Where Do I Clear US Customs

You will go through US immigration in Atlanta. Allow yourself plenty of time there, it's a very large airport.

Thanks so much. A very simple reply. Onward!

Yes, you must retrieve your luggage to re-check in Atlanta.

I highly recommend using the Mobile Passport Control app when you arrive in Atlanta. It is free. You can enter traveler info in advance. Once you collect your luggage, use the app to answer a few questions. You then go through a designated customs line, usually right next to the CLEAR line. It saved us at least an hour in Seattle.

Mobile passport app is free and we may not have it working the day you come through. I’m sorry that you have to come to Atlanta, but just assume that we will make it as obnoxious and as horrible as possible because allowing citizens back in the country apparently really upsets the border patrol here.

Returning to the US has become painful in many places. LAX Customs and Border Control is a particularly surly bunch.

Another tip--Make sure they book your bags to your final destination. We were leaving French Polynesia and for some reason (we were on same airline the entire journey) the bags were only checked through to SFO - we were continuing on and were changing planes at SFO. It was a pain to have to stand in line to recheck our bags, when others that had connections, just had to drop their bags off with very little wait.

Also, If you buy anything liquid or gel more than 3 oz at Duty Free in Germany or Italy, you will have to put those in your checked bags upon arriving to the States. I almost lost some French Liquor I bought at duty free a few years back because I did not know we had to go through security again at JFK after customs. Luckily a sharp baggage guy was able to grab my bag before it disappeared into the bowels of the airport baggage conveyor world. I was able to put my booze in my checked bag.

Another recommendation for the Mobile Passport App. It may take a few moments to download after putting in your info but has saved us time when the line is long. We’ve used it in Seattle, Dulles, Newark and San Francisco.

Edit: We were able to carryon our duty free liquor purchased at Heathrow on our connecting flight from Seattle to Bend, just be prepared for security to do a thorough check to make sure the sealed bag was not tampered with and the bottles themselves go through a monitor.

Unlike Carol, I have had good experiences with Mobile Passport Control in Atlanta. Just recently my wife and I used MPC in Atlanta and easily beat our travel companions (who were using Global Entry) through immigration. If you don’t see the MPC sign, ask about it.

Atlanta has always been my preferred airport when entering the country. Never had a problem.

For future reference, when entering the US, you will always go through immigration and customs at your first port of entry regardless of how many connenctions you might have afterwards. (In your case, you will retrieve your checked luggage in Atlanta.)

The only exception is if you arrive from a "Pre-Clearance" airport where you go through immigration and customs before you board the plane to the US. These airports are found in Canada, Ireland, Aruba, Abu Dhabi, Nassau (Bahamas) and Bermuda.

If you decide to use Mobile Passport Control (MPC), my suggestion is to download it before you leave home and familiarize yourself with the procedure prior to your trip. It will save you time getting through immigration.

In Germany, you will go through exit immigration for Schengen and get your passport stamped. (That's the procedure as of now but may change by then....although I doubt it.)

I just came through Atlanta yesterday and it was quite easy - I thought it was well signed and flowed well, certainly compared to my last entry at JFK! I do have global entry, but using the MPC app as mentioned above will make it easier/faster if you don't.

If you check baggage on the way home, you will have to pick up your luggage after you go through passport control (I believe this is true for almost all in-bound international flights to the USA, except possibly pre-clearance origins like Dublin and Toronto). in ATL After baggage claim, you will re-clear security (I only had to remove my laptop, and dump my water bottle, no removing small liquids baggies or shoes). Then after security I think there is a spot to re-check it. Afterwards you can make your way to connecting gates.

@Carol
I agree. Returned from a week in Paris on October 1. The person managing the Mobile Passport line that day in ATL was rude, sarcastic and on a power trip. I could have cheerfully choked her.

Thanks everybody for the confirmation about Atlanta and the tip on the Mobile Password App, which I will research.
Stay calm and carry on!

Went through Atlanta Oct 10 MPC app worked flawlessly. No problems just another big airport. And I thought my Reno connections were shakey! Brad