USA Customs Question

jonny68

Right ive not been to the USA (New York) since 2001 before 9/11 and all the stringent security checks,etc and im going to Boston in 2 weeks, just wondering what to expect when i arrive @ Logan Intl Airport, is security tight/lots of questions,etc, or do you just fill in the landing form (or something to that effect) and go through?;)

PCros

I went to Newark last December and the security is just like that of Dublin. If your flying via Shannon you will clear customs in Shannon by filling out the forms there and get them stamped etc in Shannon so when you arrive in the States you just go through as if you were an American citizen.

Its so handy, you actually bypass huge lines of people waiting in customs in New York.

paddylonglegs

Customs at Shannon aren't the best part of your holiday,they're a bunch of ****.

Ruu_Old

They are just doing their job at the end of the day. You have nothing to hide I'm sure so you'll be fine. Are you flying direct?

FlutterinBantam

paddylonglegs wrote:

Customs at Shannon aren't the best part of your holiday,they're a bunch of ****.

Explain and discuss giving examples of wankerdom!!

Naked Lepper

if you fly through dublin you will also clear us immigration before leaving

im sure you are aware of this johnny and you are probs flyin thru london or something if you are going to be doin the visa waiver form on board the flight.. aint been to boston before but been to NY loads of times and it will be a breeze for ya

paddylonglegs

Ah well,after getting asked abruptly did I have any food stuffs in my bag I said in a quivering irish voice "only a packet of cola bottles" I was further interogated and asked if they been opened or tampered with,had anyone else used the bag.Little did he know that i don't share cola bottles with ANYONE!

Then as I put my finger print on the little tablet he told me,didn't ask,told me to push my finger down harder.When it wouldn't go down any harder without breaking the glass underneath he proceeded to mash my forefinger down leaving it with pins n needles and druelling in palm sweat.yum

Meanwhile my girlfriend was told she couldn't go to the USA because the apartment number of friends we were staying with were placed after the neighbourhood name on the visa card.How are two boggers meant to know?This was obviously a huge deal as the customs officer got seriously stressed out, threathening that she would have to stay behind.So we had to submit the private mobile number of our hosts because a landline wasn't available.

Way to paranoid.So intrusive.

After that you go down to where the irish personell check your bags for liquid.They are very pleasant.

Don't worry about it tho.have a great trip!!!

irishpartyboy

I've gone thru customs in Dublin and Shannon a few times. It's more of an intimidating experience more than anything else. If you've a clean criminal record then you've really nothing to worry about

When I was heading over there last September, the customs guy was asking me about Ryder Cup so was ok. But he did ask me about when's the last time I was in the States, I thought it was like 2 years but it was 4 years previously.. the guy has all the info on screen already so he's really just checking you out.. but wasn't a problem.

I hear they're bringing in finger printing from now on :eek: on and remember to have the address of where your staying on your form.. this is a MUST. If you dont have an address, they they could not let you thru..

BuffyBot

jonny68 wrote:

Right ive not been to the USA (New York) since 2001 before 9/11 and all the stringent security checks,etc and im going to Boston in 2 weeks, just wondering what to expect when i arrive @ Logan Intl Airport, is security tight/lots of questions,etc, or do you just fill in the landing form (or something to that effect) and go through?;)

Assuming you're not importing cola bottles or any other irrelevant paraphenalia, then you will fill in a green visa waiver form for Immigration and a blue/white customs form.

Depending on where you clear security (Ireland or the US) you will hand in the green form, have a bit of it stapled to your passport (to be taken back on the return journey) by immigration and have prints taken from both index fingers on a scanner and a photo of your face taken before you go (Dublin/Shannon) or when you arrive (US). Once that's done and they've asked any questions they want to (why are you here, how long etc) you'll be cleared to go through. The Immigration process is a pain, but not the end of the word. If you get a decent agent, it's pretty painless.

jonny68

Cheers for the advice folks, im flying via London as Aer Lingus was too expensive, should be cool enough hopefully, they'll see the stamp on my passport anyway that ive been to NYC before.;)

FlutterinBantam

I think you guys are mixing up US Immigration and Customs

vibrant

paddylonglegs wrote:

Meanwhile my girlfriend was told she couldn't go to the USA because the apartment number of friends we were staying with were placed after the neighbourhood name on the visa card.How are two boggers meant to know?This was obviously a huge deal as the customs officer got seriously stressed out, threathening that she would have to stay behind.So we had to submit the private mobile number of our hosts because a landline wasn't available.

Sheesh... what if you were going on a multi-city visit, or would that be too much for them to comprehend? You'd have to hand them over your entire itinerary, along with hotel numbers I suppose? How awful. This sort of stuff seriously saddens me, and is kind of putting me off visiting the US. Yes, I know that these precautions were put in place because of 9/11 but I think they are WAY too extreme.

I trust your gf got to get through immigration in the end, right paddylonglegs?

netwhizkid

I always give the address of relatives who live in New York, which is okay as I usually pop in to see them while in the States if in the NYC area.

I have no problems with the US immigration, [snip][/snip]

They ask simple enough questions like, are you working, who paid for the ticket, purpose of visit etc. The rule is be serious and answer all questions truthfully, they don't want to know "how are you?" their aim is to process people through efficiently and filter out the undesirables which is a good system. Once you clear that desk in Shannon it is as if you are on American Soil.

jmayo

Ok if you haven't been to US since 2001 then they will get fingerprint both left and right index fingers.
I was in US 2 weeks ago having arrived from NZ and when arrived at LAX, they scan your passport, check that it has the bar code thingy on bottom of picture page. Make sure your passport has that.
Then you are finger printed and they you have to look at little camera.
Then when you are leaving, this is SFO anyway, you go to nice little console, where nice lady scans your passport, finger prints you again and takes picture again. The system recognises you since you are on file.
I could have shaved the beard and see if machine through a hissy fit but I just wanted to go home and not to San Quentin or Cuba.

I presume Shannon/Dublin have this capability for entry otherwise it will be done when get to States ?
Also make sure you have address of hotel or accomodation on immigration card. We had to put this on card before left NZ even though we did not have accomodation since leaving airport on roadtrip after got to US.
We put Airport Hilton and that was ok.

If guy travelling alone be prepared for questioning, especially if you have turban and are anyway tanned.
Happy travels.