In what language should I address foreign customs and immigration?

1. Is customs and immigration the same thing?
2. What does customs check for?
3. What do US customs ask?
4. How do you go through customs at an airport?
5. How long does Customs usually take?
6. What do immigration officers see on their screen?
7. Does Customs blacklist your address?
8. Do customs open all packages?
9. What should you not say at customs?
10. Can US immigration check your phone?
11. What happens if refused entry to us?
12. Can customs check your bank account?

Is customs and immigration the same thing?

What is the difference between customs and immigration? “Immigration” is about the people traveling from one country to another. It's sometimes called “passport control” or “border control” depending on the airport. “Customs” is about the stuff those people are carrying with them.

What does customs check for?

The US Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, is tasked with screening all of them. They're looking for anything that isn't legally allowed in the US; certain foods, animals, drugs, and counterfeit goods.

What do US customs ask?

Be Prepared for Questions From CBP Officials

• Why are you visiting the United States? ...
• Where will you be staying? ...
• Who will you be visiting? ...
• How long will you be staying? ...
• How much money do you have available for this trip? ...
• Have you visited the United States before, and if so, how long did you stay?

How do you go through customs at an airport?

Step-by-Step: The Customs Process

1. Board Your Departing Flight. ...
2. Fill Out Your Customs Form. ...
3. Head to Passport Control. ...
4. Claim Your Luggage and Clear Customs. ...
5. Enjoy Your Trip.

How long does Customs usually take?

Top 10 Longest Customs Wait Times

Travelers should expect to spend around 26 minutes on average to get through customs at either airport. Even worse, average maximum wait times at both airports exceeds 45 minutes.

What do immigration officers see on their screen?

Information on the crossing—such as name, date and country of birth, and other biographical information; the dates and locations of previous border crossings; citizenship or immigration status; and a host of other related information—is stored in the TECS database, which contains a master crossing record for every ...

Does Customs blacklist your address?

Basically, customs keep a list of names and addresses associated with every seizure. ... Customs will only open some of the packages. If your adress is blacklisted there's a huge chance that they will check your package if it's in the "case" they are checking.

Do customs open all packages?

Do customs open every package to verify information? No, customs officers will not open up your package or packages without good reason. Every package is put through a scanner machine, or an x-ray machine, to verify that the items you are shipping match your customs forms.

What should you not say at customs?

Things You Should Not Say at Customs

• “ I'm not sure where I'm staying”
• “ I don't know how long I'll be here”
• “ I'm nervous”
• “ I'm not sure if I have any agricultural products”
• Just don't be rude to the officer!

Can US immigration check your phone?

A US appeals court has ruled that Customs and Border Protection agents can conduct in-depth searches of phones and laptops, overturning an earlier legal victory for civil liberties groups.

What happens if refused entry to us?

If you are denied entry by US Immigration, the airline is responsible to fly you back to your country of origin - or at least wherever your arriving flight came from.

Can customs check your bank account?

no, they usually do not access your bank account unless there is concern for national security.