Immigration- how long will we wait, anything we should know?

[Tinkjon]

That's interesting - we have always (and I mean *always*) been sent for a 2nd scan and I was told it was because we said yes to having food. Sounds like that's not true then!

[loves2plan]

Originally Posted by Tinkjon

That's interesting - we have always (and I mean *always*) been sent for a 2nd scan and I was told it was because we said yes to having food. Sounds like that's not true then!

See more...

We've always been sent to have our bags x-rayed too as we take cereal, but it's only ever taken a couple of minutes. 5 times out of 5 so far, expecting it to be 6 in October!

[mental4ever]

I have found that when I have taken any food, even teabags, I always write a list of what I have on a ‘post it note’. I then answer ‘yes’ on the declaration form but stick the ‘note’ onto the back of it.
Normally the immigration officer changes Yes to No and initials the change. Only once have we been asked to have the bags x-rayed again.

[pokerbanter]

Don't do what i did. When the officer asks if you have anything in your bag and i reply

"Just some coke"

We were escorted away by 2 officers & full bags searched, questioned etc as he thought i meant Cocaine. The 2 officers wee understanding & nice but had to then do their jobs.


Fun times!

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by Tinkjon

That's interesting - we have always (and I mean *always*) been sent for a 2nd scan and I was told it was because we said yes to having food. Sounds like that's not true then!

See more...

Hi Tinkjon, I know many pooh pooh declaring tea and coffee et al. I began declaring in 2004 after forgetting a large jar of coffee for a Brit friend living in Fl was in my case, took a firm customs tug for not declaring.

Once we began wintering on Pine Island, from 2011, any PoE involves a 2nd scan of our case. Perhaps they doubt the limited items we bring in for our long stay and want a peek to be sure we're not trying to sneak more imports past them

[Grace2007]

We went in October and I was expecting a 2 hour wait in immigration but we were through in 18 minutes ! It was a bit of a shock ! Probably won’t be so lucky this October! I had coffee, tea bags, biscuits and sweets and declared them but immigration weren’t bothered and off we went - no second scan needed.

[mick]

Originally Posted by Grace2007

We went in October and I was expecting a 2 hour wait in immigration but we were through in 18 minutes ! It was a bit of a shock ! Probably won’t be so lucky this October! I had coffee, tea bags, biscuits and sweets and declared them but immigration weren’t bothered and off we went - no second scan needed.

See more...

We were through in about 15 minutes in both visits last year - then on both occasions waited 45 minutes for the baggage carousel to start.

Mick

[Tinkjon]

Well I'll definitely hope for no second scan this time round then - I think also what made me assume it was the food that got us the scan was last year when we went via JFK. There, everyone that ticked 'yes' to food was told to go to a 2nd place - they actually told us we would have to do a 2nd scan because of food.

LOL at the 'just some Coke' comment On the way home my hand luggage raised some eyebrows and I got asked if I was bringing anything I shouldn't - I was really confused until they opened my bag and found the big pot of Bourbon seasoning spice mix that I'd bought over there

[Disney2019]

Do they still have specific (hopefully shorter) lines for US passport holders?

[lme30005]

We flew into MCO last month on the Norwegian flight and very luckily got in before the first Gatwick Virgin flight. Entered the immigration hall to a very short queue as we were off the flight near the front. Took about 15 mins to get through as there are 6 of us. No forms, no machines, no fingerprints and nothing asked about food. It was very easy this time. Then the baggage belts broke so we had a wait for that!