally put inside this sealed bag.
Mar 26, 2011 | 9:57 pm
#7
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For most things LHR duty free is cheaper than MUC duty free, whenever I've checked. Rarely worth the trouble to carry liquids from MUC-LHR if you have time to shop at LHR (and you should, it is structured so that almost all gates require walking through or past the duty free shop -- LHR is actually a shopping mall that happens to have planes land and takeoff there occasionally, hence the lack of investment in doing things like clearing snow from runways).
Mar 27, 2011 | 5:47 am
#8
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I did mean immigration. I have a choice between an hour connection or a two hour connection in LHR. I would prefer the 1 hour but not if I have to go through immigration again. If I can deboard, then go directly to my connecting flight (same terminal) then I think the hour will be enough. Thoughts?
Mar 27, 2011 | 9:49 am
#9
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For most things LHR duty free is cheaper than MUC duty free, whenever I've checked. Rarely worth the trouble to carry liquids from MUC-LHR if you have time to shop at LHR (and you should, it is structured so that almost all gates require walking through or past the duty free shop -- LHR is actually a shopping mall that happens to have planes land and takeoff there occasionally, hence the lack of investment in doing things like clearing snow from runways).
Glenfiddich 15 years LHR 2 for 75 GBP, FRA 2 for 59,90 EUR
Smirnoff LHR 2 for 18 GBP, FRA 2 for 21,80 EUR
Gordons LHR 2 for 18 GBP, FRA 2 17,89 EUR.
I would exepct smoke to be cheaper in Germany given that the high high street priced in the UK.
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; Mar 27, 2011 at 10:11 am
Mar 27, 2011 | 10:14 am
#10
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I did mean immigration. I have a choice between an hour connection or a two hour connection in LHR. I would prefer the 1 hour but not if I have to go through immigration again. If I can deboard, then go directly to my connecting flight (same terminal) then I think the hour will be enough. Thoughts?
Mar 27, 2011 | 10:43 am
#11
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There will be no immigration clearance in the UK and as you travel on BA your connection will be all the way through T5. However, 1 hour in LHR is nothing I would understand as a good idea because you always need to go through the Flight Connection Centre and through security. Furthermore LHR is notorious for delays.
I am not sure if it applies to transit pax but there is some nasty thing called (connection) "compliance" at LHR T5 (not sure if the other terminals and airlines have it). If you're not at compliance check point within 35 minutes or so of departure time at T5, you're simply denied boarding. 25 minutes doesn't give you much time to disembark and clear security.
Mar 27, 2011 | 11:43 am
#12
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I'm not even sure if BA will sell you a ticket for connecting flights (BA to BA) with 1 hour transfer time in LHR.
Mar 27, 2011 | 1:25 pm
#13
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) but AA does without problems.
Mar 27, 2011 | 1:28 pm
#14
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But as others have said, LHR is notorious for delays. I'd take the 2-hour connection for peace of mind.
Mar 27, 2011 | 3:27 pm
#15
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You're right about AA - that is where I am getting the tickets. I know LHR is notorious, and I would feel better with peace of mind. If it was just me, I would take the chance but I will be with family who are not big flyers. Better safe then sorry.
Thanks for the advice!
Thanks for the advice!