U.S. Customs - A Step-by-Step Guide

With a little preparation the process of going through U.S. Customs can be generally smooth and without complications. This step-by-step guide has been prepared to help Ohio State students, faculty and staff who have been traveling abroad have a better understanding of what to expect when they return to the United States. 

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has authority to inspect “all persons, baggage and merchandise arriving in” the United States. These inspections usually consist of document checks, answering questions about your travel and, potentially, having luggage inspected.

Before your return

  • Check your travel documents and make sure you have them accessible in your carry-on bag.
    • U.S. citizens will need a passport to reenter (when traveling by air).
    • Noncitizens will need a valid passport as well as a valid visa or permanent residency card (Green Card).
  • You will need to declare all items purchased abroad that you are bringing home, including items from duty-free shops. Remember to keep all your receipts. 

At the airport

  • Upon landing, follow the signs to immigration and customs checkpoints. Have your documentation ready.
  • Complete the CBP declaration form (6059B) and itemize what you bought abroad. You may be asked to complete the form on paper, at a Global Entry kiosk or at an Automated Passport Control kiosk. CBP typically has staff available if you have questions.
  • Proceed through the CBP (“immigration”) checkpoint. A CBP system or officer will check your documentation and may ask questions about where you traveled, for how long, the purpose of your visit, and what you are bringing back.
  • All international airports in the United States now employ facial biometric comparison technology to process travelers’ identity. U.S. citizens may opt out of this process and instead request a manual review of their documents.
  • Your baggage may be inspected as well. Be patient during this process and follow the instructions of the CBP officer.
  • A “secondary inspection” or advanced screening is rare but may be experienced by some travelers. Remain calm and answer all questions truthfully.
  • Note that U.S. citizens have an absolute right to re-enter the United States.
  • If you are a noncitizen and you are detained during a secondary inspection, you may wish to speak with a lawyer. You may also wish to call Ohio State’s 24/7 emergency line at +1 614-292-6677.

Traveling with electronic devices

  • Backup your data before your travel to ensure you won’t lose valuable information if your device is inspected or if your device is damaged during travel.
  • Keep all devices accessible. The safest option is to pack your electronic devices in your carry-on luggage. During a CBP routine check or inspection, an officer may ask you to turn them on and show their content.
  • Ensure that your devices are password protected. You may be asked to unlock them for inspection. While U.S. citizens don’t have to unlock them when asked, the CBP has the right to take your devices for further inspection.
  • If you are concerned about protecting your devices or data, lock your devices with a password instead of using biometric access (face or thumb scans), minimize the data stored on your device, use strong password protection or encryption, power down your devices, back up your data or consider using a temporary device for travel purposes.
  • If a device is confiscated, ask for a receipt. If this is a university-owned device, please notify your department and OTDI.

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