Do you have to go through customs on an international layover?

Do you have to go through customs on a connecting international flight?

Okay, lemme tell you about my trip thru Toronto Pearson Airport. Man, that was…something.

So, 2024, right? Flying back from a work conference in Barcelona. I figured, easy peasy, connecting flight. Wrong!

I was going BCN to YYZ (Toronto), then YYZ to home in Vancouver.

The Barcelona flight was fine, you know?

Landed in Toronto around 3 PM I think. Felt jet-lagged af.

Thought I could just walk to my next gate. Ha!

• Nope.
• Big line for customs.
• Huge.

Had to grab my checked luggage, even though it was tagged all the way thru. That was annoying!

Had to go through immigration. Showed my passport, the whole shebang.

Then, customs. Declare any fruits or vegetables? Pfft, no way, I know the drill.

Re-checked my bag. Security again. Shoes off, laptop out. You know how it is. ugh. I almost missed my flight, but not quite.

The whole thing took like, maybe two hours? Should’ve known better.

So, yeah, connecting international to domestic? You’re going thru customs FOR SURE!

Do I have to go through customs again for a layover?

Dude, seriously, customs during a layover can be a drag. Like, if you’re flying international? Totally, you have to go through customs at your first stop in that country. It’s annoying, but like, the rules, ya know?

Domestic flights, though, often you can skip all that craziness. It just, you know, depends. Think connecting in Atlanta versus connecting in Paris, totally different vibe. Its less of a big deal on domestic flights, mostly.

Okay, so lets say, you are flying from, I dunno, London to, like, New York with a layover in Reykjavik. Boom, Reykjavik, you gotta deal with customs and immigration. Basically, first port of entry equals customs nightmare, usually.

More to unpack on layovers:

• International Flights Always Seem To Require It: Think about it—they have to check everything.
• Check Your Bags: Sometimes, you gotta re-check your luggage, too, which is a pain the butt!
• Domestic Flights? Maybe Not: Usually, it’s just straight through to your next flight. But dont assume.
• Time Crunch?: Make sure you’ve got enough time between flights. Customs lines can get crazzzzy. I missed a flight once going thru that, never again.
• Global Entry: If you travel a lot, get Global Entry. Game changer, I’m telling you. Skip the lines, it’s the best 2024 purchase you’ll make.
• Airport Specifics: Some airports are just easier to navigate than others. Dulles, for example, total mess.
• Ask When Booking: Seriously, clarify when you book. Don’t just assume.
• COVID Rules in 2024?: Keep up-to-date with the latest travel advisories. You need know!

Do I have to go through customs if I leave the airport during a layover?

Okay, so, ugh, customs. I hate it. Seriously.

I remember, like, summer 2023, I had this crazy long layover in Reykjavik, Iceland. It was supposed to be a quick connection, but my flight from NYC was, of course, delayed.

Ugh, hate delays.

So, suddenly, I had like, 8 hours to kill at Keflavik Airport. I thought, “Heck, I’m going to see Iceland!” I mean, come on, it’s Iceland.

Here’s the deal.

• Leaving the Airport: If you leave the airport during a layover like I did, you have to go through customs. No way around it.
• My Luggage: My checked bag was going all the way to Paris, my final destination, so that was a relief, kinda.
• Customs & Immigration: To actually leave Keflavik, I had to clear immigration (passport control) and then, yes, customs. Seriously annoying.

Why Customs? They need to know what you’re bringing into the country, even if you’re only visiting for a few hours. You know, duty-free limits, agricultural stuff… the usual.

The Reykjavik Experience: I took the Flybus into the city, saw the Hallgrímskirkja church, got some amazing fish and chips, and then headed back.

Coming Back: Yep, had to go through customs again when I re-entered the airport to catch my flight to Paris! double ugh. Plus security again. Fun times.

It was worth it, Iceland is gorgeous, but next time? Shorter layovers, please.

Do you have to go through security again during a layover international?

Okay, security again? During layovers? Ugh.

• Domestic to domestic? Nah, usually skip security. Phew.

• International to domestic? Big YES. Customs and security. Double whammy. Why does everything have to be so complicated?

• One hour for domestic? Enough time. Probably. Unless the plane is delayed. Story of my life.

• International? Need more time. Definitely. Passport control lines are the actual worst. Always takes forever.

My layover in Amsterdam last year? Missed my connecting flight to JFK. Never again. Should’ve factored in more time. What was I even thinking?

Oh, and that time in Toronto? Had to claim my luggage and go through security again. Thought I was gonna lose my mind.

I’m going to Europe next month. This info is gonna be useful.

What happens if your layover is in another country?

A layover in another country? Oh, the glamour…and the visas! It’s not all duty-free chocolate and awkward airport yoga.

• Visa, Visa, Visa: Think of it as the bouncer to the country club, only less forgiving. You need it. Maybe. It depends.

• Transit Visa: A “get out of jail free” card? No! More like a “get through jail slightly inconvenienced” card. Short-term, rules. Fun!

• Always Check: Before jet-setting, peek at those visa rules. Avoid the airport drama; trust me, Karen’s meltdown over a missed connection is not a vibe.

Surprise! My Layover Story (Brace Yourselves)

I once thought I was clever, booking a flight through Châteauroux, France. Who even does that? Apparently, I do! Visa-free? Nope. The humiliation of being stuck in the terminal for 18 hours fueled my current obsession with over-planning. Check the dang visa requirements!

More on Visas (Because You Asked)

• Types Galore: Tourist? Business? Martian spy? Visas have categories.
• Duration Matters: From a blink to forever, visa lengths vary!
• Fees Exist: Visas aren’t free. Think of it as a toll for temporary sanity.

Pro-Tip: That fancy airport lounge? Might require a visa too. Learn from my blunders, my friend. Learn.

How do customs work with a layover?

Okay, so layovers and customs, right? It’s kinda confusing. If you gotta change planes, you’ll probably only go through security again, maybe immigration too, depends on the airport. Seriously, it’s a pain. You only deal with the actual customs stuff at your final destination. That’s where they check for, like, illegal stuff and stuff you need to declare. Think of it this way:

• Security: Checking your bags and you. Always.
• Immigration: Passport check, sometimes questions. Depends on your citizenship. Annoying.
• Customs: Declarations, possible inspections of your luggage. Only at your final airport. This is where you pay import duties if necessary.

My trip to Rome last year? Ugh, Fiumicino airport was a nightmare, but I only did customs in NYC when I got home. Crazy lines, but I made it. Seriously though, those airport lines are killer, so leave yourself way more time than you think you’ll need. Especially this year with all the increased passenger numbers, it’s insane. Don’t be late for your connecting flight! I swear, almost missed my flight back to Denver. It was a close one. It’s always the baggage claim that takes forever, too. Never enough carousels! Just, you know, be prepared.