How to Make Returning to the US Smoother
When planning an international trip, most travelers put all their energy into preparing for the journey out—double-checking passports, securing visas, and making sure every detail is in order before departure. But what many forget is that coming home can be just as tricky. From customs surprises to overlooked rules, returning to the U.S. has its own set of pitfalls.
Here are five simple things you can do to make your return trip go more smoothly.
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Remember to Declare Food
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Arrive to the Airport With Time to Spare
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Know What Items You Can Bring Back
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Check Your Duty-Free Allowances
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Utilize Expedited Entry Methods
You might have forgotten about that banana you bought at your departure airport or the souvenir candy you’re bringing back from abroad―but failing to declare any food that you’re bringing into the U.S. can be a big mistake. If you don’t declare food when entering the U.S. and you get caught, you can face fines of up to $10,000. One unlucky traveler was even fined $500 and had her Global Entry membership revoked after failing to declare the apple that she had taken from her in-flight meal with her off the plane and into the U.S.
You shouldn’t be afraid to declare food at the border, as most packaged food products (like candy, breads, crackers, etc.) can be brought in without issue, and won’t even need to be inspected. You’ll only face additional questioning for products like fruits, meats, eggs, and other similar items.
When you’re still in vacation mode, planning to arrive at the airport three or more hours before your flight home can feel like a huge buzzkill―but cutting it too close can be especially risky when you’re flying back to the U.S. after a trip abroad.
In addition to checking in, flyers will usually have to wait in lines to clear customs. Additionally, depending on the destination, you may be flying out of a “sterile gate.” In this instance, you’ll have to go through an extra ticket check (and might be selected randomly for further security screenings) before being allowed into the waiting area at your gate.
All of these can add up to a lot of extra time from when you enter the airport to when you board your plane. Even if you arrive before the check-in counter closes, you may not make your flight if subsequent lines are long. To avoid stress, plan to get there early and allow extra time for delays.
Certain items that are perfectly legal to buy abroad can land you in trouble if you bring them back into the U.S. For example, absinthe containing thujone and Cuban cigars are both banned from being imported. Even if you bought them legally overseas, you could still face confiscation or fines if you try to bring them into the country.
Other prohibited items include counterfeit goods, certain animal products (like ivory), and medications that aren’t approved by the FDA. Just because you can walk into a pharmacy abroad and buy something over the counter doesn’t mean you can legally bring it through U.S. customs. Always check the rules for medications and restricted goods before packing them in your bag.
Shopping at duty-free can feel like a steal—but remember that “duty-free” doesn’t mean “limitless.” The U.S. only allows travelers to bring back up to $800 worth of duty-free purchases per person (with some exceptions for alcohol and tobacco, depending on where you’re arriving from). Go over the limit, and you’ll need to pay customs duty on the excess.
Be especially careful if you’re traveling with alcohol. The standard allowance is one liter per person, but if you’re arriving from the U.S. Virgin Islands or certain Caribbean nations, you may be able to bring back more. Check the latest regulations for your destination before you shop, or you could end up with an expensive surprise at the border.
After a long international flight, the last thing you want to do is stand in an hour-long line at immigration. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do ahead of your trip to make your re-entry much faster. Programs like Global Entry allow pre-approved travelers to skip regular customs lines, speeding up the entire process. Although there’s an application fee and interview process, frequent international travelers often find the time saved to be well worth it.
If you don’t have Global Entry, you can still cut down your wait time with the Mobile Passport Control app, which is free to use and accepted at most major U.S. airports. By submitting your passport and customs declaration information through the app ahead of time, you can join shorter lines when you land. Not taking advantage of these options can mean the difference between breezing through customs and being stuck in a long, frustrating wait.