Weight Issues!

[RoyaleT 0]

Hi Friends,

I am going next week to N.Y on K1 Visa and my P.O.E is JFK, NY. I have some serious questions-

1. I am carrying 5 bags, excluding cabin bag..2 of which are of 32 kgs....Can it cause any problem at customs?

2. Can anyone with JFK experience please tell me what a first timer like me, on K 1 can expect after reaching N Y Airport? Is it first immigration? then luggage and then customs...

I have v less time left to pack..Pleae Guide!!!

[DrissandAmy4ever 0]

after you get off the plane you will go through customs. some people then will need to speak to immigration (however, my husband did not) and then you get your luggage. your luggage should not be an issue but you may need to pay extra for having so many pieces. you can call the airport you are leaving from and ask before you arrive and they should be able to tell you.

[Nik+Heather 121]

Customs doesn't care how much you are bringing, how many bags there are or how much they weigh. They do care what's in them (for tax purposes, or contraband).

The airline, on the other hand, will probably charge you extra for every bag over your allowance, and even more for the over weights. Weigh this cost against shipping or buying some things new when you arrive in the States.

The experience through customs can differ depending on which terminal/airline you come in on. We can't tell you until you tell us.

[supermoth 0]

Hi Friends,

I am going next week to N.Y on K1 Visa and my P.O.E is JFK, NY. I have some serious questions-

1. I am carrying 5 bags, excluding cabin bag..2 of which are of 32 kgs....Can it cause any problem at customs?

2. Can anyone with JFK experience please tell me what a first timer like me, on K 1 can expect after reaching N Y Airport? Is it first immigration? then luggage and then customs...

I have v less time left to pack..Pleae Guide!!!

Your airline's website should have the baggage policy, with number of bags allowed and weight limits. If you are connecting to a different flight after entering at JFK, the policy might even change for a domestic flight. You should try to contact your airline and make sure you have packed properly (it can often be a matter of shuffling things around into different bags). Good luck!!

[rahulv 4]

- Most airlines allow only 2 check-in baggages (economy) and 3 in (business/first class).

- Some airlines allow international check-in baggages at 32 kgs each, some at 23 kgs each.

- Overweight charges range by extra weight, between $25 to $75 depends on Airline.

- Anything exceeding 45 Kgs they may not allow you to take even with overpayment. You would have to empty out at Airport.

======================================================

Step by Step your journey at most airports/airlines

1 - Check-in baggage at the airline counter.

2 - Enjoy the flight.

3 - Fill a customs form in the airline couple of hours before reaching NY.

4 - Arrive at NY.

5 - Go through Immigration.

6 - Collect your baggage.

7 - Go through customs. They don't care how many bags you have. They may care about what you have inside them and what you have declared in the customs form (filled earlier in flight).

8 - Exit the security area of Airport, meet your family/spouse etc.

=======================================================

My suggestion, unless really really important do not carry it. You get almost everything here in US. Get your very personal items and memories etc. Also most carts at the airports are not designed to carry more than 3 big pieces of luggage, you would have to consider this if travelling alone that you may have to handle all that luggage alone once you have collected it.

[john_and_marlene 162]

after you get off the plane you will go through customs. some people then will need to speak to immigration (however, my husband did not) and then you get your luggage. your luggage should not be an issue but you may need to pay extra for having so many pieces. you can call the airport you are leaving from and ask before you arrive and they should be able to tell you.

Everyone will speak to immigration. That's the first person you come to who checks your documents (Passport/ID/whatever allows you entry). Then you get your luggage and continue through customs. Based on our experience, extra bags tend to cause customs to want to look inside.

Edited November 4, 2009 by john_and_marlene

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

I'd ship at least 2 of your bags.

[Jasman0717 9]

Claudeth had to pay an additional $80 with all the ####### she brought and I am sure they are chargine a lot more now.

[RoyaleT 0]

Thanks a ton all!

I am travelling by British Airways..with a 4 hr stay at heathrow. I 'd already paid for 2 extra bags online..

So now i have decided to ship extra weight-its bit costly but still better than carrying 6 bags all by myself.

Since am coming on K1 and will have a wedding soon..,most of my stuff is essential(esp. wedding lehngas, sarees etc,,apart from my medical books.)

Anyone with Heathrow Terminal 5(anything exciting there to spend 4 hrs) and JFK Terminal 7(P.O.E) experience please share..

[Nik+Heather 121]

Thanks a ton all!

I am travelling by British Airways..with a 4 hr stay at heathrow. I 'd already paid for 2 extra bags online..

So now i have decided to ship extra weight-its bit costly but still better than carrying 6 bags all by myself.

Since am coming on K1 and will have a wedding soon..,most of my stuff is essential(esp. wedding lehngas, sarees etc,,apart from my medical books.)

Anyone with Heathrow Terminal 5(anything exciting there to spend 4 hrs) and JFK Terminal 7(P.O.E) experience please share..

The BA terminal is pretty small, which is good, because you probably won't have much of a line in immigration. Everyone Nik interacted with sounded pretty friendly (of course I wasn't there, but that's what he said) I would recommend that you then go to Terminal 5 to spend the rest of your wait - and use the restrooms in terminal 5. 7 is ok, but only if you are desperate (eeewwwwww!!). If you turn right when you go out from customs that's where the recheck counter is -- though I don't remember which airlines...

[NutMagnet 2]

Hi Friends,

I am going next week to N.Y on K1 Visa and my P.O.E is JFK, NY. I have some serious questions-

1. I am carrying 5 bags, excluding cabin bag..2 of which are of 32 kgs....Can it cause any problem at customs?

2. Can anyone with JFK experience please tell me what a first timer like me, on K 1 can expect after reaching N Y Airport? Is it first immigration? then luggage and then customs...

1. Not due to the weight, but rather what is inside. You have many bags, more than most people. Remember that most folks travel light these days. No fruit, vegetables, food, plants, dogs, snakes, dope, etc. If stopped, be sure to first tell Customs about your K1 and tell them that you are bringing in your personal effects, if that be the case. Smile and be as polite, charming and as co-operative as possible. You will do fine.

(Remember, they keep a supply of rubber gloves and a flashlight in a room with dirty hand prints on the wall, and will take all ding-dong day to rifle through and question everything you got, should you give them any trouble.)

2. Yes. However, Immigration will call you aside into a room adjacent to the baggage carousels where they will inspect your documents, ask questions, remind you of your obligation to get married w/in 90 days. Then they will staple the I-94 card inside your passport (never remove it)) and say "Welcome to America"

Ask the flight attendant on the airplane how you should fill up your Customs form. There will be a space to put the $ value of all items you are bringing in to the country, and on the back you are to list the individual items and their respective values. "Used personal effects - K1 Visa" should work.

As an aside, luggage carts are not free here in the USA, Be sure to bring $3-5 in $1 bills which are in perfect condition, or have a major credit card to plug the luggage cart machine. You have a lot of stuff to haul.

As you will have an extra stop to make with Immigration, your bags may no longer be on the belt by the time they are finished precessing you. Check the belt first, then on the floor next to the baggage carousels, then against the wall. Nobody is going to steal your stuff.

Bring the cel phone number of the person picking you up. Your cel phone may or may not work here in the USA.

[RoyaleT 0]

Hi Friends,

I am going next week to N.Y on K1 Visa and my P.O.E is JFK, NY. I have some serious questions-

1. I am carrying 5 bags, excluding cabin bag..2 of which are of 32 kgs....Can it cause any problem at customs?

2. Can anyone with JFK experience please tell me what a first timer like me, on K 1 can expect after reaching N Y Airport? Is it first immigration? then luggage and then customs...

1. Not due to the weight, but rather what is inside. You have many bags, more than most people. Remember that most folks travel light these days. No fruit, vegetables, food, plants, dogs, snakes, dope, etc. If stopped, be sure to first tell Customs about your K1 and tell them that you are bringing in your personal effects, if that be the case. Smile and be as polite, charming and as co-operative as possible. You will do fine.

(Remember, they keep a supply of rubber gloves and a flashlight in a room with dirty hand prints on the wall, and will take all ding-dong day to rifle through and question everything you got, should you give them any trouble.)

2. Yes. However, Immigration will call you aside into a room adjacent to the baggage carousels where they will inspect your documents, ask questions, remind you of your obligation to get married w/in 90 days. Then they will staple the I-94 card inside your passport (never remove it)) and say "Welcome to America"

Ask the flight attendant on the airplane how you should fill up your Customs form. There will be a space to put the $ value of all items you are bringing in to the country, and on the back you are to list the individual items and their respective values. "Used personal effects - K1 Visa" should work.

As an aside, luggage carts are not free here in the USA, Be sure to bring $3-5 in $1 bills which are in perfect condition, or have a major credit card to plug the luggage cart machine. You have a lot of stuff to haul.

As you will have an extra stop to make with Immigration, your bags may no longer be on the belt by the time they are finished precessing you. Check the belt first, then on the floor next to the baggage carousels, then against the wall. Nobody is going to steal your stuff.

Bring the cel phone number of the person picking you up. Your cel phone may or may not work here in the USA.

A very satisfying reply NutMagnet; you sure seem to have a v good insight..Thanks a lot, pal.

[Old Dominion 26]

If you are flying from JFK in a domestic carrier, the planes can be small and there will be big fees to check any bag at all.

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

Thanks a ton all!

I am travelling by British Airways..with a 4 hr stay at heathrow. I 'd already paid for 2 extra bags online..

So now i have decided to ship extra weight-its bit costly but still better than carrying 6 bags all by myself.

Since am coming on K1 and will have a wedding soon..,most of my stuff is essential(esp. wedding lehngas, sarees etc,,apart from my medical books.)

Anyone with Heathrow Terminal 5(anything exciting there to spend 4 hrs) and JFK Terminal 7(P.O.E) experience please share..

JFK is huge, there is a full mall inside. Plenty of places to eat and lots of stores to browse. There is also a day spa there where you can get massages, etc. There is plenty to do, but it all costs a lot of money. I took my time shopping, played on my cell phone, ate lunch, got some exercise, charged my cell phone (there's a free charging station there). There is also a duty free shop that sells magazines, books, etc. If you get too bored you can stop in there and pick up something.

[NCWife 0]

It depends. If it's part of the connection from international flight, all fees will be paid when you first check in at your departing airport. At least that was what happened when I flew in. I paid all my excess baggage charge back home and didn't pay anything at the airports here.

Also, OP, don't be afraid to get help at the airport if you can't push all your bags. I had 2 big bags and one huge box (weighing close to 200 lbs total, not counting my purse and carry-on) and almost broke the cart, the wheels went completely flat! LOL...

Have a safe journey! Cheers...

If you are flying from JFK in a domestic carrier, the planes can be small and there will be big fees to check any bag at all.