Do I have to go Through Customs for a Connecting Flight? Full Guide

If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably got a flight coming up with a layover, and you’re likely asking yourself: do I need to go through customs for a connecting flight?

Whether you have to go through customs will depend on where you travel from and your destination country. As you can imagine, this needs more explaining.

Read on for a comprehensive overview of what the customs process involves, when you’ll need to go through customs and what layovers entail.

Do I have to go through customs for a connecting flight?

As a general rule, you only go through customs when you enter a country. Passengers waiting for international connecting flights typically remain in the transit area of an airport and, therefore, are not considered to have entered the country they are transiting through.

However, some countries consider domestic connecting flights as entering the country, even if you stay in the airport for the duration of the layover. Although you might have technically entered the country, in most places, you still won’t have to go through customs, but this depends on the country and its policies.

However, you will have to go through immigration if you’re connecting to a domestic flight from an international flight. Unless you’re connecting from a domestic flight to another domestic flight, you’ll likely go through security again.

A quick explainer about customs

Before we go any further, let me quickly clear up an important distinction to help you better understand customs.

The word customs is often used interchangeably for 3 different procedures at an airport:    

1.     Security – where your bags and person are scanned for prohibited items.

2.     Immigration – where your passport is checked and you receive a stamp if entering the country.

3.     Customs – where you declare any taxable goods you’re bringing into a country.

These procedures are different to each other and happen at different points during your transit through an airport. I’ll explain these processes in more detail later on, or you can jump to the more detailed explanations here.

What happens during a connecting flight?

For connecting flights, you typically only have to clear security and sometimes  immigration. Your final destination, not at any connecting airports, is where you normally go through customs.

2 regions of the world where flights with international connections often transit are Europe and the US.

Connecting flights in European countries

29 European countries have an agreement in place called the Schengen Area (also called the Schengen Zone). The agreement abolishes border controls at the borders between Schengen countries.

Essentially, this means that flights between Schengen countries are considered domestic. With that in mind, the following factors determine what procedures you go through at an airport for a connecting flight in Europe.

1) If your departure country and connecting country are both within the Schengen Zone

Then you will not need to go through customs, security or immigration during your layover. For example, if flying from France to South Korea with a layover in Greece, you only have to clear the procedures once you arrive in South Korea.

2) If your departure country is within the Schengen Area and your destination country is within the EU but not the Schengen Zone

Then you’ll have to go through immigration and security upon arrival, but won’t be subject to customs. For example, if flying from Spain to Ireland and vice versa.

3) If you depart from an EU country and your destination is within the Schengen Area but not the EU

Then you won’t be subject to immigration, but you will need to clear customs and security. For example, if flying from Spain to Switzerland and vice versa.

These rules are a bit confusing at first, so make sure to read them again before your flight so you know what to expect if flying in Europe.

Connecting flights in the United States

The US is a huge country and flights sometimes have more than 1 connection here. If you have a connection(s) in the US, then you will normally have to clear immigration, security and customs procedures at the first US airport you arrive at.

Visas for connecting countries

You might need a specific visa to get connecting flights in certain countries.

For example, all nationalities except Canadians need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ESTA) for layovers in the US. Certain nationalities will need a short-stay Schengen visa to transit through the Schengen Zone.

The government website of the country you’ll connect in will have the latest information on visas and other requirements for connecting flights there. You can usually find this information in the section for the Ministry of The Exterior, which might be a separate website.

Domestic connections

In large countries, such as the US, some domestic flights may have a connection. As a domestic connection does not require crossing a border, you typically don’t have to pass through any of the immigration, customs or security procedures in the connecting airport.

What is a connecting flight?

Connecting flights break up long journeys from the departure country to the final destination. They are typically shorter flights covering a smaller portion of the overall journey.

You might choose to pay for an air fare that includes a connecting flight because it’s cheaper than flying direct or because it’s the only option to get to your destination. You might get separate tickets for the individual legs of the journey, or a single ticket covering all legs.

Connecting flights are often called a layover or a stopover, but there’s a difference between these 2 terms.

The difference between a layover and a stopover

What differentiates a layover from a stopover is the amount of time you have to wait for your connecting flight.

Different airlines might define things slightly differently but, in general, a layover lasts less than 24 h, while a stopover is any layover that lasts more than 24 h.

Layovers typically don’t give you enough time to leave the airport and explore, while a stopover might.

Do you have to collect your bag for a connecting flight?

You usually need to collect your luggage for a connecting flight if the connection is with a different airline to your previous flight.

Sometimes different airlines will work together to transfer your luggage without you needing to collect it. However, this is more typical when all flights are with the same airline.

When booking your flight, the itinerary will say whether you have to collect your baggage. On the flight itinerary webpage, there’s normally an information or warning symbol making this clear. 

If you do need to collect your luggage in the connecting airport, there will be a baggage claim area for you to do this.

Unlike checking in luggage for an initial flight, which is typically done at a check-in desk with weighing scales, for a connecting flight, there will usually be a ‘drop-off’ area.

A member of staff from the connecting airline or airport should be at the drop-off area organising things. They might give you a ticket with a reference number for each bag you drop off.

Keep hold of any tickets. You’ll need them to track your luggage if for any reason it doesn’t arrive at your final destination when you do.

Because there’s always a small chance of this happening, when your journey includes a connecting flight, try to pack items you’re definitely going to need in your first few days of the trip in your hand luggage. It’s a good idea to have a change of clothes too.

What are customs?

Customs (sometimes called border control) is the agency or authority in a country with the responsibility for collecting tariffs and controlling the movement of goods in and out of the country.

Customs officers are employed by the government of the country, not the airport which they work in.

You often won’t notice when you’ve been through customs. Normally the customs procedure takes place after baggage collection at your final destination, not during a layover.

When leaving the baggage reclaim area, there are usually 2 exits: 1 for ‘nothing to declare’ and another for ‘goods to declare’.

If you have nothing to declare, then you simply exit baggage collection and make your way to the arrivals hall. But if you have goods to declare, then you have to go through the other exit to the customs area and pay any tariffs.

Is customs the same as security?

These are different procedures. Security is that annoying process when you have to empty your hand luggage — and sometimes remove items of clothing — putting everything into trays to be scanned. While your hand luggage is being scanned, you do body scans. 

What is the difference between customs and immigration?

While customs control the flow of goods and materials across a country’s border, immigration controls the flow of people.

Sometimes called passport control, immigration officers are the ones who check your travel documents such as your passport and any necessary visas. It’s these guys who stamp your passport in the airport.

Immigration officers also work for their respective government and they may be part of the same agency as customs officers.

Nowadays some airports use immigration e-gates. These are automated gates that scan your passport and your fingerprints, and take a picture of you. Although they’re designed to speed up the immigration process, e-gates can be really slow.

What happens during security and immigration procedures for a connecting flight?

If you have to go through security or immigration during your connection, then the process will typically be as follows.

Security procedures for connecting flights

You’ll normally need to pass through a security checkpoint shortly after getting off the plane in the connecting airport. Here officers will scan your body and your hand luggage before you continue to the departures lounge.

If you want to leave the airport and enter your connecting country, you might go through another security checkpoint near the terminal entrance/exit.

Immigration procedures for connecting flights

Immigration officers will check your passport and any other travel documents, such as a transit visa.

They might also ask to see a customs declaration form. If so, you’ll either have been given 1 to fill out on the plane before you landed, or forms will have been handed out while queuing for immigration.

Customs declaration forms normally ask for details of your trip. This can include the reason why you’re traveling, your final destination and how much cash you’re traveling with.

What happens during a security inspection?

If you’re chosen for further inspection this could include more luggage and/or body scans. Officers might test your person and luggage for chemical residues as well. And they may also search your luggage and person manually.

Security officers might also ask you some questions about your trip and want to see your travel documentation. If for any reason they want even more information, you might be interviewed in a private room. Although this is only likely to happen if they spot something really suspicious in the scans.

If for any reason you are caught with a prohibited item, then you could be fined or charged. The severity of the punishment will depend on what the item is.

What to do if you are chosen for inspection

If officers want to inspect your luggage more closely, stay calm and be respectful — It’s more than likely just a routine inspection and nothing to worry about. Cooperate and you’ll be on your way shortly.

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Key tips for smooth security process

• Wash your luggage if need be – although I don’t advocate for drug use in any way, I still want to help you out. So, if you’ve carried substances in your luggage during your trip, it’s a good idea to wash your bags so any potential smells and residues are removed. It won’t be good if security smells weed on your backpack…

• Double check you’ve packed all items prohibited in the cabin in your main luggage before getting to the airport. You don’t want anything valuable confiscated.   

Key tips for a smooth immigration process

• Have your documents to hand – keep your passport, boarding pass, customs declaration form, all flight details, including proof of onward travel and visa papers, together in your hand luggage or on your person.

• Apply for any visas with plenty of time before your trip.

Key tips for a customs process

• Check beforehand if you’ll need to declare anything you’re flying with – finding out before you arrive at the airport can save you a headache and any unexpected fees.

• Try to pack any goods in an accessible way – it’ll be less annoying for you if customs officers can access them without having to damage the packaging, especially if your goods are gifts

Top tips for a smooth layover

Going  through airport procedures can be stressful, especially true if there isn’t much time between landing and having to get your next flight. These next pointers will help your layover go as smoothly as possible.

• Check your itinerary – your flight details should say which terminal your connecting flight leaves from. This will help you plan in advance how to get to the right gate. If you have little time between flights, knowing how to get to the gate beforehand can save you precious minutes.

• Give yourself enough time – if you’re booking flights individually, then allow enough time to get through all procedures. Having at least 2 h between your flights is a good idea.

• Be clear on whether you need to re-check your luggage – it’s not common,but sometimes you need to re-check luggage for a connecting flight. Again, your itinerary will make this clear.

• Pack correctly – air travel rules differ between countries. Make sure you know what’s allowed in your luggage when transiting through a country to avoid being searched by security or customs.

• Try not to stress – some airports have quite intense customs procedures and others aren’t the best at updating information boards. Follow all instructions and ask staff for help if information boards aren’t updating.

What to do if you’re running late for a connecting flight

Don’t let panic and stress delay you any further. Follow these next tips for the best chance of making your connection.

• Speak to airline staff – find the nearest desk for your airline and notify them immediately if you think you’re going to miss your connection. They might be able to hold the flight for a short period.

• Use airport transport services – airports usually have caddies that can cart people to gates. Ask if this is available.

• Fast track customs service – some airports offer fast track lanes through security and immigration for a fee. These can usually be booked online and could help you if your previous flight is delayed.

• Check for a priority queue – even if you haven’t booked fast-track services, you might be able to use a priority queue if you explain to airport staff you’re running late.  

Tips to enjoy your layover

With the hassle of customs out of the way, now you can enjoy your layover. Just remember to keep an eye on the time and for your departure gate so you don’t have to rush to your connecting flight.

• Entertainment – pretty much all major airports these days have free WIFI. But just in case there isn’t any, it’s a good idea to have a movie or a few episodes of something downloaded. The departure lounge is also a good time to tuck into a book

• Browse the shops – shopping at the airport is always expensive, but having a gander can help kill time. You might find some interesting things too.

• Sleep – if you struggle to sleep on planes, then this is your chance to for a rest before continuing your journey

• Explore the local area – if your layover gives you enough time, why not leave the airport and check out the city

More travel tips on A World Over

Do I have to go through customs for a connecting flight? As a general rule, no, you normally go through customs at your final destination. During a connection you’ll likely go through security again and might have to go through immigration too.

Let me know in the comments if my advice has been helpful. What have your experiences of connecting flights been like?