Clearing customs- Denmark to US?
Apr 18th, 2004, 05:06 PM
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Clearing customs- Denmark to US?
I hope someone can tell me the scenario I'll go through when returning back to the US. I'll be flying from Copenhagen to Seattle, then catching a flight from Seattle to Los Angeles. Will I clear customs in Seattle or Los Angeles? I am a US citizen so I assume going through immigration will be fairly quick? My layover time in Seattle is less than two hours. Will I make it? Thanks for any info.
Apr 18th, 2004, 05:23 PM
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You will go through immigration & customs in Seattle. A "local" can best answer whether there is any "system" for rechecking your luggage after customs -- otherwise you get to haul it and recheck it with you onward carrier.
If people can do this process at Chicago's O'Hare and make the second flight with a 2 hour layover you will be FINE. Only problem would be a delay in your departure.
If people can do this process at Chicago's O'Hare and make the second flight with a 2 hour layover you will be FINE. Only problem would be a delay in your departure.
Apr 18th, 2004, 05:25 PM
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In the United States you clear customs and immigrations at the port of entry which in your case is Seatle. You have to claim you luggage for inspection then re-check it at the counter right after customs. Be careful not to bring in any whole fruit or meats, there are very strict and if they catch you they impose a large fine. They use xray to find fruits in baggage.
Apr 18th, 2004, 05:27 PM
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Yes, you will need to collect your luggage after immigration in Seattle and clear customs. Assuming that Seattle is set-up the same way as majority US airports, there should be a luggage drop right after customs.
Time? There is never a guarantee, but I don't think Seattle is a busy entry port, so yes, 2 hours should be plenty of time, barring any unforseen circumstances.
Time? There is never a guarantee, but I don't think Seattle is a busy entry port, so yes, 2 hours should be plenty of time, barring any unforseen circumstances.
Apr 18th, 2004, 06:25 PM
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I'm pretty sure you're flying on SAS's flight CPH-SEA, which is code-shared with UA. Just make sure they have your luggage tagged to LA. And UA has many flights from SEA-LAX a day, so even if you miss your connection, you're fine, as long as both flights are on the same ticket.
Apr 19th, 2004, 12:33 AM
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As someone said earlier, you will land in Seattle and claim your luggage; after going through Immigration and Customs you will deposit the luggage at an "interline" point and it will be transferred to your next flight.
It probably doesn't make any difference how many tickets you have...what does make a difference is how the luggage is tagged when you check in in Copenhagen. If it is tagged all the way through then it will travel all the way through.
If you are using multiple tickets, which I doubt, the place to make that known is at the initial check-in, NOT in Seattle.
Have a great trip.
It probably doesn't make any difference how many tickets you have...what does make a difference is how the luggage is tagged when you check in in Copenhagen. If it is tagged all the way through then it will travel all the way through.
If you are using multiple tickets, which I doubt, the place to make that known is at the initial check-in, NOT in Seattle.
Have a great trip.
Apr 19th, 2004, 05:04 AM
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It doesn't matter with the luggage whether you have one or two tickets. They can tag it to LA either way. But if it's on two tickets, and for whatever reason you cannot make the connection, the airline of the 2nd leg may not let you get on a later flight without paying for a new ticket. That's all.
Apr 20th, 2004, 10:46 AM
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Thanks to all for all the info!
Rkkwan, you are right, I am on SAS's CPH-SEA and will continue on to LAX, then SBA all on code-share UA. It's all on one ticket so it sounds like I should just make sure in CPH that my luggage is tagged to SBA. Thanks again!
Rkkwan, you are right, I am on SAS's CPH-SEA and will continue on to LAX, then SBA all on code-share UA. It's all on one ticket so it sounds like I should just make sure in CPH that my luggage is tagged to SBA. Thanks again!
