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Customs Immigration Forms

joefromchicago

By joefromchicago,
in Celebrity Cruises

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tnfcruise

tnfcruise

Posted
Posted
We got off Reflection yesterday in Miami and no more customs immigration forms. We just walked up to the Officer, showed our passports and out the door we went.

 

The new law just recently took effect.

 

 

Great! Were there still long lines? Did you self-disembark?

 

 

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ItzRav

ItzRav

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The reason for no customs immigration forms is that they are instituting a new method, namely picking people randomly for an extended search. My wife and I disembarked Eclipse this morning in Miami, we had nothing to declare, but we were told we had been selected for a random "agricultural" search. They explained that in lieu of everyone filling out forms that this was their new procedure. We were escorted to a private area where we had to fill out a customs form, then my wifes purse was searched. They did NOT have us open our luggage. That was it, about an extra 10 minutes, and we were on our way.

 

By the way, to the left of the two customs lines was a small alleyway with the sign "Global Entry" over it. Since we had been pulled aside anyway I took the opportunity to ask about it. The officer said it was not yet functioning, but that once it is that you have to ASK for it (assuming, of course, you are a trusted traveller in the Global Entry program); they will not steer people towards that alleyway.

 

 

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Hlitner Excellent Advice! Rare

Hlitner

Posted
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The reason for no customs immigration forms is that they are instituting a new method, namely picking people randomly for an extended search. My wife and I disembarked Eclipse this morning in Miami, we had nothing to declare, but we were told we had been selected for a random "agricultural" search. They explained that in lieu of everyone filling out forms that this was their new procedure. We were escorted to a private area where we had to fill out a customs form, then my wifes purse was searched. They did NOT have us open our luggage. That was it, about an extra 10 minutes, and we were on our way.

 

By the way, to the left of the two customs lines was a small alleyway with the sign "Global Entry" over it. Since we had been pulled aside anyway I took the opportunity to ask about it. The officer said it was not yet functioning, but that once it is that you have to ASK for it (assuming, of course, you are a trusted traveller in the Global Entry program); they will not steer people towards that alleyway.

 

 

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The officials do not know their own rules :). When we got off the Eclipse (in Miami) back in December we also spotted that Global Entry sign and simply ask one of the rent-a-cops if we could use that aisle (which was entry). She (the rent a cop) asked if we both had our Global Entry cards and we responded "yes" (which is true). She moved a barrier and took us right to the head of the long line (bypassing over 100 people) where we were immediately cleared. Go figure.

 

Hank

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Happy2cruise

Happy2cruise

Posted
Posted
The reason for no customs immigration forms is that they are instituting a new method, namely picking people randomly for an extended search. My wife and I disembarked Eclipse this morning in Miami, we had nothing to declare, but we were told we had been selected for a random "agricultural" search. They explained that in lieu of everyone filling out forms that this was their new procedure. We were escorted to a private area where we had to fill out a customs form, then my wifes purse was searched. They did NOT have us open our luggage. That was it, about an extra 10 minutes, and we were on our way.

 

 

 

 

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Wonder how that works if you're using Luggage Valet as your suitcases are not with you in case you declared something and they want ot search your suitcases:confused:

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watchdiva

watchdiva

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Easiest disembarkation ever....off the ship, grabbed luggage and cleared customs in 10 minutes. Another reason this was one of the best cruise experiences EVER!!

 

 

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reedprincess

reedprincess

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We got off Reflection yesterday in Miami and no more customs immigration forms. We just walked up to the Officer, showed our passports and out the door we went.

 

The new law just recently took effect.

 

 

What new law? And it was most definitely not in place in Port Everglades this weekend....Customs formal alive and well, for everyone...

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Traveling Fools Great Review Rare

Traveling Fools

Posted
Posted (edited)

Wow, as a retired Legacy U.S. Customs Special Agent/Criminal Investigator I am surprised, almost stunned, to hear that CBC did not require you to submit a signed declaration! Did they require you to submit an electronic one instead?

 

And, OBTW, filling out and submitting a Customs Declaration has zero effect on the time it takes to actually clear Customs.

Edited by Traveling Fools
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4774Papa

4774Papa

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For some time the process has changed so that US citizens go to a computer terminal and scan their passports, then moving on for a customs check. It generally works faster than the old method, unless those computer terminals are down and then it is gridlock and long waits.

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sjb317

sjb317

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For some time the process has changed so that US citizens go to a computer terminal and scan their passports, then moving on for a customs check. It generally works faster than the old method, unless those computer terminals are down and then it is gridlock and long waits.

 

Yes, that's what we had in Houston on our return from Australia in January. It was very easy to use but we still had to stand in two more lines to have passport checked by officers, then a third line to have luggage checked for our next flight.

 

Sherri:)

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reedprincess

reedprincess

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For some time the process has changed so that US citizens go to a computer terminal and scan their passports, then moving on for a customs check. It generally works faster than the old method, unless those computer terminals are down and then it is gridlock and long waits.

 

 

Those are the Automated Passport Control kiosks and have been in place at airports across the USA for more than 2+ years. US citizens, green card holders, ESTA visitors, B1/B2 visa holders and several others all can use them for immigration/customs entrance to USA... There's no paper customs form to fill out, it's done via the kiosk where you receive your receipt and then hand over to ICE official.... Nothing new there. They are not at ports, yet.. Mobile Passport, another paperless system and even faster and easier than APC machines, is available at many airports and rolled out at Port Everglades last year. It's a free app, for US citizens. Green card and Canadians...

 

I'm curious, still, about what new law came into effect March 1.... Have checked State Department, etc but without knowing more info about said new law, it's tough to search...

So, any info you can supply OP is greatly appreciated...

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reedprincess

reedprincess

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The info was given to us from the crew on reflection

 

 

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As you said before - yes, got that. Thanks. If you don't know what law was passed as of March, or a few weeks ago, or whatever different news, I wouldn't go around quoting it - especially as I doubt the crew are the most up-to-date on US immigration and customs laws.

So, if you don't know, you don't know - that's OK, you could have led with that.

Thanks anyways.. Based on your response, or lack of, I'm guessing there's actually not any new law - as that would actually apply to all cruise ports, and it's more of a trial run at mismi, just as Mobile Passport currently is only at port Everglades on trial.

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