DCA->CLT->DUB with an ATA carnet. Customs?
October 2, 2015 6:00 PM Subscribe
Flying to Dublin from National (DCA) via Charlotte this Sunday with video and sound equipment. Details and questions inside.
DCA->CLT->DUB this Sunday 10/4/15
Arrive CLT 4:49 PM, depart 6:10 PM (1:21 layover)
Already have carnet in hand for video and sound equipment.
Where do we do customs? From what I can find online DCA has no proper customs facility. CLT does. Will we need to retrieve checked bags in CLT, do outgoing customs there, and go back through security etc? If so I assume we will not have enough time with this layover.
Beyond that I haven't determined that CLT customs office is even open on Sundays...?
I also see that DUB has a US Customs office, but this seems to be for preclearing travelers to the US only. They wouldn't process us and our carnet coming INTO Ireland, would they? (Then immediately after, Irish customs would do their part. This seems unlikely.)
Any info appreciated. Thanks!
DCA->CLT->DUB this Sunday 10/4/15
Arrive CLT 4:49 PM, depart 6:10 PM (1:21 layover)
Already have carnet in hand for video and sound equipment.
Where do we do customs? From what I can find online DCA has no proper customs facility. CLT does. Will we need to retrieve checked bags in CLT, do outgoing customs there, and go back through security etc? If so I assume we will not have enough time with this layover.
Beyond that I haven't determined that CLT customs office is even open on Sundays...?
I also see that DUB has a US Customs office, but this seems to be for preclearing travelers to the US only. They wouldn't process us and our carnet coming INTO Ireland, would they? (Then immediately after, Irish customs would do their part. This seems unlikely.)
Any info appreciated. Thanks!
My experience flying to Dublin (PHX->JFK->DUB) about 5 years ago had me do both incoming Irish customs/immigration and returning US customs/immigration in DUB. I wasn't carrying anything requiring declaration or a carnet, though -- unsure if that changes things.
posted by Alterscape at 7:44 PM on October 2, 2015
posted by Alterscape at 7:44 PM on October 2, 2015
Not sure why you'd have anything to do with customs until you try to enter another country, security yes, especially if you don't stay air side but customs not really. So that would mean you clear customs entering Ireland not during your domestic connection to an international flight but I am no expert.
posted by koahiatamadl at 4:19 AM on October 3, 2015
posted by koahiatamadl at 4:19 AM on October 3, 2015
I fear you are going to have to do customs at CLT (somehow convincing the airline to give you your bags back). Even if their business office isn't open, they will still have customs officers there doing inspections for returning passengers, so you will be able to find someone to help you out. The timing of the layover is rightfully concerning however.
I would head out to Dulles today and go to customs there (you can try calling, but I don't think they'll answer the phone today--(703) 318-5900). its down the hallway just to the right of International Arrivals on the baggage claim level. If no one is there, you can knock on the door at the end of the hallway or grab someone who works there to go get a Customs officer from inside the international arrivals area. I don't know that they will stamp the Carnet, but maybe they can help you figure out how to proceed.
My experience has been that they stamp the Carnet without even looking at the gear (going outbound). Its very very quick. I waited much longer for a Customs officer to arrive than for them to process the paperwork. But that was when I was leaving from IAD, of course. Not sure how fast it would be at CLT, nor how you would get your luggage from the airline.
posted by jindc at 6:59 AM on October 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I would head out to Dulles today and go to customs there (you can try calling, but I don't think they'll answer the phone today--(703) 318-5900). its down the hallway just to the right of International Arrivals on the baggage claim level. If no one is there, you can knock on the door at the end of the hallway or grab someone who works there to go get a Customs officer from inside the international arrivals area. I don't know that they will stamp the Carnet, but maybe they can help you figure out how to proceed.
My experience has been that they stamp the Carnet without even looking at the gear (going outbound). Its very very quick. I waited much longer for a Customs officer to arrive than for them to process the paperwork. But that was when I was leaving from IAD, of course. Not sure how fast it would be at CLT, nor how you would get your luggage from the airline.
posted by jindc at 6:59 AM on October 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I see that BWI might be more convenient for you....I don't know where the Customs office is, but I assume its near International Arrivals, just like at IAD. Same drill should apply, at least for trying to speak with a supervisor who can advise you on how to proceed.
I guess its possible that you could try to do it at DUB, but I can't imagine you'd be able to get to US Pre-clear Customs when you arrive, before hitting Irish customs.
posted by jindc at 7:11 AM on October 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I guess its possible that you could try to do it at DUB, but I can't imagine you'd be able to get to US Pre-clear Customs when you arrive, before hitting Irish customs.
posted by jindc at 7:11 AM on October 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: For any future readers: We essentially ignored the carnet process and the fact that we had one. Even if we'd wanted to, again there is no help at DCA and due to delays we had a mad dash to make our connection to DUB. On our arrival at DUB nobody took interest. I think the process of preclearance at DUB may have smoothed our return, as cases are already checked in before speaking with US customs there, and not looked at again.
I would not recommend this course of action when carrying an ATA carnet. Probably best to fly overseas directly from a domestic airport with customs office, which we would've done if we'd made our own arrangements and realized that DCA had no such office. Worked out for us this time but I imagine could be a problem.
No real best answer to mark here but thanks for the help, all. Especially thanks to jindc for getting what I was after and offering some good thoughts on the matter.
posted by zoinks at 3:18 PM on October 13, 2015
I would not recommend this course of action when carrying an ATA carnet. Probably best to fly overseas directly from a domestic airport with customs office, which we would've done if we'd made our own arrangements and realized that DCA had no such office. Worked out for us this time but I imagine could be a problem.
No real best answer to mark here but thanks for the help, all. Especially thanks to jindc for getting what I was after and offering some good thoughts on the matter.
posted by zoinks at 3:18 PM on October 13, 2015
« Older What was the last big quote from "The Martian"? | Whether to tell annoying person she's annoying. Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
Your layover may not be long enough. On a good day, you'll probably be fine. But on a bad day... you could easily miss your flight. Check to see if there are later flights that you may be put on, just in case.
posted by raztaj at 6:09 PM on October 2, 2015