Hello everyone. Tomorrow I fly after completing my study abroad program in Moscow, Russia. Flying out of the United States was not hard because I took all flights from the United States to Moscow. However on the way back I am going through France and then to the United States. Here is my itinerary if that helps:
Day Date Flight City Time Cabin
--- ----- -------------------- -------------------- ----- ----- --------

Fri 17JUN Air France 1 LV Moscow, Russia (SVO) 930A Coach
AR Paris, France (CDG) 1125A
Fri 17JUN Delta 21 LV Paris, France (CDG) 130P Economy
AR Atlanta, GA (ATL) 520P
Fri 17JUN Delta 2178 LV Atlanta, GA (ATL) 745P Economy
AR Tallahassee, FL (TLH) 900P


Now I understand that I will have to go through customs going leaving Russia and arriving in Atlanta. However what I was wondering is do I have to go through customs in France? Since in France I am only connecting to another International flight I was hoping maybe I wouldn't have to go through customs. If I do, do I have to get my checked luggage (I know in Atlanta I have to get my checked bags)? Also many people have told me that when arriving in the United States I shouldn't bother declaring my souvenirs. However, I have bought a significant amount (but still under the $800 limit). I don't want to get in trouble and have them confiscate my "treasures." Basically I am just stressed and worried about going through customs all together since as I said this is my first time over seas and I had the luxury of just taking all Delta flights from the United States to here. If someone could please give me some guidance and explanation on my itinerary and what I am supposed to do and where I would more than appreciate it! I figured I would defer these questions to more experienced travelers. Thank you so much!

No. This is airside connection and unless you would like to go and see Paris (I would strongly recommend against that provided your connection time is pretty tight).
Once in CDG, find out your gate number at the departures monitor and proceed straight to your gate. CDG is a large airport - it could take up to 20 minutes to walk to the gate.
Good thing you've got plenty o time to connect in ATL, as immigration lines there could be pretty long. Once past the immigration, collect your luggage, go through customs (you will need to fill in the customs form regardless), hand your filled-in form to the customs officer and than drop off your bag at the colection point (provided your whole flight is on one PNR and your luggagge has been checked through).
The rest is pretty straight forward - get to your terminal, get through the TSA checkpoint and be at the gate on time.

And please declare all you purchased on your customs form. You might get lucky, but having been out of the country for so long it's to be expected that you would have something to declare.

If you're under the dollar limit for customs, you shouldn't have any problems at all. Even if you are, all you'd have to do is pay duty.

I've been tagged recently for Agriculture inspections. Don't have any food you don't declare, especially apples. They may want to inspect you since you've been away for so long. When I came back from a trip that included Russia, agriculture was particularly interested in caviar. They will confiscate food. (Generally canned and processed food is OK. I've brought back cheese and chocolate with no problems. Apples seem to be the major no-no)

Dear everyone,

Thank you so much for your advice and tips. I appreciate your knowledge. I can't thank you all enough. Flying is stressful enough for me and now I have the added stress of it being the first time I've gone through customs returning to the United States. I am now more at ease since I know where I am going and what I am doing. Thanks again!