Customs question: SFO to CDG to Basel Switzerland

You will clear immigration in CDG and customs in Basel if your are ticketed through to Basel on one ticket. If on two separate tickets then you will do both immigration and customs in CDG.

Where are you flying from? You don't say, and that is an important deciding factor.

I know I'll need to clear customs at CDG

Not true, do not confuse immigration and customs, they are two different things.
Assuming you are flying from outside Europe, and you are doing this on one through booking, so you (and your luggage) are checked through from your departure airport to Basel.

• France and Switzerland are both in the Schengen Area, which is a passport Union. So you will go through immigration (passport control) in Paris, and, if necessary, your passport will be stamped there. You will not go through immigration again at Basel.
• Switzerland is not in the EU. Your luggage will be labelled through to Basel, you will not see it in Paris, you will not go through customs in Paris. in Basel you will pick up your luggage and go through Swiss customs (nothing to declare).

You will then exit the terminal and catch a No. 50 bus to Basel station.

Note: Basel airport straddles the border. After picking up your luggage, make sure you go through the exit marked "Switzerland", and NOT the exit marked "France"*.

Thank you for the great answers! I am on a single ticket (Air France) for the trip and I start in San Francisco.

Kathy Q