How do Customs know??
 

I don't have "smuggler" tattooed on my forehead.

On 99% of trips I can walk thru Customs with easy disregard. I thought those two factors went together - easy disregard and walking thru. If there's nothing on your conscience, then you broadcast that in
your body language or something. I had clung to that theory for a number
of years. But there was one trip that blew all of my pre-conceptions to pieces.

a taxing experience

(personal web-site only - no spam, no pop-ups)

I hope you enjoy this week's Tale - and maybe someone can tell me how Customs officials spot miscreants??

(after 7th December, check site Archive for the Tale).



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Travel well and arrive home safely,

Jon David
www.simplyjond.com - Tales & Things for Frequent Travelers

I'm curious to know myself. I think it has to do with location and age. I'm young so i'm at a disproportionate disadvantage but I understand why.

I was coming back from SE Asia and the customs official at SFO was really curious about my trip to Malaysia. He also wanted to know what kind of job I had. I told him I traveled back and forth from Singapore to Malaysia (trying to incite that I wouldn't be THAT stupid to smuggle anything through there) and he eventually let me go after some decision time.

Coming back from China and Hong Kong, nothing at all, handed the slip to the fellow and walked right through.

My Uncle was coming back from St. Maarten and when he was asked how much alcohol he had, he said what he had, something like 9 liters, and never got a bill or paid a fine. He also bought some jewelery that my aunt was wearing but no mention of that (since it was on her and they could say they got it in the US) and they walked right through.

I'm going to Brazil, Argentina and some other spots in South America but i'm going through Tijuana so I won't have to face anyone except the customs agent when walking back across the border. I'll tell them the truth but can't expect them to give me that hard of a time. Why would I smuggle coke or heroin from Brazil when there's enough to be smuggled from Tijuana?

simplyjond, I love your web site.

Customs Officials love to pick on me. pick pick pick.

Why don't you tell them about your Hawaii experience http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

I was hoping we could get some Customs (or ex-Customs) official to spill some secrets for us on FT. Surely there are some (ex-)Customs people who visit FT and can give some advice?

NWA kid - thanks for the feedback, nice to be appreciated.



------------------
Travel well and arrive home safely,

Jon David
www.simplyjond.com - Tales & Things for Frequent Travelers

>>>>>I'm young so i'm at a disproportionate disadvantage....

In ORD and DTW while pax were waiting for the baggage to come out, I've seen a few occasions where strolling agents would walk up to young people and ask them every jot and tittle about their trip. These are NW/KL flights from AMS, so I think there was particular interest there.

>>>>>My Uncle was coming back from St. Maarten and when he was asked how much alcohol he had, he said what he had, something like 9 liters, and never got a bill or paid a fine.

That has to do with the paperwork reduction act--in the U.S. they figured out that ultimately it costs more to levy taxes on the booze than what gets collected. I once had a hand-search and the bottles of whisky started cropping up, and the agent said, "Well I don't think anybody cares too much about that."

For some reason, ORD customs just loves to stop me every time I go through (Once, twice in three weeks - I even got the same customs guy taking apart my bags--"you again?").

I have no idea why they pick me - I'm never smuggling anything (unless you count the occasional contraband packet of cookies for snacking on the plane).

Just about every time, I have four to six bottle of wine with me (I collect, and always like to buy something unique while I am overseas at the source). Customs agent always goes through my stuff, always stops, says "you can only bring one liter, I'll have to charge". Then they look up the tax, realize they are about to charge me about 97 cents, and send me on my way without further action.

At least they are quick about the inspections when
I point out that my connecting flight leaves in 15 minutes. Maybe I DO have "smuggler" branded across my forehead.....