What do US customs ask?

Your bags and electronics can be searched without your permission, for any reason, and CBP officials can ask you almost any question. Also see Can U.S. Border Officials Legally Search a U.S. Citizen's Electronic Devices?, the analysis for which also applies to U.S. permanent residents.

What information does US Customs have access to?

Information on the crossing—such as name, date and country of birth, and other biographical information; the dates and locations of previous border crossings; citizenship or immigration status; and a host of other related information—is stored in the TECS database, which contains a master crossing record for every ...

What can customs officers ask?

What can I expect at US Customs?

The customs form will walk you through it. It will ask you some yes or no questions about items like food and large amounts of money. On the back, you'll list “items of commercial value,” which includes things like duty-free items, souvenirs or gifts you've brought that you plan on leaving in the United States.

What do they ask you at the border?

Government agents may ask you questions about your citizenship and immigration status in order to determine whether you are a U.S. citizen, a green card holder, or have other lawful immigration status and are entitled to be admitted into the U.S. All persons seeking admission to the U.S. at an international border must ...

US Customs and Immigration Questions at USA Airport | What do they Ask? F1 Student Visa Guide

Do you have to answer US customs questions?

If you are a U.S. citizen, you need only answer questions establishing your identity and citizenship, although refusing to answer routine questions about the nature and purpose of your travel could result in delay and/or further inspection.

What do border agents see when they scan your passport?

' Presumably both you and your son hold US e-passports which contain a chip. That chip holds biometric information that's printed on the picture page - name, date of birth, sex, nationality, date of issue, passport number, and photograph.

Will US Customs check my laptop?

The short answer is, no. Customs and Border Protection do not need a warrant or probable cause to search your phone or laptop. Since 2013, the Department of Homeland Security has claimed legal authority to search your electronic devices without a warrant or probable cause at the U.S. border or international airports.

Why does customs ask business or pleasure?

They are asking for immigration reasons. These officials are here to track and see if anyone is entering the country illegally, being trafficked illegally, are carrying smuggled goods, or are committing business fraud.

Why do you have to declare at customs?

The declaration form helps the customs to control goods entering the country, which can affect the country's economy, security or environment. A levy duty may be applied. Travellers have to declare everything they acquired abroad and possibly pay customs duty tax on goods.

What kinds of questions do immigration officers ask?

How do you know if you are flagged by customs?

There are signs that will indicate you have been flagged for additional screenings: You were not able to print a boarding pass from an airline ticketing kiosk or from the internet. You were denied or delayed boarding. A ticket agent “called someone” before handing you a boarding pass.

Can immigration check your text messages?

If you are at U.S. port of entry or under investigation DHS may be able to view your phone calls and text messages. DHS also views your social media information.

Do US Customs check your phone?

Without having to show any suspicion, a CBP officer can conduct what's called a “basic search,” which means examining a digital device and “review[ing] and analyz[ing] information encountered at the border.” Travelers are required to provide their passcodes.

Does US immigration know when you leave?

Yes, they almost certainly do know you've left. The US processes passport details for all air passengers through a system called APIS, and ties that to the electronic I-94 (arrival and departure record). You can check your US arrival and departure history online.

What do customs officers look for?

In fact, the CBP assesses all people who arrive by airplane, overland vehicle, ship or on foot and want to enter the U.S. The job of U.S. customs agents is to search for banned agricultural products and counterfeit goods, but they also are trained to seize street and pharmaceutical drugs, illegal immigrants and ...

Why do customs ask so many questions?

But if you go through a border-check, they are going to ask you questions. They aren't trying to incriminate innocent people; they are trying to sort out the smugglers. If you don't answer, they have to throw you on the maybe-smuggler category and go through all your belongings.

What questions are you usually asked at an airport immigration desk?

Why can't you use your phone in customs?

It's totally legal for a US Customs and Border Patrol officer to ask you to unlock your phone and hand it over to them. And they can detain you indefinitely if you don't. Even if you're a American citizen. The border is technically outside of US jurisdiction, in a sort of legal no-man's-land.

Why did TSA check my phone?

TSA said the screening “is solely intended to verify that there has been no physical tampering or hidden threat placed within the electronic device.”

Can the US deny a citizen entry?

Citizens: You only have to answer questions establishing your identity and citizenship (in addition to customs-related questions). Refusal to answer other questions may cause delay, but officials may not deny you entry into the U.S. if you have established your identity and citizenship.

Can immigration check your travel history?

Answer: There is no government agency that keeps track of travel history. You can contact your travel agent; he/she may be able to pull up records of bookings in the past. Your passport will also contain records of entry and exit from the countries you have been to through the stamps and visas including dates.

Can customs check your bank account?

US border agents are asking travelers to hand over their phones and access to their online accounts – be it Facebook, bank accounts, text messages and/or photos – according to a Houston immigration lawyer.

What questions do airport ask?

Can US customs detain you?

Even though you always have the right to remain silent, if you don't answer questions to establish your citizenship, officials may deny you entry to the U.S. or detain you for search and/or questioning. Agents may search any person, the inside of any vehicle, and all passenger belongings.