Content

• Steps
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Before entering the United States, all passengers must pass the United States Customs and Border Protection Bureau. This scares many, but following our steps, you will go through customs control without any problems in a matter of minutes.

Steps

1. 1 On the plane, you will be issued with customs and immigration documents. If you are not a US citizen, you will need to complete Form I-94. US citizens do not need to fill out this form. In addition, all passengers (both US and non-US citizens) must complete a customs declaration. Be sure to complete all the documents before going directly to customs and immigration control.
2. 2 When you get off the plane, always follow the signs for international flights at the Immigration and Customs Office. Do not stop to look around, as you may arouse suspicion in the inspectors. More often than not, you will need to walk down a hallway or down an escalator to reach customs and immigration. Less often (mainly in smaller airports with few flights) you will need to take a bus.
3. 3 The first point is passport / immigration control. If you are a US citizen, go to the passage marked "United States Citizens." If you are not, go to the Foreign Citizens aisle. If you are transiting through the United States, there are sometimes special passages labeled “Passengers in Transit”.
4. 4 Give the inspector your passport and completed immigration / customs forms. He will look at your passport, scan it and possibly approve it. Also, if any, he will approve the Form I-94 and customs documents, then return.
5. 5 After passing through passport control, follow the signs to baggage claim. Here you will receive your suitcases, even if you are connecting to another flight. Look on the screens which baggage number was assigned to your flight and wait for your suitcases.
6. 6 Once you have received your luggage, your next point is customs control. If you do not have baggage to declare, proceed to the green aisle marked “No baggage to declare”. If you have items to declare, head to the red aisle marked “Goods to declare”. There you will return your form for customs control, and if you do not have those things to declare, you will be directed to the exit.
7. 7 If you are transferring to another flight, follow the "Transit Flights / Collect Baggage from Transit Flights" signs when you have cleared customs. If this is your destination, skip to step 8.
   • When you approach the baggage conveyor from transit flights, be sure to place all liquids, gels and aerosols larger than 85g or other items that are not allowed to pass through the Temporary Reserved Area checkpoint in your main baggage. Make sure the destination is correct on your luggage. Place your luggage on a conveyor belt with the wheels and handles on top (the suitcase itself should be on top).
   • Continue following the “Connecting Flights” signs and proceed through Security to the Departures area.
8. 8 If you are already at your destination, follow the exit signs and ground transportation. Once you exit the customs and immigration facilities, you will be transferred to the international arrivals area. Here you will be met by friends or relatives, and you can take a bus, taxi, rent a car or choose another mode of transport.

Tips

• Be polite to the inspectors, and they, in turn, will treat you well.
• Often, another inspector may stand in front of passport control and direct you to the next vacant booth. These booths are numbered to make it easier for you.
• Be sure to provide already completed forms at passport control or customs inspector.
• Don't worry about getting lost. Just always follow the pointers, as there is only one path leading to all the objects you need.

Warnings

• It is prohibited to take pictures, smoke or use a mobile phone in the US Customs and Immigration Area. You can neither call nor write messages: remember that you are inside a highly secured US government agency.
• As usual, never joke about bombs, terrorism, smuggling, etc., as inspectors take all threats seriously.
• Once you leave the baggage claim and customs area, you will not be able to return, so make sure you have all your belongings with you before entering the international transfer or arrivals area.

What do you need

• Valid passport.
• Completed documents for customs and immigration control (holders of immigrant visas must also complete a customs declaration).