Coming back to U.S. - Customs?

abcdabcd · Post by **abcdabcd** » Tue 26th Oct 2010 04:13 pm

For people that are from the U.S. on here, when you came back from NL were you questioned about what you were doing here? I've heard on other flyer forums where people even get their laptops, usb sticks, phones, etc.. searched in the U.S. from Customs and Immigration, how common is this?

I've heard somewhere, I think on this forum that they ask people that are coming from NL if they visited coffeeshops? I'm planning on saying no but, I have bookmarks for coffeeshops and related stuff on my laptop, maps on my phone, notes, pictures etc.. and I am here for 3 months so I suppose they're going to be quite interested in what I was doing here all this time.

I know about encryption, so I can probably secure pictures, notes and things like that from my laptop from just being out in the open but, not on my phone, I would actually have to delete everything but, I'd rather not if it wouldn't be a big deal. Obviously, I won't be bringing any gear back with me. So, just having information, maps, etc.. I don't see why it should be a big deal but, then again I'm planning on saying no if they ask me if I visited coffeeshops but, if they decide to question me further and find the coffeeshop info then it might get worst if I lied to them.

If you're from the U.S and have visited NL what was your experience like with customs on the way back?

Thanks

Adamster · Post by **Adamster** » Tue 26th Oct 2010 04:27 pm

YES!
theyll be ask all them questions ! where when who why and ...
you must be fast too awnser the question no pausing or thinking get your story straight ...
Where you been in the country why there who did you know?
what CS and howmany you been 2
?where did you stay?do you know anyone there?are you a terrorist?
did you bring back some pot or hash?why the netherlands?
who did you see there? they may re-ask the same question in other form also...
what did you do there and why?
did you visit Coffeshop and witch ones?
howmuch money did you spend?
Where you work? or do? they mite put few question to try and confused you
DONT LIE about smoking DRUG and goin to CS's 1-cause theyll smell it off you close even if been washed...and smell will also be on everything else!

joeuk · Post by **joeuk** » Tue 26th Oct 2010 04:29 pm

bloody nazis

gixxer · Post by **gixxer** » Tue 26th Oct 2010 04:33 pm

id answer any questions about what i had in my luggage, but if asked about coffeeshops, id tell them to fuck off,and then clam up

joeuk · Post by **joeuk** » Tue 26th Oct 2010 04:35 pm

its never right how they want know all that stuff is it

Adamster · Post by **Adamster** » Tue 26th Oct 2010 04:41 pm

gixxer wrote:id answer any questions about what i had in my luggage, but if asked about coffeeshops, id tell them to fuck off,and then clam up

"2tell a American custom to go fuck themself... youll be treated like a terrorist truths me been there

and they be ripping and rapping your bags mite break stuff also

best is that you reply very nicely and hope they dont send you in a room to get search ...

gixxer · Post by **gixxer** » Tue 26th Oct 2010 04:51 pm

im used to being treated like a terrorist because of where i come from,,,,id still tell them to fuck off

not that theres much chance of me meeting yank customs anyway, as i dont plan on ever visiting the states

Pauli Wallnuts · Post by **Pauli Wallnuts** » Tue 26th Oct 2010 05:27 pm

tell them whatever you want, unless you have any prohibited items on your person/luggage, theres not a thing they can do, if you say no i havnt been to cs's, a quick swab of your stuff will prove your lying (because it actually says how high a concentration is found, & natural pollution will be alot less) &youl probably be strip searched fo lying, ive been asked a few times @gatwick, & i always say yes, everyday, thats 1of main reasons i go, then the obvious question is have you brought anything back, +ive been by air about 16-17times & the most ive ever had is a quick peek in my luggage (literaly open & shut), obviously americas famous tough customs might be different, but why lie when youve done nothing wrong?

abcdabcd · Post by **abcdabcd** » Tue 26th Oct 2010 06:20 pm

Ok, I'll tell them I visited coffeeshops then, I was thinking to say no since I thought they might let me through quicker, if I said yes I thought they might pull me aside and waste more time asking questions and searching my devices, laptops, phones, etc.. but, I suppose it would be worst if they caught me lying. It would be difficult for me to explain what I did if I said I didnt go to cs since I havent done anything touristy or anything like that, I was planning on visiting other countries in Europe but, that didn't happen either, except going to the UK for a weekend, I just stayed here the entire time.

USbongLord · Post by **USbongLord** » Tue 26th Oct 2010 08:21 pm

i tell them i went to the cannibas cup...i call my ride,and i tell them im gonna be an hour late while i laugh at my fellow americans (TSA) tearing my luggage apart...idiots,and beleive me,i tell each one to fuck off in many different ways...never had my puter searched tho...fuck em

Balou · Post by **Balou** » Wed 27th Oct 2010 12:08 am

In all the times I have been to Amsterdam, I've never been questioned by immigration. Customs is always a breeze unless you have something to declare.

Peace,
Balou

abcdabcd · Post by **abcdabcd** » Wed 27th Oct 2010 12:20 am

balou1999 wrote:In all the times I have been to Amsterdam, I've never been questioned by immigration. Customs is always a breeze unless you have something to declare.

Peace,
Balou

Are you talking about on the way there or on the way back? When I went there, it was just like you said, I didnt have anything to declare and walked through the correct way. It isn't like that on the way back though is it? I haven't travelled internationally since I was very young, I thought there is always customs and immigration procedure no matter what when you're entering the U.S.?

Balou · Post by **Balou** » Wed 27th Oct 2010 12:47 am

abcdabcd wrote:
balou1999 wrote:In all the times I have been to Amsterdam, I've never been questioned by immigration. Customs is always a breeze unless you have something to declare.

Peace,
Balou
Are you talking about on the way there or on the way back? When I went there, it was nothing like you said, I didnt have anything to declare and walked through the correct way. It isn't like that on the way back though is it? I haven't travelled internationally since I was very young, I thought there is always customs and immigration procedure no matter what when you're entering the U.S.?

When you return to the US you go to immigration first. If you will be asked any questions about your trip it would be here not customs. You then claim your luggage and then exit through customs. I usually travel 2 or 3 internationally each year and I am pretty good with making it through an airport without in problems.

Peace,
Balou

cantona7 · Post by **cantona7** » Wed 27th Oct 2010 04:19 am

iv never had any issues traveling from amsterdam at immigration at customs. if they ask where you came from be honest. if your smart you wont have anything on you and therefore wont have any issue.

oddly enough had a friend who was searched(not sure where he came from) and apparently he had a large amount of porn in his bag(no idea why he had them..not like we dont have porn in this country)and when they found it in his bag a whole line of like 200 people saw. wish i had been there

islandgurl · Post by **islandgurl** » Wed 27th Oct 2010 06:03 am

I've come back through immigration/customs so many times I've lost count. Never once have they asked if I went to any coffeeshops. They ask why you were there, I always say "Vacation!". You'll be fine and have a wonderful trip.