Honeymoon in the US

BrookieD

Hi Guys,
i am off to the US (West Coast) on Sep 4th and was wondering what to expect from Customs in the US, General waiting times to get through the airport in LA etc.. We have to change flights as the Dublin flight goes to Atlanta and then we connect to a flight to LA.

Should we expect hours in a queue or what?

first time flying over there so a bit nervous about having everthing correct.

We have our passports, flight tickets, Delta know where we are staying in Beverly Hills on our first night as i was told this was a requirment. Is there anything else i should look out for.

Were only going for 2 weeks also, so no Visa i have been told.

Thanks for any advice.

FlutterinBantam

hopefully not.... you will have done all yer customs/immigration in Dublin...filling out the various bits... if not direct from Dub To Atl then the formalities will be completed in Hartsfield Intl.... LAX will be the least of your probs.... not that you will have any of course....ok?

ircoha

FlutterinBantam wrote:

hopefully not.... you will have done all yer customs/immigration in Dublin...filling out the various bits... if not direct from Dub To Atl then the formalities will be completed in Hartsfield Intl.... LAX will be the least of your probs.... not that you will have any of course....ok?

Not quite as simple as that.
The Dublin end is as follows:
You check in as normal and the baggage is taken from you.

You go through security and then in Area B, between gates B22 and B23 u go downstairs to the US Dept of Immigration and get processed there.
This bit deals with whether they are going to let you in.

On the plane u will get some papers re Customs to be filled out re the value of good carried etc and this form will be viewed by US CUSTOMS in where ever u land.
This also asks about food items etc.
This bit deals with what you want to bring in.
The customs limits are quite low c 200usd or less.

FlutterinBantam

Err...kinda like what i said......

You won't get the customs (white) forms on board .. youl'l get em at check -in

BrookieD

cheers lads,
i am only taking clothes, and my Nikon D70 with lens' etc. will i need to tell them about the camera? no food stuff or anything like that

glad i asked now ;-)

Benster

Good questions, all of 'em, Brookie.

I'm flying out the day after you (also on my honeymoon) to Chicago and the above points about minimum declarable goods value affect me too, also with camera gear.

Same question - would an SLR camera and several lenses (total value no more than €1500) need to be declared to customs on the way over there?

I've never done anything like that before, when flying within Europe, but it's been years since I was in the super-regulated US.

On another point: I remember after 9/11 hearing that US immigration requested your credit card number as well as all the usual passport stuff. Is this true and still happening?

Cheers,

B.

Ruu_Old

Benster, that passenger information thing has been happening for a while afaik. They are meant to be stopping it as its against EU laws but I'm not sure about it.

Remember to bring plenty of money for petrol OP if you are renting a car.

BrookieD

@Ruu
we are renting a 4.0l jeep. ;-)
should run through the juice quickly enough.

Ruu_Old

D'oh, you certainly will. Safe trip and have fun anyway.

dingding

Just make sure you both have a machine readable passport and I think there is a limit on the amount of time left on it. If your passports are to expire in the next 18 months, probably better to do some more research.

Where are you staying in Beverley hills, stayed there recently in the Hilton.

Enjoy the trip.

BrookieD

@dingodong, my own passport will expie in 12 months??????
We are staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel on Sunset Blvd

Just found this, i should be fine

Passport Validity

If traveling under the Visa Waiver Program, the passport must be valid for at least 90 days from the date on which the holder enters the United States. If not, the holder will be admitted until the expiration date on the passport. Note: Passport holders from Andorra, Brunei, and San Marino must be in possession of a passport valid for at least six months from the date of departure from the United States, even if traveling visa free under the Visa Waiver Program.