SFO layover, international to international with United, how do?
Feb 4, 2021, 8:09 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 1
SFO layover, international to international with United, how do?
Hey all,
I've got an international layover at SFO with United on April 1st, from Mexico City to Papeete on a single ticket. Both flights usually land and depart at the international terminal, the one from Mexico City at G1 and to Papeete at G6 so right next door.
What I want to know is, do I need to go through immigration and customs or can I just walk to G6 as soon as I land? This will be my first time traveling through the US so I'm rather clueless. Also I have a valid ESTA and all no worries and 4h between the flights.
I'm getting mixed answers from the internet, some people saying that I can just walk to G6, others saying that I need to clear immigration and customs first, I'm at loss.
I've got an international layover at SFO with United on April 1st, from Mexico City to Papeete on a single ticket. Both flights usually land and depart at the international terminal, the one from Mexico City at G1 and to Papeete at G6 so right next door.
What I want to know is, do I need to go through immigration and customs or can I just walk to G6 as soon as I land? This will be my first time traveling through the US so I'm rather clueless. Also I have a valid ESTA and all no worries and 4h between the flights.
I'm getting mixed answers from the internet, some people saying that I can just walk to G6, others saying that I need to clear immigration and customs first, I'm at loss.
Feb 4, 2021, 8:45 pm
#2
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Welcome to FlyerTalk!
You will have to clear US customs & immigration, and then go through security again.
(There is an exception for arrivals from Preclearance airports, where you go through US border formalities at the departing airport and then arrive in the US as if it were a domestic US flight, but Mexico City is not one of those locations.)
You will have to clear US customs & immigration, and then go through security again.
(There is an exception for arrivals from Preclearance airports, where you go through US border formalities at the departing airport and then arrive in the US as if it were a domestic US flight, but Mexico City is not one of those locations.)
Feb 5, 2021, 5:13 pm
#3
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You may wish to monitor your situation closely, as French Polynesia has closed to tourists, and (even if this is not tourism travel) I'd expect quite a number of flight cancellations as a result.
Feb 5, 2021, 6:51 pm
#4
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No such thing as an international layover. You will enter the US and depart the US.
After customs, if you have checked bags, you will drop them off, head back through security and then out to your departure gate. Don't forget that in order to enter the US, you will need a compliant negative Covid-19 test and an Attestation.
After customs, if you have checked bags, you will drop them off, head back through security and then out to your departure gate. Don't forget that in order to enter the US, you will need a compliant negative Covid-19 test and an Attestation.