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At The Airport

When you arrive, go immediately to the check-in desk.  Most flights abroad recommend you arrive at least 2 hrs. in advance of your flight.  Present your passport and tickets to the sales staff at the desk and they’ll check you in, tag your checked luggage l(luggage you can’t take on board because of it’s size) with flight information and tell you what time the flight will be boarding and at what gate.  You’ll then take your luggage to the screeners and they’ll x-ray and scan for hazardous or forbidden materials.  They will then put your luggage on the conveyor belt to be loaded into the plane cargo hold. After you’re on the plane and shortly before your arrival, the stewardess will pass out forms for  customs and immigrations for your host country.  You’ll need the name of your hotel, the flight numbers and “surname” means your last name.  Keep these documents in a safe place.  Sure, you’ll probably be able to get out of the country without them, but it’ll cost you big bucks.  Check with your stewardess about the rules for bringing back several kinds of souvenirs, especially alcohol you purchased. 

 

When filling out the customs form, a rule of thumb is to put you have “nothing to declare” unless you’re bringing back 10 boxes of cigars or some other large amount.  Typically, if you’re bringing back a purchase for a gift or for yourself to enjoy and aren’t planning on its’ sale, “nothing to declare” is a pretty safe bet.  Speaking of cigars, cigars with no wrappers (hint,hint) are allowed in the US whereas Cuban cigars ARE confiscated.