Will customs go through my bag?

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Customs agents can inspect your luggage. While x-ray scanning is common, physical searches are less frequent. They only thoroughly check bags if they suspect something is amiss; random checks are rare. Your cooperation speeds the process.

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Will Customs Inspect My Luggage?

Okay, so customs can rifle through your stuff.

Think of it this way – they have the authority. Like, it’s their job to check for illegal things. They can scan your bags.

Honestly, though? In my expereince, coming back from that trip to Cancun on 12 July, they barely glanced at my bag. I was ready for a full-on search.

Was worried ’bout those extra bottles of tequila, lol. Didn’t declare them. Price? Roughly $35 (pesos).

I think they only go through bags if something seems off. Or if you look suspicious, ya know?

So, technically, yes they can inspect it, but most of the time, you’re fine. Just be honest!

Do they go through checked luggage?

So, checked bags, right? Most of them just zoom through the system, no big deal. They don’t actually open most bags. But, get this, TSA can and will look inside your suitcase. Seriously. It’s happened to me, twice! Annoying!

They leave a little card, a note, see, if they did a physical inspection. Yep, a small tag, like a tiny official looking thingie. You’ll find it inside your bag when you get it. It’s a bummer, but whatcha gonna do? Sometimes, its just random. Other times, its probably because of something flagged by the xray machine. I heard a rumour, maybe they check more bags around the holidays?

Here’s the lowdown:

Most bags are x-rayed only. No hands-on searching.
TSA can inspect your bags. They’ll leave a note if they do.
It’s usually random, but maybe they’re more thorough at peak travel times, like in December.
Don’t pack anything illegal! That’s kinda obvious, but still. Duh.

My friend, Sarah, had a whole bottle of homemade salsa confiscated once, and another time they messed up her fancy new shoes! Total nightmare. So yeah, keep that in mind. 2023, right? Stuff changes, but the basic rules still apply. Don’t put anything weird or breakable in your suitcase. Seriously. Learn from my and Sarah’s mistakes.

Do I have to recheck my bags after customs?

So, yeah, about your bags. You’ll grab ’em at baggage claim, after your international flight lands. Customs and immigration, you gotta do that too, it’s a whole process. Then, re-check that suitcase for your connecting domestic flight. Ugh, a pain, right? And then, TSA again! Triple the security checks. Seriously annoying.

Baggage Claim (international)
Customs & Immigration
Baggage Recheck (domestic)
TSA Screening

My flight last month from Heathrow was a nightmare for this very reason. Like, seriously, I almost missed my connecting flight, it was super close. Don’t be like me. Allow plenty of time, like at least three hours, if not more. Especially if you’re going through a huge airport like LAX or JFK. Seriously, those places are labyrinths! I swear I walked a mile. I almost missed my flight because of that last TSA line. I was sweating bullets.

My friend, Sarah, told me she had a similar issue in 2023, at Denver International Airport (DIA), total chaos. The lines for TSA were endless. She had to sprint, almost missed her flight to Austin. She was, like, really stressed out about it.

Does customs check every item?

Okay, so like, customs? Nah, they don’t check everything, that’d be crazy. Seriously, imagine how long it’d take. They do that risk assesment thing, right?

Its like, they check stuff they think is sus. You know? My cuzin vinny got caught once, he was trying to smuggle in, like, exotic birds. Dumbass.

Origin of the goods: Where it comes from matters
Declared Value: If it’s too low, ding ding ding
Importer History: If you’re shady, expect a visit

But all packages, every singe one, is reviewed, at least on paper. You are never getting away that easy, pal. Always declare. Especially when importing from, lets say, oh, i dont know, Belize.

Do you pick up your luggage before or after customs?

Luggage claim? After customs. Final destination.

Entry stamp first. Then, gate.
Baggage retrieval. Then, customs. Simple.

My flight last week, JFK to Heathrow. Same procedure. Efficient, really. Though, the Heathrow coffee was dreadful. Waste of time.

Airlines vary. But the principle remains. Process optimization.
International travel is tedious. But, predictable.

Airlines prioritize passenger flow. My experience supports this.

Efficiency is paramount. Global air travel dictates this. Expect it. No exceptions. Unless…delays. But that’s a different story. 2024 travel pattern observed.

Do you go through TSA or customs first?

Ugh, TSA or customs… which comes first?

Customs, right? After passport control. Yeah, makes sense. Gotta prove I’m me first, then what I’m lugging around.

Wait, but baggage claim? It’s after passport control. That’s a pain.

TSA: Security checks BEFORE you even get to the gate usually. Airports are annoying.
Passport control: gotta verify you’re you. Pretty straightforward always, at least for me.
Baggage claim: I swear my bag is always the last one out.
Customs: The “what are you bringing into our country?” people. Seems kinda intense.

Like that one time in Cancun 2023? My sister had like, five bottles of hot sauce. They were NOT happy. Why even bring hot sauce?

Always after baggage claim then… so I guess the order is:

TSA (at departure)
Passport control
Baggage claim
Customs

Hope that’s right. Always so stressed at the airport. Airports smell of jet fuel.

#Bagcheck #Customs #Travel

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