Customs and Immigration at the Airport
By Res-Q Space Editorial · Updated
Immigration checks who you are and your right to enter. Customs checks what you bring. On arrival you typically clear immigration first, collect bags, then pass customs declarations — and the US has no sterile international transit.
Key facts
- JFK: all international arrivals clear US CBP; there is no sterile international transit.
- DXB: declare cash over AED 100,000; alcohol allowance cited as 4 litres of wine or equivalent categories on Dubai Airports guidance.
- SIN: SG Arrival Card mandatory for visitors; submit up to three days before arrival.
- LHR: many EU/EEA/Swiss nationals use eGates; UK ETA applies to many other visitors.
- CDG: Schengen procedures; EU/EEA citizens may use PARAFE e-gates.
What is the difference between customs and immigration?
Immigration (border control / passport control) verifies identity and permission to enter. Customs regulates goods: alcohol, tobacco, cash, food, and merchandise. You can pass immigration and still be stopped at customs.
The arrival process, step by step
- Disembark and follow “Arrivals / Passport control” signs.
- Clear immigration or an automated gate if eligible.
- Collect checked bags (unless remaining airside on a true sterile connection).
- Exit via customs — green for nothing to declare or red when declaring.
At JFK you do this even when connecting onward inside the US: clear CBP, then re-check bags and security.
What you must declare
- Cash thresholds — DXB cites declaration above AED 100,000.
- Food, plants, and animal products — JFK / CBP guidance requires declaring food, plants, and animal products.
- Alcohol and tobacco within or beyond duty-free allowances (destination-specific).
Red channel and green channel
Green: nothing to declare. Red: goods to declare. When unsure, use red — false declarations can trigger penalties.
What happens if you are stopped
Officers may open bags, ask about the purpose of cash or goods, or seize prohibited items. Answer factual questions; keep receipts for expensive goods.
Automated gates and who can use them
| Hub | Automated option |
|---|---|
| LHR | eGates for many eligible biometric passports (EU/EEA/Swiss and other enrolled cohorts as posted) |
| CDG | PARAFE e-gates for eligible EU/EEA travellers |
| JFK | Global Entry kiosks for enrolled travellers |
| ICN | Fast biometric lanes for registered travellers |
Eligibility changes — read the signs at the hall; nationality alone does not guarantee eGate access.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between customs and immigration?
Immigration checks travellers and entry permission. Customs checks goods and declarations. They are usually sequenced one after the other on arrival.
How much cash can I carry without declaring it?
Limits differ by country. Dubai Airports guidance cites declaration for cash over AED 100,000 for UAE entry. Check your destination’s customs authority before travel.
Can I bring food into the country?
Often restricted. US CBP requires declaring food, plants, and animal products. Singapore and other destinations enforce strict food rules. When unsure, declare.
Fly prepared — on your phone
Offline airport guides and boarding-pass checklists — free on the App Store and Google Play.
Sources
- JFK Airport — verified
- Dubai Airports — verified
- Changi Airport — verified
- London Heathrow — verified
- Paris Aéroport — verified
- Incheon Airport — verified
Rules change. Confirm with your airline or the airport before you travel.