Hi I am traveling from Florence Italy to Atlanta GA. I have a stop in Paris and then in Philadelphia before getting to Atlanta. If my baggage is checked through to Atlanta, will I have to go through customs in Paris and again in Philadelphia?
If I have to go through customs in Paris, do I have enough time with a 1 hour 15 min layover? Thanks
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5798 posts
In Paris, you will go through passport control as you will be exiting the Schengen area. 1 hour and 15 minutes will be tight, but if you have already bought your ticket there is not much you can do about it. When you arrive in Philadelphia, you will go through U.S. immigration first, retrieve your checked bag, go through customs, and then drop off your bag before you continue to Atlanta.
Posted by
Pensacola
9110 posts
Customs and immigration are only involved when entering a country (or Schengen Area in part of your case). Italy and France are both in Schengen, so you will have neither in Paris. Having your bags checked through has no bearing on the matter. You will go through both customs and immigration in Philadelphia when you first enter the U. S. You'll collect your bags, pass through customs, and turn them back in for shipment to Atlanta. The Philly to Atlanta flight is domestic. Nothing happens in Atlanta. I'm having trouble picturing the airport layout in Philadelphia, but I think you might have to pass through security enroute to Atlanta. You'll have to go through security in Paris as well as emmigration as you leave Schengen. Depending on your terminal/s, an hour is plenty if you don't dwadle. To help who ever is going to correct me, it would be helpful to know the airline.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23569 posts
You will go through security in Philly because you will have had access to your checked luggage because of customs. My experience with Philly is that it is a zoo. Hopefully it has been improved within the last two years. Anything picked up in Paris behind security in the Duty Free area will have to be put into your checked luggage in Phil if it is something that the TSA does not like.