trooper

I thought Miami WAS one of the US airports with I-I transit???

skywardhunter

Is it? I've got a friend who's struggling to get from Colombia to India via Miami because of the need for a US Visa.

wolfie_cr

this is a different thing, having direct I-I connections flow passenger wise is different from immigration requirements. US removed the former transit without visa after 9/11 as they figured it could be abused by terrorists claiming to do I-to-I travel without visa and being able to board a US bound plane

jsloan

Exit immigration isn't technically a requirement, but it definitely contributes. You could have a terminal that didn't have any public exits; passengers would choose between international transfers (go through security, into the exit-less terminal) and domestic arrivals (go through customs into the domestic terminal). Departing international passengers would have to go through a one-way checkpoint into the international terminal as well. Exit immigration effectively serves as that checkpoint in most airports in other countries, but you could also use a one-way revolving door.

And, yes, you'd have to get the airlines and local airport authorities to agree. There are a few US airport with "international terminals" -- ORD and LAX come to mind - - but that's actually pretty instructive; UA doesn't operate departing flights from the international terminal at either of those airports.

For luggage, yes. You still have to pass through passport control.

And that's another reason that I-I transit is disallowed; not so much the idea that people will sneak into the US, but the idea that we would have people on US soil who hadn't been vetted.

Anyway, this discussion is ranging a little OT. Unless SFO starts an I-I baggage transfer program prior to OP's flight, it's going to work out well.

chavala

I had no idea about the I-I transit and recently gave my friends the wrong advice.
Their UA FA told them they won't have to pick up their bags and recheck flying UIO-IAH-NRT, but I said that FA does not know what he's talking about.
After I said goodbye and whizzed through GE to my domestic flight, they ended up waiting at the belt for a very long time, until all the bags were out, instead of hanging out at the Polaris Club.
I felt terrible. They think I'm an expert so now my credibility is shot ; )

So is this only certain airports or everywhere in the US now?

jsloan

Only at certain airports. IAH is one of those. SFO is not.

rattydukes

This should not be an issue at all. You'll pick up your bag, can retrieve the item before dropping off your bag with your connecting carrier (UA?).

wrp96

Only certain airports have ITI including IAH, DFW, and MIA, possibly ATL but don't quote me on that one.

MSPeconomist

chavala

If anything, it would certainly look suspicious!

Flaflyer

OP will have to go through a security checkpoint, either after customs or upon reentering the airport after visiting the city. This discussion is all based on the assumption that what the OP wants to get out of the checked bag is allowed as carry on. International or domestic, many items are allowed in checked bags that are not allowed in carry on. Of course, if the item is to be taken out of checked bag and delivered to someone in the city and not brought back to the airport, we don't want to know about it. DHS might.

Global321

I did not know this is a thing.

I have done it several times in the international baggage hall, before clearing customs. Typically I was adding things to the bag that I would not need on my domestic flights. No one gave me a look. And there were agents (and dogs) wandering around.

I have also seen plenty of others do it. I never gave it a second thought. I do not think anyone cares.

StuckinITH

I think that you are right and it's not an issue since passengers are really only clearing customs at the time that they give the form to the agents located at the exit. And for them, it does not make a difference if the things that need to be declared for the taxes or things that are illegal are in the checked luggage, the cabin luggage or on/in the passenger.

lhrsfo

At least at SFO, you no longer give a form to the Customs agent - you just walk straight out unless stopped.

lhrsfo

I think this sums up the issues quite well and is a perfect example of the malaise of a "can't do" attitude. Everyone is advised never to use US airlines to travel from Country A to Country B via the USA - it's a large missed opportunity for US airlines. Perhaps they would be better served getting sensible I to I arrangements rather than squealing about the ME3.