Customs and immigration

[abb4k]

Probably a dumb question but what is the point of having 3,000 passengers queue if 2,950 of them receive the perfunctory "welcome home" from Customs and Border Protection?

 

Why not screen the 50 or so passengers that they wish to check, and then let the rest of the ship go?

 

 

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[sparks1093]

Why do you have to ding your sail and sign card when you are leaving the ship? To show you left the ship. Same reason you have to go through CBP, to make sure you've returned to the US and that the system reflects that. (And they also have to review you Customs declaration to make sure you don't need to be charged duty.)

[LondonTowner]

With how things are in the world today I never have any problem at all with customs and immigration checks.

[sparks1093]

With how things are in the world today I never have any problem at all with customs and immigration checks.

 

I don't either, but on cruises, especially closed looped cruises, everyone is checked out in the databases while the cruise is in progress which enables CBP to identify travelers with questionable credentials or other issues (such as active warrants). But they still need to make sure that the system reflects that the passenger returned to the US and they need to make sure that duty is collected from passengers that exceeded the duty free allowances.

[abb4k]

All good points, thanks for the thoughts. Concur on safety and border protection, just have always thought re-entry for cruise passengers could be handled more efficiently.

 

Also wonder what percentage of cruise passengers declare more than their duty free allowance ...

 

 

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[CruisingAlong4Now]

All good points, thanks for the thoughts. Concur on safety and border protection, just have always thought re-entry for cruise passengers could be handled more efficiently.

 

Also wonder what percentage of cruise passengers declare more than their duty free allowance ...

 

 

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The number of passengers who smuggle items off the ship into the USA is probably much smaller than the number of passengers who smuggle booze onto the ship. Not all smugglers are equal.

;)

[CPT Trips]

Probably a dumb question but what is the point of having 3,000 passengers queue if 2,950 of them receive the perfunctory "welcome home" from Customs and Border Protection?

 

Why not screen the 50 or so passengers that they wish to check, and then let the rest of the ship go?

 

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Actually, that's basically what they do. Unlike at an airport, the is no routine passport examination or stamping, just collection of customs card and citizens are on their way.

 

The queueing is primarily because of the choke points at the ship's egress, the capacity of the elevators and escalators in the terminal, the size of the luggage collection area, and the choke point at the terminal exit.

[leaveitallbehind]

All good points, thanks for the thoughts. Concur on safety and border protection, just have always thought re-entry for cruise passengers could be handled more efficiently.

 

Also wonder what percentage of cruise passengers declare more than their duty free allowance ...

 

 

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We have not experienced any significant delays in passing through customs at disembarkation. It usually takes longer to find and retrieve our luggage (which also is not a big issue) than to get through customs.

[whogo]

How do they find the 50 or so passengers they need to check without checking all the passengers?

[abb4k]

I would be stunned if the cruise line doesn't supply CBP with information about passengers who have purchased more than the duty free allowance in souvenirs, artwork, booze, etc

 

 

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[sparks1093]

I would be stunned if the cruise line doesn't supply CBP with information about passengers who have purchased more than the duty free allowance in souvenirs, artwork, booze, etc

 

 

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I am sure they do but there are also vendors on the islands that may or may not report information to CBP for large purchase.

[sparks1093]

How do they find the 50 or so passengers they need to check without checking all the passengers?

 

As mentioned up thread this is all done during the cruise so there is no need to run checks at disembarkation.

[ducklite]

I am sure they do but there are also vendors on the islands that may or may not report information to CBP for large purchase.

 

 

 

We made a large jewelry purchase in French Polynesia. After our exemption the duty was under $100. I can't imagine the level of stupidity of not declaring and paying duty on a large purchase. The penalty for being caught is far too dear to not pay the duty.

 

We have brought in more than the legal allowance in alcohol several times, always declared it, and never been charged the $5-20 duty as each time we have been told that they don't worry about nickels and dimes.

 

We were about $50 over the exemption coming back from our last Europe trip--mostly gifts and a few souvenirs, but it added up. They told us to not worry about it, they weren't going to charge us and handed us for the honesty.

 

Bottom line, in our experience, unless your purchase is well above the limit, you probably won't be charged. Even if they do charge duty, if you can't afford it you shouldn't have bought it to begin with. (Not meaning you specifically)

 

 

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Edited December 31, 2016 by ducklite

[chengkp75]

The interview for CBP is more for immigrations than customs. CBP has had all week to screen the passengers based on the information provided on the passenger manifest. This allows CBP to merely determine that the face presented to them matches the photo on the ID, and that the name on the ID matches the person they screened during the cruise.

[donaldsc]

If the border people are any good which is doubtful, they can watch you to see if you are nervous. This might warrant further checks. Some countries depend upon slightly extended interviews and not electronics to guard their borders.

 

DON

[SadieN]

How do they find the 50 or so passengers they need to check without checking all the passengers?

 

 

They get notified the night before.

 

Ever sail out of San Diego? They do Immigration onboard. NonUS are supposed to meet early, inevitably there are always pax who do not go, causing delays. In our experience, it's been quicker to queue up than wait onboard.

[Hlitner]

Probably a dumb question but what is the point of having 3,000 passengers queue if 2,950 of them receive the perfunctory "welcome home" from Customs and Border Protection?

 

Why not screen the 50 or so passengers that they wish to check, and then let the rest of the ship go?

 

 

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We once had a long chat (over coffee) with a CBP Officer and asked just this question. He actually agreed but fell back on the usual government answer which is "its regulations." The CBP folks get the entire ships manifest in advance (it is a requirement) and run all the passengers and crew through their data bases. So by the time a ship docks, they have already cleared just about everyone aboard (there are sometimes exceptions). One wonders if we would be better served to have many of those CBP Officers working on the Mexican boarder...instead of in cruise terminals.

 

Hank

[ducklite]

If the border people are any good which is doubtful, they can watch you to see if you are nervous. This might warrant further checks. Some countries depend upon slightly extended interviews and not electronics to guard their borders.

 

DON

 

 

 

Come into LAX from many Asian countries and your luggage will be gone through for counterfeit handbags, sunglasses, movies, etc. Regardless of your behavior. When we came back from Tahiti they were searching everyone who didn't have global entry. There were massive piles of counterfeit merchandise that had been seized. Crazy!

 

The last time we came into Port Canaveral they were using dogs in the baggage area and along the lines of passengers. They had both USDA dogs looking for illicit foods and plant material as well as DHS dogs looking for drugs (I assume it was drugs, I guess it could have been explosives?)

 

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Edited December 31, 2016 by ducklite

[spookwife]

Probably a dumb question but what is the point of having 3,000 passengers queue if 2,950 of them receive the perfunctory "welcome home" from Customs and Border Protection?

 

Why not screen the 50 or so passengers that they wish to check, and then let the rest of the ship go?

 

 

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which 50 passengers?! you do realize that 7 times out of ten, if you get dinged for extra screening it's because you were lucky number x for that day. it's random.

[spookwife]

I would be stunned if the cruise line doesn't supply CBP with information about passengers who have purchased more than the duty free allowance in souvenirs, artwork, booze, etc

 

 

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on board purchases sure( same with casino winnings) but last time I spent away way WAY over my allowance, it was in port. I filled out the form properly and even had the receipts ready to go plus that paper the jeweler gave me for duty purposes. he barely glanced at it even as I was pulling out the wallet.

 

they really have little vested interest in Joe Tourist over spending on cuban cigars or Jamaican rum. they are always more willing to let the little guy slide as long as the little guy isn't acting all cagey or like a Smart@ss

[slidergirl]

We once had a long chat (over coffee) with a CBP Officer and asked just this question. He actually agreed but fell back on the usual government answer which is "its regulations." The CBP folks get the entire ships manifest in advance (it is a requirement) and run all the passengers and crew through their data bases. So by the time a ship docks, they have already cleared just about everyone aboard (there are sometimes exceptions). One wonders if we would be better served to have many of those CBP Officers working on the Mexican boarder...instead of in cruise terminals.

 

Hank

 

Why not the Canadian Border???

[Nic6318]

The number of passengers who smuggle items off the ship into the USA is probably much smaller than the number of passengers who smuggle booze onto the ship. Not all smugglers are equal.

;)

 

Hi there

 

You are likely correct, but I would imagine that the main reason that is the case is because smuggling items into the USA is illegal, while smuggling alcohol onto the ship is not.

 

If there were little risk of being caught, I am sorry to say that I believe many would take advantage of the situation. :)

[Hlitner]

Why not the Canadian Border???

 

In which direction???? We heard the CBP folks were standing by with a brass band to play and cheer all those from Hollywood who said they were going to Canada? The last we heard not one has actually gone to Canada...but since when does anyone believe or listen to any of those jokers.

 

Hank

Edited January 1, 2017 by Hlitner

[Elaine5715]

Why not the Canadian Border???

 

I have been scrutinized much heavier passing into Canada by vehicle than on all returns from cruises combined.

[hel0013]

I have been scrutinized much heavier passing into Canada by vehicle than on all returns from cruises combined.

 

 

Been across the border by vehicle more times than I can count and have never been scrutinized returning home by the Canadian Border Services. Was torn apart by the US side going in a couple of times in the last 10 or so years. Luck of the draw? Probably...

 

Airports... never been scrutinized by the US but have had our luggage searched by the Canadian side coming home a couple of times. Vancouver & Calgary airports.. luck of the draw? Probably...

 

YMMV

 

 

 

 

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