U.S customs check?

[Guest]

All--

Just did some quick calcualtions, I entered the US a total of 117 times in 2001. I used POE's in: ANC,HNL,SEA,SFO,LAX,ONT,MIA,JFK,ORD,IAD,EWR,IAH,SJU,BOS,ATL and MSP... (phew!)

Of course, each time I was processed in accordance with standing USCS policy and practice...

I can honestly say that the USCS does an excellent job given the circumstances that they have to work with.. Of course, in a perfect world, you'd inspect everyone and everything to be safe and fair. But we all know that in places like JFK/LAX/MIA that will never happen.. You'd be lucky to get a physical inspection of just 5%..

Obviously in my line of work and given my number of entries, I've been subject to the entire range of examinations.. all the way from "Hello. Didn't I see you three days ago? Have a nice day!" (in ANC) up to and including "Please take your luggage over to the third door and wait inside for an inspector (in ORD)...

I've always said "Don't mess around with your Customs Declaration". Remember that it IS indeed a legal declaration. It's also the first and quickest tool that will be used by the USCS to determine how you're processed.. Declare everything that you have.. plain and simple.. not difficult.

Second, KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) Don't bring back stuff that you know (or should reasonably know) is prohibited or will cause delays (food items for example)

The USCS has a series of very time-tested methods for determining who they will subject to a more detailed examination.

--UPSer

PS: Smittyjp, USCS, America's oldest and most profitable revenue generator! Indeed!

[ January 12, 2002: Message edited by: UPSer ]

[shygye]

UPSer,

I have gotten my bags searched twice. Once at LAX and once at DTW. The agent at LAX was rude and impolite. The agent at DTW was polite while doing a much more through search. It does not cost the agent anything to be polite.

I just hate to think of tourists coming to America and their first impression of Americans is a rude, impolite customs agent.

[Old Hippie]

I think it all depends on where you enter, and who you get. I once re-entered in ORD9Chicago) and was asked how much I spent in Korea, I told him around $100usd, which threw up a red flag, even though it was the truth. Result was a thourgh search of my bags. LAX and SFO haven't been a problem. I even declared my 6 bottles of Mekong and they didn't seem to care. So I guess just be honest. As for games, cds etc, I think if they are all different, then it shouldn't be a problem, as clearly you are not trying to resell 50 of the same thing...

[Guest]

shygye--

I've had my share of "rude" agents as well.. Like all large companies or organizations, you're always going to have a few people who just don't provide good service... Perhaps you caught him/her on a "bad" day (not trying to defend bad service)?

If you ever received treatment that you feel is inappropriate or abusive, I'd strongly recommend that you ask to speak to the PSR (Passenger Service Rep) who is a Senior Inspector. Most of the larger ports (air and land) have them on duty. They are empowered to make things "right". This does not mean that they'll waive duties or such (as this is set by law and not subject to individual discretion) The PSR can explain to you the process and even expedite your examination (in the case of a quick connection). Otherwise, ask for the agent's badge number and file a written complaint to the Director of the Customs Service at the port that you used. You will receive a reply from them.

I have empathy for the inspectors at the various land/air POE's. It's a hard job and you KNOW that you're only getting a SMALL fraction of the illegal items/persons that are entering the country.

All in all, I've always received professional and expeditious treatment with regards to the required examination by the USCS.

--UPSer

[ January 13, 2002: Message edited by: UPSer ]

[Guest]

All-

FYI, it appears that the USCS is (at selected ports) conducting OUTBOUND inspections of luggage. While this, itself is nothing *new*, it is rather uncommon. I got word of this happening at SEA as well as SFO in the last week.

Two years ago, I was at the airport in HNL when a Customs Officer comes up to a young Japanese-American passenger patiently waiting for his return flight to Tokyo (NRT). The Customs officer placed him in handcuffs and escorted him to an awaiting van. The next morning the local paper reported that his luggage had contained cash in excess of $25,000 and that a "random" inspection of OUTBOUND luggage had been conducted! Ouch!

--UPSer

[Guest]

There is some very excellent information on this post, especially from UPSer.

Let me explain some things about the U.S. Customs Service. First of all, I am a U.S. Customs Senior Inspector. I have been with Customs for 10 yrs, so I kind of know what I am talking about.

UPSer is a excellent source of information concerning this subject. BUT, UPSer, PSR's are not Senior Inspectors, they are Supervisory Inspectors, FYI. LOL

First of all, Thailand is considered a source country for narcotics, so the passengers may be screened closer then someone coming from, say, Japan. USCS uses many different tools to help them target possible high risk travelers. Before you land at the airport, all pasengers are screened via a computer system. The inspectors screening the passengers will give a list to the inspectors on the floor as to which passengers they feel like needs to be screened close upon arrival.

Upon arrival, there are cameras watching the passengers departing the aircraft and cameras at the INS area. Inspectors that monitor these cameras are looking for any suspicious active or mannerisms from the passengers. If they detect them afformention, that passenger will must likely will be targeted. After you clear INS and you are in the Customs area waiting for your luggage, there are Inspectors in that area. These Inspectors are called Rovers. They will be in civilian clothing and in uniform. Their job is to watch the passengers and detect any mannerisms that might be suspicious. Those passenger will most likely to inspected.

After you get your luggage, you might be asked some routine questions from a uniformed inspector, you might be sent to secondary for inspection, or you might just proceed to the exit. There are many reason a person is sent to secondary for inspection. It could be that you were targeted by an inspector for some reason, it could be a randon inspection (we are mandated to conduct compliance exams, these exams are computer generated), or it could be just a routine inspection to see what you declared on the CF6059B form is what you have. Like I said there are numerous reasons for inspections. Just because you are selected for inspection DOESN'T mean that Customs thinks your a criminal.

Some little stats about Customs. Last year Customs cleared over 200 million people coming from foreign. Out of that, about 5% were inspected. That is a very small percentage and I actually think it is on the high side. Customs is responsible to enforce over 600 laws from around 60 different federal agencies. That is not including Customs laws. So we are task with an enormance responsiblity. It is a difficult job and I can say that we try our best to be professional to the traveling public. I do agree that there are some inspector that need some hospitally training but I think those inspector are few and far between. After 9/11, we were mandated by Headquarters to conduct more stringent inspection, both inbound and outbound. So this might also cause some delays.

First of all, you are required to declared to Customs ALL articles that were obtained outside of the U.S. Falure to do so is smuggling. The penalty for smuggling is either a monatary penalty or arrest. For the poster that stated that he wrote down the articles but didn't mention the number of articles, is in violation of the law which could result in forfeture or penalty. Like UPSer stated, do not play games with Customs when it come to declaring your items. It can be a very unpleasent experience if you do. Very easy, just declare the item, the quanity, and the price and you wont have a problem with Customs.

On counterfeit, copyright, and trademark items. Customs is required to enforce the laws reqarding this. There are companies that register their trademark or copyright with Customs, like Levi & Strauss and Mircosoft. If these company register with Customs, we are obligated to enforce it. Now the real world. If a person is bring back, say, pirated sofeware or fake Rolex and it is for their personal use, 99.99999999999999999% of the time Custom wont do anything about it. If the inspector beleives that it is for commercial use or resale, thats a different story. Inspectors, especially at the large airports and land borders, do not worry to much about the small stuff. We want to catch the true criminal. But to try and catch the true crimial, some non-criminals will be inspected. Inspectors have prefected alot of skills, but the one we haven't prefected yet is the skill on detecting a criminal by just looking at him or her (if someone can tell us what a criminal looks like, please tell us. It would make our job and your travel experience a whole lot easier)

If you have question, contact your nearest Cusoms house and ask before you depart. You also can get a copy of "Know Before You Go" or visit the Customs web site www.customs.gov.

HDrider

P.S. now that this is said, please forget about the first paragraph OK.

[Lamock Chokaprret]

UPSer, you said:

quote:

---

As you read earlier Pasathai's daughter was passed with more than 6.. I would also note that if you had six of the SAME cd, this would be viewed in an entirely different light.

---

I'm curious to know why the number of a particular title would make a difference. I can take one CD home and duplicate it a hundred times and make a substantial profit.

Not that I would.

[smittyjp]

Hey HD, did you kow Jack Harriman (Pacific) or George Roberts (Hawaii)? Just curious,

Smitty

[Guest]

Lamock

Chokaprret:

FYI: they were 6 different game titles.

I have no idea if they were orig or copies

( 4 out of 6 did work ok though)

We got them at pantip from vendors with booths

( not the ones with a card table set up if that matters)

 

HDrider:

Overall, I think customs does a good job, the few times I felt hasselled was more of an annoyment than feeling I was singles out.

I did learn, don't try to be clever with remarks.

(( when taken aside boarding a plane in sea I was asked if i had more than $10 k with me, I said "if I did I would not be flying NW, or something like that))) it got me the "close inspection".

 

I also notice when they are going through my stuff ( on re-entry to USA) they seem to bombard me with questions, many times not waiting for me to complete my answers)

Are they trying to confuse us, or am I just easily confused?

HDrider: thanks for clarifying we should show everything we aquired while out of usa, the form seems confusing to me ( maybe just me) in that it asks for all items over a certian value to be declared, as I read it/understand it. ( or up to now thought so) we were to list stuff if it was total over the $400 or whatever.

(sometimes I think the forms) ( not just customs) are written by layers to get you no matter what your answer.)

[Guest]

pasathai,

Here is one time I agree with you, lol. I have make clever remarks (anyway I throught they were) and that just made the process take longer, but not on this last trip.

HDrider,

It is nice to have a profesional post on this subject. You are correct, I have gain alot of knowledge with the information that 'UPSer' has posted. I do have a few question for you. On my January 2nd return going thru Detroit I was ask to go thru the secondary luggage check. I'm not sure why, because this the first time ever for me on my 20 + times to enter the USA thru customes. After reading what you said, I'm sure this was just my time. They went thru all my luggage piece by piece. I understand and have no problem with this. My question or comment for you is some of the question or statements made to me by the inspector. Such as did you stay in a hotel all the time durning your stay. After saying yes, the next question was why would you do that and how can you afford a hotel for a month. Do you have friends there, and who did you visit. Why did you travel there alone. Also a few questions on some of the items I purchased and had with me. Why would you buy something there that you can get in the USA. I will say that the luggage inspection was good. There was not a item of anything I had that didn't get looked at. She went thru every pocket, opened every bottle, and asked who I brought each souvenir for. Maybe it was just me, but I think some of the questions and comments were not called for.