Fifth, and this is a big one: know what is in your bags at all times. Take pictures if you need. There are tons and tons of stories of people getting stopped for bringing an apple in from overseas. (Yes, a single apple from the airport counts as a fruit and vegetable).
Totally. I’m extremely paranoid about this, since it’s the easiest thing to control, and pack any fruit in a ziplock bag that I put in front of my seat and not in a bag, should they’re be any leftover
It was a banana, but yes. Me+wife had been pulled aside for a random check. Truthfully said, yes, we had permitted foods - candy, mostly.
Last moment before CBP went through bags, I recalled a stray "saving it for later" from my wife, about bananas we'd just received as a snack from attendants...
Exactly. They are looking for foods that might damage American agriculture by carrying pests and diseases, so sealed processed food is fine. I've heard, though that honey, nuts, seeds can lead to an inspection.
Totally. The CBP officer at the time actually said it's wise to err on the side of declaring whatever foodstuff you have, even if it's allowed or prepackaged. So I always do. 🤷🏻♀️
Sixth: don’t test the personal exemption limits. You can bring one bottle of liquor (with some various exceptions for the Caribbean) and a limited amount of personal goods. And tariffs are changing this constantly.
Seventh: have all your documentation handy and organized. This means visa applications, invitation letters, return flight itineraries, hell, the receipt from the photo studio where you got your photo taken. Make sure your passport has at least 6 months of validity, no damage, and free space.
I would add to take the country requirements very seriously. For instance, Spain requires you have proof of funds to a certain level. I have never been asked for it, but I’m sure as hell taking it this year! Many countries have such requirements. Look them up and follow to the letter.
I would add: keep medications (both OTC and prescriptions) in original, clearly labeled, containers.
This is annoying because the bottles may be big and using smaller bottles saves space. But you don't want any questions about what's what.
Overpriced travel bottles (with only 12 pills) are a plus
For US travelers
Countries view drugs differently
Acetaminophen is OTC in US is
Paracetamol in some places that require a prescription.
If you pick something up overseas, know how it's viewed in the US
Eighth: keep receipts. Paper is king! Ask your hotel for an printed invoice if you’re staying at a hotel. Otherwise, keep documentation of where you were on what days. Say you go to Turkey. “Did you travel to Syria?” “No. Here’s my hotel invoice for five nights in İzmir.”
As you note, this is good advice always in every country. I lived in Australia and Germany on residency visas and in both cases, they have different laws about free speech. I avoided social media and especially political topics. I was still questioned leaving Germany once and re-entering U.S. once.
Really, this is crazy. I entered the UAE 🇦🇪 yesterday and felt welcome from the very first moment I stepped out the plane. What happened to the 🇺🇸? Do they really want to become the next DPRK 🇰🇵?
Comments
Blows my mind the number of people advertising that their house will be empty.
They didn't even take the apple in the end, me thinks it wasn't about the apple
This was in 1999
Last moment before CBP went through bags, I recalled a stray "saving it for later" from my wife, about bananas we'd just received as a snack from attendants...
Even if you didn’t have anything to leave.
If you did bring food with you for the plane, then do just that so that you walk through Passport Control 100% clean.
Me: (pleasantly): "Yes. 1 bottle of wine, 2 boxes of chocolates, and 7 bags of Haribo gummy Smurfs, all unopened."
CBP: "Oh ok yeah that's fine lol"
This is annoying because the bottles may be big and using smaller bottles saves space. But you don't want any questions about what's what.
Overpriced travel bottles (with only 12 pills) are a plus
Countries view drugs differently
Acetaminophen is OTC in US is
Paracetamol in some places that require a prescription.
If you pick something up overseas, know how it's viewed in the US
It seems like a sensible thing to do just in case but I don't know if it could also give the impression of being "too prepared, therefore suspicious".