Customs in London - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

LondonLover3 · 07-22-2009, 03:56 PM

I'm just wanting to double-check about going through customs and all that in London. It's my first time going alone and I went out of the country once before to the Dominican Republic and they gave us a landing card on the plane so we could fill it out before we landed. It was a charter flight and with Apple Vacations though. I just didn't know if because it was a group thing that's why they had the cards for us or if everytime you fly internationally they give you the cards on the flight. I just want to make sure I have everything I need before I go because that is really what is making me most anxious about my whole trip! I don't want to get caught up in customs or have anything go wrong on that end. Any help would be great!!:D

**Marcus Nappy** · 07-22-2009, 04:29 PM

Well I know that for Stansted you have to fill a landing card everytime you arrive in the country. They are provided just outside the passport/customs check. Im not 100% sure but if you have an EU passport you don't have to fill out out, but from outside the EU you do for sure.

LondonLover3 · 07-22-2009, 05:28 PM

Oh good. Well I have a U.S. passport so definitely going to have to fill one out. I knew I was going to have to, just didn't know how I would get it and/or where..like I said either on the plane but that makes sense too that they would have them at the customs place in the airport. Thanks so much!

**maracle** · 07-22-2009, 09:12 PM

I've been given a card on every international flight I've been on (except flights to/from Canada where there is customs preclearance).

**expatben** · 07-23-2009, 12:21 AM

yeah, you will probably get a card when you're on the plane (remember to bring a pen). As for British customs, I have never had a problem with them and have actually found them to be rather friendly. Providing everything is in order you ought to be fine.

**epicballa** · 07-23-2009, 09:55 AM

i've flown into heathrow 3 times. while the customs agents are generally nice and quick to get you through, the lines when i've been there have been insane. my shortest wait was approx 40 min.

**MolsonGirl** · 07-24-2009, 01:23 PM

Strange... granted I have a British passport (yup.. British Canadian.... sooo sweet when travelling) but I generally make it through customes and get my bags in 10 mins... which must be abnormal.. but sooo sweet for me

**expatben** · 07-25-2009, 08:43 AM

Same here-Canadian and British

The lines in Heathrow can be long but remember its a huge airport.

LondonLover3 · 07-30-2009, 10:55 AM

Sounds good! I don't really mind long lines I guess..as long as I'm not waiting bc there's something wrong...I've read there are like three different places you could go when you get off and if you don't have anything to declare you go through like the blue exit or something? or maybe it's red..ha I don't remember but I know it's different and I just wanna make sure I get the right one.I don't think I'll have anything that I need to declare but I don't want to get in trouble. Any thoughts on that?

**expatben** · 07-30-2009, 11:02 AM

In terms of signs I don't remember the colour but they are very well marked. There are also big signs telling you what you can/can't bring and the amounts.