Customs at which airport?
#1
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Customs at which airport?
<b>Trip 1</b>
I am flying MSP-ORD-AMS-BCN. Tim is flying a different day MSP-AMS-BCN. All flights are on Northwest and KLM.
We return BCN-LHR-ORD-MSP on British Airways, United, and Northwest.
Will we go through customs on the way to Barcelona in Amsterdam or Barcelona?
On the return, will we need to go through customs in Heathrow? And Chicago?
<b>Trip 2</b>
MSP-AMS-FCO, returning VCE-AMS-MSP on Northwest and KLM flights.
I am assuming customs in Amsterdam on the way there and Minneapolis on the way home?
Thanks!
Liz
I am flying MSP-ORD-AMS-BCN. Tim is flying a different day MSP-AMS-BCN. All flights are on Northwest and KLM.
We return BCN-LHR-ORD-MSP on British Airways, United, and Northwest.
Will we go through customs on the way to Barcelona in Amsterdam or Barcelona?
On the return, will we need to go through customs in Heathrow? And Chicago?
<b>Trip 2</b>
MSP-AMS-FCO, returning VCE-AMS-MSP on Northwest and KLM flights.
I am assuming customs in Amsterdam on the way there and Minneapolis on the way home?
Thanks!
Liz
#2
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First of all, understand the terms we use these days:
1. Immigration/Passport control is where you show your passport to have it inspected/stamped.
2. Customs is where you declare goods to import to a country. For tourists going to Europe, customs usually mean walking straight through the green doors and that's it.
Anyways:
MSP-ORD-AMS-BCN and MSP-AMS-BCN on NW/KL.
You clear immigration at AMS but no need to pick up bags there. Pick up bags at BCN, and if nothing do declare, walk through green doors and that's it.
BCN-LHR-ORD-MSP on BA/UA/NW.
The tricky part is that BA usually do not forward baggage at LHR to non-partner airlines if the flights are not on the same tickets/itneraries. This means you need to go through UK immigration, pick up bags, go through customs. Check-in and drop bags at UA counter, go through UK immigration and security again.
And of course getting back to ORD, you need to go through US immigration, pick up bags, go through customs. If you bags have been tagged to MSP, then you can drop off bags there, then ride train to NW's terminal, get boarding pass, and then reclear security.
1. Immigration/Passport control is where you show your passport to have it inspected/stamped.
2. Customs is where you declare goods to import to a country. For tourists going to Europe, customs usually mean walking straight through the green doors and that's it.
Anyways:
MSP-ORD-AMS-BCN and MSP-AMS-BCN on NW/KL.
You clear immigration at AMS but no need to pick up bags there. Pick up bags at BCN, and if nothing do declare, walk through green doors and that's it.
BCN-LHR-ORD-MSP on BA/UA/NW.
The tricky part is that BA usually do not forward baggage at LHR to non-partner airlines if the flights are not on the same tickets/itneraries. This means you need to go through UK immigration, pick up bags, go through customs. Check-in and drop bags at UA counter, go through UK immigration and security again.
And of course getting back to ORD, you need to go through US immigration, pick up bags, go through customs. If you bags have been tagged to MSP, then you can drop off bags there, then ride train to NW's terminal, get boarding pass, and then reclear security.
#3
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Entering Europe (Schengen countries), immigration formalities in the country wher your flight from the U.
s. arrives, and customs (not that you'd notice) at the final destination airport. Usually.
Arriving in the U.S., both immigration and customs at first U.S. airport. Always.
s. arrives, and customs (not that you'd notice) at the final destination airport. Usually.
Arriving in the U.S., both immigration and customs at first U.S. airport. Always.
#4
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Thanks rkkwan
I am interested in if/when I need to get my bags and re-check them, not about passport control. Sorry I wasn't more specific.
Trip 1 is all on one ticket so bags should be checked through to final destinations. I am hoping I won't have to pick up bags in LHR.
Thanks again!
I am interested in if/when I need to get my bags and re-check them, not about passport control. Sorry I wasn't more specific.
Trip 1 is all on one ticket so bags should be checked through to final destinations. I am hoping I won't have to pick up bags in LHR.
Thanks again!
#6
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Yes, it's all on one ticket, purchased through www.orbitz.com
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#8
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Watch out for different security regulations for carry-on luggage within EU, esp regarding liquids and strict one-bag-per-person rule. This affects you as you transit through AMS on the way over and security control at BCN in Trip 1 and AMS and VCE in Trip 2.