Customs in Europe

[TulumSailor]

We are flying on United MEX-IAH-MUC-BLQ to get to Ravenna for our Celebrity cruise. Per United our bags will be checked all the way to Bologna. We know we go through immigration and customs on arrival in Houston. We drop off our checked bags with United right after customs, go through TSA security for the UA flight to Munich. That much I know. My question is on arrival at our Munich in-transit stop do we go through immigration and customs before our MUC-BLQ flight or do we do that in Bologna? The flight from Munich to Bologna is on Air Dolomiti-a United partner airline-if that makes any difference 

Edited September 19, 2023 by TulumSailor

[FlyerTalker]

You will perform inbound Schengen immigration at MUC, with customs (red lane/green lane) at BLQ.

 

 

[BOB999]

Also, if I'm not mistaken, Houston participates in the ITI luggage program where luggage for customers transiting the US is sent through without having to claim and recheck at IAH.  I could be mistaken as it's been some time since I've heavily researched this program.

Edited September 20, 2023 by BOB999

[CDNPolar]

Not to scare you, but hopefully your connection time in Munich is 2 hours or more?

 

If you are a non EU passport, the lines for passport control can be long.

 

We have found the two airports that we want at least 2 hours if not 2.5 hours are Munich and Frankfurt.  These are two airports that we frequently arrive to as the first Schengen country.

 

You want that connection time because the likelihood of your flight being delayed in departure is high.

[TulumSailor]

Thanks so much for your responses.
 

We’ll have 5 hours in Houston so regardless whether or not IAH participates in the ITI program, we should have plenty of time to confirm our luggage makes the connection to Munich.
 

We do not have EU passports. Our connection time in Munich is 1 hr 50 minutes which is cutting it close. With any luck it should work out ok. Flight Aware says the average delay of the Houston-Munich flight is less than 10 minutes. 
 

How is customs at BLQ? Our plan is to have 2 checked bags, 2 carryons and 2 backpacks with us with no alcohol, no tobaccos  and only clothes and the usual accessories (iPhone, chargers, kindle and toiletries). We are on the B2B Transatlantic 

Edited September 27, 2023 by TulumSailor
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[CruiserBruce]

There can be a dramatic difference between Immigration and Customs. It is important to know the difference. Immigration (frequently called "Passport Check" in Europe) is about you personally being cleared to enter a country, or in this case, the EU. Customs is about your property being able to enter.

 

In Europe, Customs is not a thing. It is called the "Red/Green" system, and takes seconds, literally. If you have anything to declare, you go to the red lane. If you don't, you go to the green lane, and exist to the outside. This is done at your final destination.

 

Immigration is much like most anywhere. You will clear Immigration (not Customs) in MUC, your first touch in Europe. 1:50 is enough time there, MUC is a very efficient airport.

[fbgd]

4 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

You will clear Immigration (not Customs) in MUC, your first touch in Europe. 

 

Pedant's Corner...

 

Immigration and Customs is determined by the Schengen Agreement, not European or not. If a connecting flight is "intra-Schengen" then you clear immigration before boarding that flight.

 

The UK is in Europe but not part of the Schengen Zone so if they were connecting through Heathrow then you'd just clear security at LHR with immigration and customs taking place at BLQ. Because Germany and Italy are both in the Schengen Zone immigration and security is cleared at MUC with customs at BLQ.

 

 

[FlyerTalker]

On 9/19/2023 at 12:55 PM, TulumSailor said:

We are flying on United MEX-IAH-MUC-BLQ to get to Ravenna for our Celebrity cruise.

 

Not really relevant to your outbound to BLQ, but if returning from the same airport, see if you can use the MBL Lounge.  Not a great lounge, but it does provide you with access to the fast track lane for security.  Available if you have Priority Pass.

 

 

[em-sk]

On 9/26/2023 at 11:18 PM, TulumSailor said:

How is customs at BLQ? Our plan is to have 2 checked bags, 2 carryons and 2 backpacks with us with no alcohol, no tobaccos  and only clothes and the usual accessories (iPhone, chargers, kindle and toiletries). We are on the B2B Transatlantic 

 

You will find it simpler and smother than North America.   

 

Any bags checked in from an airport within the European Union has green borders on them so they stand out.  Those that originate outside of Europe (such as yourself) are normal all white.

 

As others have said when you leave the baggage area there are two lanes.  Given what you have described you will likely have nothing to declare.  If you have the all white tagged bags, as you exit they may pull you aside to ask a question or two or do a customs inspection, however in Europe it is rare to see them do that, most people just walk straight through without even being stopped.