port of entry, which is which?

[daisychain 0]

Pardon my ignorance. I have never traveled before!

If I have two stops in the US before I get to San Diego, would the latter be my port of entry or would the first stop over be my port of entry? Am I allowed to leave the stop-over terminal for some sight-seeing? And what can't I bring? I plan to pack like 15-20 of my rare, out-of-print book collection. Would that cause problems in customs? What can't I include in my carry-on?

Thank you so much!

[sydkym 0]

Port of Entry will be the first city in the US in which you land. For example, if you flew to New York, then LA, NY would be your POE. You can leave the airport, but I wouldn´t recommend it, as you would have to collect your baggage, and go through check-in and security all over again. In some cities, that can take hours. You can pack anything (legal, of course) in your check-in luggage, up to 50 pounds. Carry ons cannot have a lot of things--anything considered a weapon, including nail files, etc, and liquids in containers more than 3 oz. All of these tiny liquid/creme containers must fit inside ONE quart-sized ziplock bag. You can check the airport websites for more information on carry-on regulations.

Have a safe flight!

[payxibka 10,045]

Pardon my ignorance. I have never traveled before!

If I have two stops in the US before I get to San Diego, would the latter be my port of entry or would the first stop over be my port of entry? Am I allowed to leave the stop-over terminal for some sight-seeing? And what can't I bring? I plan to pack like 15-20 of my rare, out-of-print book collection. Would that cause problems in customs? What can't I include in my carry-on?

Thank you so much!

The US does not have international arrival facilities like they do in other countries... Once the aircraft lands in your first US city ALL passengers are processed. Once processed you are admitted to the USA and can do anything you want... including sightseeing... My wife & I landed in New York and we spent two days there before continuing on to Minnesota. (Caveat: also be aware you could be processed in Guam, Canada, Ireland, Puerto Rico and some other carribean islands if you itinerary takes you to one of those places first).

Edited August 6, 2008 by fwaguy

[daisychain 0]

oh that's great! but if i get out of the terminal during my stop-over, do i really have to take my baggage out and go through security all over again?

Pardon my ignorance. I have never traveled before!

If I have two stops in the US before I get to San Diego, would the latter be my port of entry or would the first stop over be my port of entry? Am I allowed to leave the stop-over terminal for some sight-seeing? And what can't I bring? I plan to pack like 15-20 of my rare, out-of-print book collection. Would that cause problems in customs? What can't I include in my carry-on?

Thank you so much!

The US does not have international arrival facilities like they do in other countries... Once the aircraft lands in your first US city ALL passengers are processed. Once processed you are admitted to the USA and can do anything you want... including sightseeing... My wife & I landed in New York and we spent two days there before continuing on to Minnesota. (Caveat: also be aware you could be processed in Guam, Canada, Ireland, Puerto Rico and some other carribean islands if you itinerary takes you to one of those places first).

[payxibka 10,045]

Once you clear US Customs you are in possesion of your baggage... Depending on what airport and who you are connecting with the answer just might be yes.... Also, once you are no longer in the secure area of the terminal, you need to be re-screened upon re-entry.

[Mononoke28 135]

Yes, it depends on who you are connecting with. For example when we traveled from Colombia to Denver we flew on American Airlines, did the whole immigration and custom thing in Miami and then handed our luggage over to the American Airlines people who were waiting for our bags. No need to go to ticketing again to check in.

Diana

[daisychain 0]

I guess sight-seeing in my stopover in Honolulu is out of the question if I have to be rescreened all over again. I only have an hour and 45 minutes.

I think I have to be careful of what I bring. I'm not so sure if I'm allowed to bring my rare books. There might be a limit to the number of books that I can bring. I have to do further research.

My Uncle told me that Filipinos are often oblivious to US customs rule. For example, here in the Philippines, there is a mass proliferation of pirated goods (bags, watches, etc.) and a lot of Filipinos are caught unaware they they're not allowed to bring it to the US and only find out when they're detained at customs.

[payxibka 10,045]

I guess sight-seeing in my stopover in Honolulu is out of the question if I have to be rescreened all over again. I only have an hour and 45 minutes.

I think I have to be careful of what I bring. I'm not so sure if I'm allowed to bring my rare books. There might be a limit to the number of books that I can bring. I have to do further research.

My Uncle told me that Filipinos are often oblivious to US customs rule. For example, here in the Philippines, there is a mass proliferation of pirated goods (bags, watches, etc.) and a lot of Filipinos are caught unaware they they're not allowed to bring it to the US and only find out when they're detained at customs.

I am sure the US could give a ratz azz about books... pirated merchandise on the other hand might be a different story

[pushbrk 12,898]

I guess sight-seeing in my stopover in Honolulu is out of the question if I have to be rescreened all over again. I only have an hour and 45 minutes.

I think I have to be careful of what I bring. I'm not so sure if I'm allowed to bring my rare books. There might be a limit to the number of books that I can bring. I have to do further research.

My Uncle told me that Filipinos are often oblivious to US customs rule. For example, here in the Philippines, there is a mass proliferation of pirated goods (bags, watches, etc.) and a lot of Filipinos are caught unaware they they're not allowed to bring it to the US and only find out when they're detained at customs.

I wouldn't be concerned about sight seeing. Instead, I'd be concerned your time between flights could be too short, causing you to miss your connection altogether. People ask here frequently, how long a layover they should schedule and I always answer, "a minimum of three hours". I'm surprised you could even buy a ticket with such a short connection time through a port of entry.

[Whippy 0]

Yah, your layover is too short for sight seeing, sorry. When travelling, as you will see, an hour and 45 minutes is not really all that long. Congrats, you must be so excited!

[Urge To Race 2]

I agree that is a very short connecting time. If your processing through immigration is slow and then security line is long (if you have to go through security again in Honolulu) you might miss that connection.

Landing at busy times at JFK, with an incoming flight that was delayed by an hour, I missed a connection once with a scheduled 4 hour layover.

I guess sight-seeing in my stopover in Honolulu is out of the question if I have to be rescreened all over again. I only have an hour and 45 minutes.

I think I have to be careful of what I bring. I'm not so sure if I'm allowed to bring my rare books. There might be a limit to the number of books that I can bring. I have to do further research.

My Uncle told me that Filipinos are often oblivious to US customs rule. For example, here in the Philippines, there is a mass proliferation of pirated goods (bags, watches, etc.) and a lot of Filipinos are caught unaware they they're not allowed to bring it to the US and only find out when they're detained at customs.

I wouldn't be concerned about sight seeing. Instead, I'd be concerned your time between flights could be too short, causing you to miss your connection altogether. People ask here frequently, how long a layover they should schedule and I always answer, "a minimum of three hours". I'm surprised you could even buy a ticket with such a short connection time through a port of entry.

[daisychain 0]

Oh my. Now I'm getting worried. I booked through Expedia.com. It was the cheapest ticket one way ticket available (around $600 dollar range). But from what I've heard, if I do miss my connecting flight, the airlines would pay for the cost of the next connecting flight available for me.

I agree that is a very short connecting time. If your processing through immigration is slow and then security line is long (if you have to go through security again in Honolulu) you might miss that connection.

Landing at busy times at JFK, with an incoming flight that was delayed by an hour, I missed a connection once with a scheduled 4 hour layover.

I guess sight-seeing in my stopover in Honolulu is out of the question if I have to be rescreened all over again. I only have an hour and 45 minutes.

I think I have to be careful of what I bring. I'm not so sure if I'm allowed to bring my rare books. There might be a limit to the number of books that I can bring. I have to do further research.

My Uncle told me that Filipinos are often oblivious to US customs rule. For example, here in the Philippines, there is a mass proliferation of pirated goods (bags, watches, etc.) and a lot of Filipinos are caught unaware they they're not allowed to bring it to the US and only find out when they're detained at customs.

I wouldn't be concerned about sight seeing. Instead, I'd be concerned your time between flights could be too short, causing you to miss your connection altogether. People ask here frequently, how long a layover they should schedule and I always answer, "a minimum of three hours". I'm surprised you could even buy a ticket with such a short connection time through a port of entry.

[pushbrk 12,898]

Probably but it depends on the circumstances. Certainly, if they arrive late, they'll accomodate you but the next available connecting flight could be the next day, depending on what time of day you arrive. I had one trip with two short connections. Both flights arrived late, resulting in two unplanned overnights. Fortunately, the airline provided transportation, hotel and meals.

If you miss your flight because you get lost in the airport or leave and can't get back through security on time, you'll be on your own.

Oh my. Now I'm getting worried. I booked through Expedia.com. It was the cheapest ticket one way ticket available (around $600 dollar range). But from what I've heard, if I do miss my connecting flight, the airlines would pay for the cost of the next connecting flight available for me.

I agree that is a very short connecting time. If your processing through immigration is slow and then security line is long (if you have to go through security again in Honolulu) you might miss that connection.

Landing at busy times at JFK, with an incoming flight that was delayed by an hour, I missed a connection once with a scheduled 4 hour layover.

I guess sight-seeing in my stopover in Honolulu is out of the question if I have to be rescreened all over again. I only have an hour and 45 minutes.

I think I have to be careful of what I bring. I'm not so sure if I'm allowed to bring my rare books. There might be a limit to the number of books that I can bring. I have to do further research.

My Uncle told me that Filipinos are often oblivious to US customs rule. For example, here in the Philippines, there is a mass proliferation of pirated goods (bags, watches, etc.) and a lot of Filipinos are caught unaware they they're not allowed to bring it to the US and only find out when they're detained at customs.

I wouldn't be concerned about sight seeing. Instead, I'd be concerned your time between flights could be too short, causing you to miss your connection altogether. People ask here frequently, how long a layover they should schedule and I always answer, "a minimum of three hours". I'm surprised you could even buy a ticket with such a short connection time through a port of entry.