even if I'm just having a layover of 3 hrs at ORD? How does that work exactly? Do I have to get my luggage and go through customs if I'm there for a layover? Sorry if the question sounds silly.
US Customs discussion - airports, importing
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even if I'm just having a layover of 3 hrs at ORD? How does that work exactly? Do I have to get my luggage and go through customs if I'm there for a layover? Sorry if the question sounds silly.
Yes, you do. Part of your layover will be taken up by going through customs. All inbound international deplane, pick up bags, go through customs and recheck bags (there is a recheck station situated outside of customs). Get to your next flight from there. HTH.even if I'm just having a layover of 3 hrs at ORD? How does that work exactly? Do I have to get my luggage and go through customs if I'm there for a layover? Sorry if the question sounds silly.
Yep. I have had the same experience coming into LAX for Asia on multiple occasions, even though I was just changing planes to go to the East Coast.
I flew back from Paris, via arriving JFK last Saturday.
One of the custom officers I had to deal with last April, aka the worst time I ever spent at JFK, was the person collecting the custom print outs. He immediately recognized me and pulled me out to the dreaded searching table area.
While I get why they have to go through your things, it is still somewhat humiliating process. Many that goes through custom do not declare whatever they bought breezes by. Yet even though I clearly had all my goods ready to be shown, they insists looking through the laundries and spend a long time laying all your personal belongings out there. This time the guy was nicer than the truly mean one in April, but still I felt as if I was getting treated as a criminal.
They also insisted I had lied and didn't click "Yes" for going over $800 exemption question. It was the most upsetting part as I clearly did click yes, which my sister also saw me doing so. One of the guys later informed the machine does not show the correct marker for duty if you get large X across the printout, so I was probably not lying. He then thought then why I didn't tell the officer who stamped my passport I shopped. OMG. He didn't as and that's why. I was only asked such question once by the stamping officer out of all my travels. He also acted as if it was wrong of me to not walk up to him and perhaps shout out "I need to declare." But he literally pulled me out of the line, even though I was actually closer to the other officer and didn't ask me if I bought anything.
My "nerd" officer, as called by the truly mean and rude one that treated me even worse in April, actually loves doing the math for the duty calculation. When they other officers would rather just apply a flat rate for all as getting the rate for each item is a tedious job, this guy seems to love doing it. He would actually write down every item and apply the rate according to the cateogry AND content of the item. For an exampe, a twilly gets a different rate from a CSGM. So as you can predict, the whole process takes a loooooong time to do. As I was aware he does that, I really wanted to avoid him. I was ready to pay the duty. I mean, I had bought so many things, there was no way to even trying to hide them. Just in the category of scarves/neckwear, I had 21 items!
By the time we left JFK, after paying over $1200, it was dinner time. And my flight arrived in mid afternoon.
As now I'm clearly recognized and thought as "girl with insane amount of shopping," I think I'd just ship my shopping instead of hand carrying. It was very tough packing so many things and doing it again after custom guys took out everything for inspection. If I come home with let's just say only a Kelly, duty calculating time would be short, but they would still continue to search through my bag no matter what.
Lastly, I really did not appreciate them asking what we did for work, how much money we make, if we were married, etc. I get the work related question must be appropriate, if one officer asked. But more officers came to check out what was happening one after one and they asked the same questions, with some just out of curiosity. One even asked how my parents feel about me spending money like so. Uhmm... Not happy? But why would that matter?
One of the custom officers I had to deal with last April, aka the worst time I ever spent at JFK, was the person collecting the custom print outs. He immediately recognized me and pulled me out to the dreaded searching table area.
While I get why they have to go through your things, it is still somewhat humiliating process. Many that goes through custom do not declare whatever they bought breezes by. Yet even though I clearly had all my goods ready to be shown, they insists looking through the laundries and spend a long time laying all your personal belongings out there. This time the guy was nicer than the truly mean one in April, but still I felt as if I was getting treated as a criminal.
They also insisted I had lied and didn't click "Yes" for going over $800 exemption question. It was the most upsetting part as I clearly did click yes, which my sister also saw me doing so. One of the guys later informed the machine does not show the correct marker for duty if you get large X across the printout, so I was probably not lying. He then thought then why I didn't tell the officer who stamped my passport I shopped. OMG. He didn't as and that's why. I was only asked such question once by the stamping officer out of all my travels. He also acted as if it was wrong of me to not walk up to him and perhaps shout out "I need to declare." But he literally pulled me out of the line, even though I was actually closer to the other officer and didn't ask me if I bought anything.
My "nerd" officer, as called by the truly mean and rude one that treated me even worse in April, actually loves doing the math for the duty calculation. When they other officers would rather just apply a flat rate for all as getting the rate for each item is a tedious job, this guy seems to love doing it. He would actually write down every item and apply the rate according to the cateogry AND content of the item. For an exampe, a twilly gets a different rate from a CSGM. So as you can predict, the whole process takes a loooooong time to do. As I was aware he does that, I really wanted to avoid him. I was ready to pay the duty. I mean, I had bought so many things, there was no way to even trying to hide them. Just in the category of scarves/neckwear, I had 21 items!
By the time we left JFK, after paying over $1200, it was dinner time. And my flight arrived in mid afternoon.
As now I'm clearly recognized and thought as "girl with insane amount of shopping," I think I'd just ship my shopping instead of hand carrying. It was very tough packing so many things and doing it again after custom guys took out everything for inspection. If I come home with let's just say only a Kelly, duty calculating time would be short, but they would still continue to search through my bag no matter what.Lastly, I really did not appreciate them asking what we did for work, how much money we make, if we were married, etc. I get the work related question must be appropriate, if one officer asked. But more officers came to check out what was happening one after one and they asked the same questions, with some just out of curiosity. One even asked how my parents feel about me spending money like so. Uhmm... Not happy? But why would that matter?
I flew back from Paris, via arriving JFK last Saturday.
One of the custom officers I had to deal with last April, aka the worst time I ever spent at JFK, was the person collecting the custom print outs. He immediately recognized me and pulled me out to the dreaded searching table area.
While I get why they have to go through your things, it is still somewhat humiliating process. Many that goes through custom do not declare whatever they bought breezes by. Yet even though I clearly had all my goods ready to be shown, they insists looking through the laundries and spend a long time laying all your personal belongings out there. This time the guy was nicer than the truly mean one in April, but still I felt as if I was getting treated as a criminal.
They also insisted I had lied and didn't click "Yes" for going over $800 exemption question. It was the most upsetting part as I clearly did click yes, which my sister also saw me doing so. One of the guys later informed the machine does not show the correct marker for duty if you get large X across the printout, so I was probably not lying. He then thought then why I didn't tell the officer who stamped my passport I shopped. OMG. He didn't as and that's why. I was only asked such question once by the stamping officer out of all my travels. He also acted as if it was wrong of me to not walk up to him and perhaps shout out "I need to declare." But he literally pulled me out of the line, even though I was actually closer to the other officer and didn't ask me if I bought anything.
My "nerd" officer, as called by the truly mean and rude one that treated me even worse in April, actually loves doing the math for the duty calculation. When they other officers would rather just apply a flat rate for all as getting the rate for each item is a tedious job, this guy seems to love doing it. He would actually write down every item and apply the rate according to the cateogry AND content of the item. For an exampe, a twilly gets a different rate from a CSGM. So as you can predict, the whole process takes a loooooong time to do. As I was aware he does that, I really wanted to avoid him. I was ready to pay the duty. I mean, I had bought so many things, there was no way to even trying to hide them. Just in the category of scarves/neckwear, I had 21 items!
By the time we left JFK, after paying over $1200, it was dinner time. And my flight arrived in mid afternoon.
Lastly, I really did not appreciate them asking what we did for work, how much money we make, if we were married, etc. I get the work related question must be appropriate, if one officer asked. But more officers came to check out what was happening one after one and they asked the same questions, with some just out of curiosity. One even asked how my parents feel about me spending money like so. Uhmm... Not happy? But why would that matter?
How your parents feel??? Whatttt?? Did you ask them what relevance of these questions are? Ridiculous.
You can file a complaint about the personal questions. Really inappropriate IMO.I flew back from Paris, via arriving JFK last Saturday.
One of the custom officers I had to deal with last April, aka the worst time I ever spent at JFK, was the person collecting the custom print outs. He immediately recognized me and pulled me out to the dreaded searching table area.
While I get why they have to go through your things, it is still somewhat humiliating process. Many that goes through custom do not declare whatever they bought breezes by. Yet even though I clearly had all my goods ready to be shown, they insists looking through the laundries and spend a long time laying all your personal belongings out there. This time the guy was nicer than the truly mean one in April, but still I felt as if I was getting treated as a criminal.
They also insisted I had lied and didn't click "Yes" for going over $800 exemption question. It was the most upsetting part as I clearly did click yes, which my sister also saw me doing so. One of the guys later informed the machine does not show the correct marker for duty if you get large X across the printout, so I was probably not lying. He then thought then why I didn't tell the officer who stamped my passport I shopped. OMG. He didn't as and that's why. I was only asked such question once by the stamping officer out of all my travels. He also acted as if it was wrong of me to not walk up to him and perhaps shout out "I need to declare." But he literally pulled me out of the line, even though I was actually closer to the other officer and didn't ask me if I bought anything.
My "nerd" officer, as called by the truly mean and rude one that treated me even worse in April, actually loves doing the math for the duty calculation. When they other officers would rather just apply a flat rate for all as getting the rate for each item is a tedious job, this guy seems to love doing it. He would actually write down every item and apply the rate according to the cateogry AND content of the item. For an exampe, a twilly gets a different rate from a CSGM. So as you can predict, the whole process takes a loooooong time to do. As I was aware he does that, I really wanted to avoid him. I was ready to pay the duty. I mean, I had bought so many things, there was no way to even trying to hide them. Just in the category of scarves/neckwear, I had 21 items!
By the time we left JFK, after paying over $1200, it was dinner time. And my flight arrived in mid afternoon.
Lastly, I really did not appreciate them asking what we did for work, how much money we make, if we were married, etc. I get the work related question must be appropriate, if one officer asked. But more officers came to check out what was happening one after one and they asked the same questions, with some just out of curiosity. One even asked how my parents feel about me spending money like so. Uhmm... Not happy? But why would that matter?
However....I do NOT recommend shipping items from the EU. Duty on shipping can get very, very high and you have no humans to reason with face to face.
I flew back from Paris, via arriving JFK last Saturday.
One of the custom officers I had to deal with last April, aka the worst time I ever spent at JFK, was the person collecting the custom print outs. He immediately recognized me and pulled me out to the dreaded searching table area.
While I get why they have to go through your things, it is still somewhat humiliating process. Many that goes through custom do not declare whatever they bought breezes by. Yet even though I clearly had all my goods ready to be shown, they insists looking through the laundries and spend a long time laying all your personal belongings out there. This time the guy was nicer than the truly mean one in April, but still I felt as if I was getting treated as a criminal.
They also insisted I had lied and didn't click "Yes" for going over $800 exemption question. It was the most upsetting part as I clearly did click yes, which my sister also saw me doing so. One of the guys later informed the machine does not show the correct marker for duty if you get large X across the printout, so I was probably not lying. He then thought then why I didn't tell the officer who stamped my passport I shopped. OMG. He didn't as and that's why. I was only asked such question once by the stamping officer out of all my travels. He also acted as if it was wrong of me to not walk up to him and perhaps shout out "I need to declare." But he literally pulled me out of the line, even though I was actually closer to the other officer and didn't ask me if I bought anything.
My "nerd" officer, as called by the truly mean and rude one that treated me even worse in April, actually loves doing the math for the duty calculation. When they other officers would rather just apply a flat rate for all as getting the rate for each item is a tedious job, this guy seems to love doing it. He would actually write down every item and apply the rate according to the cateogry AND content of the item. For an exampe, a twilly gets a different rate from a CSGM. So as you can predict, the whole process takes a loooooong time to do. As I was aware he does that, I really wanted to avoid him. I was ready to pay the duty. I mean, I had bought so many things, there was no way to even trying to hide them. Just in the category of scarves/neckwear, I had 21 items!
By the time we left JFK, after paying over $1200, it was dinner time. And my flight arrived in mid afternoon.
Lastly, I really did not appreciate them asking what we did for work, how much money we make, if we were married, etc. I get the work related question must be appropriate, if one officer asked. But more officers came to check out what was happening one after one and they asked the same questions, with some just out of curiosity. One even asked how my parents feel about me spending money like so. Uhmm... Not happy? But why would that matter?
I would file a complaint, I had a similar experience (different airport) with the inappropriate comments and shaming-and my husband was with me. The "dudes" were clearly trying to see if my DH would put me in my place for daring to spend my own money and when he literally just shrugged they seemed to want to do it for him. Why did I spend so much? Couldn't I buy things here? What do I do? What does my husband do? Doesn't he care that I shop? (he had gone to sit down nearby and look at his phone at this point) What does someone need such an expensive bag for? I think they were more annoyed that DH really didn't mind my "excesses".
I can be fairly charming and funny but these guys were wearing my patience thin and I was running out of clever answers after 10 hours of travel. Then one of the jerks did the math wrong and tried to charge me 5 figures when it was supposed to be a few hundred dollars and I had to go back and get him to fix it before paying. I did tell the female cashier that I didn't appreciate being singled out as a woman for spending money while traveling and she told me to send an email. I think if more people share the experience, perhaps the training will improve. It's all you can do really.
Wow.... that is such an ordeal - I'm so sorry that you have to go through it. I agree with the other posters that the last bit crossed the line from "having to do what they're supposed to because it's their job" to "power tripping because they can". It is one thing to quote the rules and tell you that you have to pay such and such, it's another to ask those questions. It's none of their business. Definitely look into filing a complaint. And avoid JFK (as a general rule, I do!).I flew back from Paris, via arriving JFK last Saturday.
One of the custom officers I had to deal with last April, aka the worst time I ever spent at JFK, was the person collecting the custom print outs. He immediately recognized me and pulled me out to the dreaded searching table area.
While I get why they have to go through your things, it is still somewhat humiliating process. Many that goes through custom do not declare whatever they bought breezes by. Yet even though I clearly had all my goods ready to be shown, they insists looking through the laundries and spend a long time laying all your personal belongings out there. This time the guy was nicer than the truly mean one in April, but still I felt as if I was getting treated as a criminal.
They also insisted I had lied and didn't click "Yes" for going over $800 exemption question. It was the most upsetting part as I clearly did click yes, which my sister also saw me doing so. One of the guys later informed the machine does not show the correct marker for duty if you get large X across the printout, so I was probably not lying. He then thought then why I didn't tell the officer who stamped my passport I shopped. OMG. He didn't as and that's why. I was only asked such question once by the stamping officer out of all my travels. He also acted as if it was wrong of me to not walk up to him and perhaps shout out "I need to declare." But he literally pulled me out of the line, even though I was actually closer to the other officer and didn't ask me if I bought anything.
My "nerd" officer, as called by the truly mean and rude one that treated me even worse in April, actually loves doing the math for the duty calculation. When they other officers would rather just apply a flat rate for all as getting the rate for each item is a tedious job, this guy seems to love doing it. He would actually write down every item and apply the rate according to the cateogry AND content of the item. For an exampe, a twilly gets a different rate from a CSGM. So as you can predict, the whole process takes a loooooong time to do. As I was aware he does that, I really wanted to avoid him. I was ready to pay the duty. I mean, I had bought so many things, there was no way to even trying to hide them. Just in the category of scarves/neckwear, I had 21 items!
By the time we left JFK, after paying over $1200, it was dinner time. And my flight arrived in mid afternoon.
Lastly, I really did not appreciate them asking what we did for work, how much money we make, if we were married, etc. I get the work related question must be appropriate, if one officer asked. But more officers came to check out what was happening one after one and they asked the same questions, with some just out of curiosity. One even asked how my parents feel about me spending money like so. Uhmm... Not happy? But why would that matter?
If you complain I would do so anonymously. While they are out of line, they are in the power position.
I wouldnt ship either, based on accounts I've read from people who have done it here. I ship my orange boxes back and its tempting to include clothes etc or some City Pharma haul inside but I never do. I figure doing so is an open invitation for them to open the contents, ruin my box and charge tax or whatever they do.
I guess you could ship your laundry back! Then you would only need to repack the new stuff.
But I would just avoid JFK. Kind of like how people avoid Dulles when coming in on tourist visas! Or Montreal...I have the worst luck with that airport immigration.
I wouldnt ship either, based on accounts I've read from people who have done it here. I ship my orange boxes back and its tempting to include clothes etc or some City Pharma haul inside but I never do. I figure doing so is an open invitation for them to open the contents, ruin my box and charge tax or whatever they do.
I guess you could ship your laundry back! Then you would only need to repack the new stuff.
But I would just avoid JFK. Kind of like how people avoid Dulles when coming in on tourist visas! Or Montreal...I have the worst luck with that airport immigration.
That question was actually asked by the nicest one. He was the one who believed I did not lie when using the custom machine and bypass the custom without declaring. I think he wanted to practice and utilize some Korean words he learned.
At first I thought it has to do with the fact I look younger than my age, as I still get IDed for things. Yet how young could I really look? It wasn't as if they would think I am a teenager.
Like you, I don't like to check bags and have only done carry ons most of my past trips. But it was extremely hard to pack this time, even with the extra large checked luggage, hence I thought about shipping.
However, there is really no point of shipping when I thought about this more. I mean they are probably going to pull me out every time from now on anyway, even if I really didn't buy anything. It's like being blacklisted, while not officially blacklisted for not declaring. As long as those officers who was familar with my last two trips are on duty at my arrival, they gonna think I must have lots of shopping.
At least I assumed the questions about job and salary must be somewhat acceptable. When my guy saw how there are so many items, he asked if I am selling them. So I think, job related questions, they are trying to see if you bought the items for your own use.
But my sis was especially annoyed with one of the guys who asked things like what does she design, (she works in fashion) and so and so. I think that guy was really just curious. And the questions you were asked were really out of place. Your DH obviously does not care how you shop and what difference does it make even if he does?
I had shipped boxes before, simply for the reason of them taking too much spaces in the luggage. This time I didn't, as I had a large bag to fit them in.
I'm supposed to be off to Milan in few months and already dreading the arrival back home. I have no plans to shop that trip, as it's a short trip and I have already done too much damage. But they'd probably want to look at my bag, even if I have zero thing to declare. Sigh...
If I can, I'd avoid JFK as you guys suggested. But as my home is NY, it is burdensome to fly into other airports, unless I'm flying back the other way from Asia. Sis suggested I shall drop American Airlines and use British Airways instead, as they use a different terminal, lol.
The last time I flew back home with British, the only question custom officer asked was "what kind of charm is over $1000?" (It was a Karlito) But all was well besides that, so perhaps BA is way to go.
I was thinking the same - I would start going to Newark. The counting and searching is annoying enough, but where you work, what you do, what your parents think - is way out of line, IMO.
Sounds as if they think they are speed dating or something.
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