Travel Q&A: How to Get Through Customs Quicker & More 

I'm in the same boat for this year, hope things went well for you. I figure in the end I will get through it and learn something so I'll try not to be stressed.

how did it go :o

You say nothing gets you to front of the line. Global entry does that essentially.

@@johnslyfield5096 It doesn't really get you to the front, you basically skip the whole thing.

@@johnslyfield5096 I didn't know Global Entry was a thing and now I'm definitely going to remember that. Thanks!

Also good to know if going to a place that's got strict quarantine and you could be fined for bringing something you shouldn't have (like certain foods), and you are not exactly sure what to declare, just declare it. You won't be fined because you are unsure (generally). This applies for Australia. If you are not sure if what you brought is not allowed, just declare as such and the most that will happen is that it's confiscated and destroyed, no fine for you.

Definitely true, even from developed countries: just because something is available and sold to you as a souvenir or legal substancein one country it doesn't mean it is legal to take into either tyour next country, or home country. Check quarantine and Customs regulations for every country you visit. Living in Australia we have among the strictest limits on Duty-Free and quarantine: those Findig shoes from Thailand might be an issue due to the widespread use of endangeted animal hides, as but one example. I checked thoroughly, so no Findigs for me! In Asia, traditional medicines can be hard to get through Customs in other countries. Lots of good travel guides to specific countries online. Lonely Planet works for me, but make sure any information you get is up to date and official.

I heard you can give them money to do what you want, a friend of my friend told her that’s how you can get them to do your bidding.

You are very welcome

We have a 10 shocks of Minnesota video and a Duluth tips video. Just flying through today :(

You are very welcome

Very true. I messed that up. But only helps with US or UK for those reading the comments

Mobile passport is also a great free alternative to Global Entry in the US and can sometimes be faster.

In some EU countries (France and Germany for example), you also have automated customs checkpoints for EU passport holders. It's basically sort of a box that scans your passport first, and then your face. If there's anything wrong, you'll be asked to an actual customs agent after going through, but it can still save you a lot of time.

I got Global Entry and I breezed through the lines when I came back from Europe a couple weeks ago! It actually took more time to get my checked bag than to wait in line for passport control and customs!

fivesevenjoker57 they have this for US passport holders in a couple of Airports in America (New York JFK, Miami, and 5 of 6 others)

Justin Burnette wandering aimlessly in a city like London or Prague or Amsterdam is always my favorite day of any trip!

Thank you Christine :) we are heading back Boston way this summer. Can't wait :)

He's a marketing professor.

Seriously. I am with you on that one

rztrzt the part about Schengen is not about your passport but rather about the origin and destination of your flight. If it is within the Schengen (depending on airport) your flight will be determined to be domestic and not international cutting down on hassle. But on the other side you can't use tax free then :-( however I understand your thought about it as on arrival there will not be passport checks the customs is just 2 corridors one with a mail box to declare in (if no staff) and the other just empty

Europe is having serious security issues right now because of their loose borders.

How on Earth is my comment inaccurate? Have you been living under a rock?

@Bernard_Bernoulli In Schengen area there no passport a no custom check so you can take flight from Bacelona - Stuttgart as domestic flight But if you fly from Barcelona - London (who is not in Schengen area) you must past passport check, but there no custom check. If you fly from Barcelona to outside EU you will pass passport and custom check And BTW "Schengen passport" is term for passports EU country's

Love you Malcolm. I completely understand:)

Wolters World are you saying I do this? 🤔 Occassionally. 😂

Cool. Have a great trip! It's gorgeous there

Wolters World Thanks Mark

Asher Kawaii, I leave for Trondheim on the 16th. May is a great time. They're so happy for spring, and there in a holiday spirit. Their Constitution Day is the 17th. Its not as warm as home, but I don't mind a little cool weather.

BTS SUGA Why????

suggests the nexus card. I got it and its only 50 bucks, works for us customs and Canadian one. (basically global entry/tsa pre and lasts 5 years)

Both NRT and HND ;-)

Albert L. Hnd is more popular I heard

Batam Indonesia, really fast! Singapord is good too.

True. I totally forgot that one. Good call.

Global entry is the best 100 dollars I've ever spent. Highly recommend it.

Daniel Sadjadi FYI Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive cardmembers receive an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, up to $100 every 5 years. To receive reimbursement, you must charge the application fee to your Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive card.

UNLESS...if your airport has "mobile passport" Only 24 Airports in the US do it though

If you live near the Canadian Border, NEXUS card is a better option then Global Entry. NEXUS requires an interview and the interview centres are generally at USA/Canada border crossings or the larger Canadian airports. The reason I say it's a better option is that it's $50 for 5 years (not $100 for 5 years) and children under 18 are free. Plus, once enrolled, you get a trusted traveler number, which works on Global Entry and TSA pre-check lines. (also, dedicated NEXUS lanes if traveling to Canada/USA via road; there are benefits for using NEXUS on water, but I'm not a boater). For Canadians applying, it's $50 USD to do it online, but if you apply to an Canadian Enrollment centre via snail mail, it's $50 CAD. True story We got back from the Caribbean last month into Toronto Pearson Terminal 3 (about 1500hrs on a Tuesday---I don't know if flight patterns or days make a difference). Our plane landed about the same time as 2 other planes. Once we deplaned, there was about 300 people in front of us waiting to use the self declaration kiosk on the right hand side of the hallway and on the left hand side that was roped off, there was an official looking lady saying "NEXUS holders to the left, everyone else to the right". We bypassed the 300 people and went straight downstairs to the Customs area. When we got down there, there had to be 500+ people queued up waiting to talk to a CBSA agent. There was a roped off area for special services and about 15 red kiosks for NEXUS, three which were empty. Flash the NEXUS card to the official standing watch at that checkpoint and zipped right through to the machines. 2 minutes later (first time using the machine and we had to process the kids also), we as a family proceeded to the "Special Services/Air Crew/Nexus" CBSA agents. There were 3 of them and us being a line of 4--the dozen or so people who were in front of us at the kiosks were long gone when we walked up to the agents. If our luggage wasn't delayed (our flight landed 20 minutes early) and we only had carry on luggage, I bet we could of cleared the airport in 10-15 minutes from de-boarding to standing outside waiting for a shuttle.

RoadHawk HD Dash Cam User get one that has a plug or two And a couple of usb ports. They are fantastic.

domjohnm SO True!

A lot of non-US airlines also get better reviews

Hainan is a dream. As is Hong Kong Airlines. Amazing service. Wonderful meals. Bring your own headphones though. Never have had luck with either of theirs.

Thanks derek!

WHAT CELEBRITY ROSIE ODONNELL???

C cool ca!

Sophia Viguier lmOooo cool story

What celebrity? Michelle Branch? That's who you look like to me...

OR cause you had a baby smh

Kerry Thomas how far is Shannon from Dublin? I may have a job offer there, maybe lol

@@ClassyLyfeStylellc Opposite end of the country.

Szymon Gorczynski ty very much for replying. I may still stop just to see the countryside

@@ClassyLyfeStylellc Shannon is on the west coast and Dublin is on the east coast so you could see a lot in between. However, Dublin has US customs pre-clearance but I'm not sure if Shannon does.

You can do it in Dublin too. And trust me. It’s 100% worth it, I know connection flights can be annoying sometimes. But its absolutely amazing.

Craig Thomas I'm fairly certain we have a video on that. If not, we've filmed it and will upload soon. RU-vid search, woltersworld long haul flights.

Jocelyn Wolters Brilliant thank you:)

Trip Hacks DC I travel alot and never used it. I get thru pretty fast so don't see the benefit

The last time I landed in ORD from LHR the line for customs was massive (and I was in first class so off the plane quickly). Global entry was amazing. worth every penny.

iPad, yes. Portable USB charger, check the specific airline's website that you are flying for their battery size restrictions. TSA website in the U.S. has information as well. Most airlines allow you take a battery charger up to a specific capacity limit. You can't put any lithium ion batteries in your checked luggage. You must take with you as carry-on.