Customs Info
Nov 10, 2009 | 10:55 pm
#1
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Customs Info
I am flying from MCI-IAD-LHR in March, and was wondering if I will be going through customs when I leave the United States, or just when I enter England and then on my return to the US. Will I go through customs at IAD and then have to recheck my baggage, or will I get off my plane at IAD and then be able to catch my connection back to MCI?
Nov 11, 2009 | 12:24 am
#2
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On your outbound you will go through passport check before boarding both flights, at MCI and IAD, but you will go through British customs and immigration only on arrival at LHR. LHR is the only point where your baggage is subject to search and your passport stamped.
On your return you will go through passport check at LHR, then American customs and immigration at IAD. US rules are that you always pass through customs / immigration at your first landfall city, even if it's not your final destination. You then recheck your bag at IAD for the onward flight. After that you're in the States, so IAD-MCI is just a separate, regular domestic flight with no passport / baggage check involved.
On your return you will go through passport check at LHR, then American customs and immigration at IAD. US rules are that you always pass through customs / immigration at your first landfall city, even if it's not your final destination. You then recheck your bag at IAD for the onward flight. After that you're in the States, so IAD-MCI is just a separate, regular domestic flight with no passport / baggage check involved.
Nov 11, 2009 | 4:44 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2007
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I am guessing this is your first overseas flight? A suggestion if your IAD connection is tight is when you land walk as quickly as possible to customs as the line there can get out of control and if you are sitting near the back of the plane it will guarantee that many people are ahead of you. If you can walk quickly enough you can usually be one of the first in line from your plane.
Nov 11, 2009 | 7:37 am
#4
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Thanks for the information. I was lucky enough to have the oppurtunuty to upgrade my ticket to business, so it should be pretty easy to get of the plane.
Nov 11, 2009 | 11:27 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: IAD
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I am guessing this is your first overseas flight? A suggestion if your IAD connection is tight is when you land walk as quickly as possible to customs as the line there can get out of control and if you are sitting near the back of the plane it will guarantee that many people are ahead of you. If you can walk quickly enough you can usually be one of the first in line from your plane.
The key thing at IAD is to make sure you go to the right place - they have separate vehicles for people terminating at IAD and for those making connections, with the latter going to a midfield facility, rather than the main terminal.
Nov 11, 2009 | 7:37 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2002
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Just to clarify the passport check is just a document verification by an airline CSR to see if you have a valid travel document to enter the UK. They will do this when you check-in to recieve your BPs. You will not be seeing any sort of immigration officer until you enter the UK and when you transit in IAD.
Nov 11, 2009 | 11:21 pm
#7
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Thanks for all the info.. I am applying for the Global Entry Program, so that should speed up re-entry to the US.
Nov 12, 2009 | 12:42 am
#8
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Do you expect to be travelling internationally a lot? Personally, I feel that the cost of the global re-entry program is not worth it unless you will be making many international trips (and returning to the US) each year.
Aug 4, 2010 | 12:29 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Along this same line of questions
We are going to South Africa next week. We leave through MCI to Dulles, then on SA to Johannesburg. My question: When checking in at United at MCI, who is to sign my forms about serial numbers for all electronic items being taken: ie camera, computer, etc? We are also taking firearms--is there a special terminal for doing this?
Aug 4, 2010 | 2:00 pm
#10
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We are going to South Africa next week. We leave through MCI to Dulles, then on SA to Johannesburg. My question: When checking in at United at MCI, who is to sign my forms about serial numbers for all electronic items being taken: ie camera, computer, etc? We are also taking firearms--is there a special terminal for doing this?
Aug 4, 2010 | 3:01 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MCO
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If I were you, I'd contact your airline as well for any requirements they have. According to this site, you will also need to check in with the SA police after clearing immigration in Johannesburg.
Aug 7, 2010 | 7:01 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2006
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We are going to South Africa next week. We leave through MCI to Dulles, then on SA to Johannesburg. My question: When checking in at United at MCI, who is to sign my forms about serial numbers for all electronic items being taken: ie camera, computer, etc? We are also taking firearms--is there a special terminal for doing this?