Customs Question - Changing Planes in Europe

You clear at your first landing location before you travel on. So if you land in Paris, you will clear in Paris, then connect to your flight to Dubrovnik.

Are you sure Ellen? I know you always clear customs at your first port of entry in the US (collecting and then re-checking bags) but I'm not sure this is the case connecting in a European airport.

It's been a few years since I travelled across the Atlantic so my memory might not be that accurate but I'm sure I've flown back to England via Amsterdam without passing through Dutch customs. I think it depends if you stay "airside" or not (and if your bags are checked through.)

Unless the airport in Paris has an international transfer area, you will have to go through passport control and customs when you arrive in Paris. Exception, if your bags were checked through to Croatia, your bags might go straight through. Ask your airline.

However, since Croatia is not a member of the Schengen treaty area, you will have to go through passport control and customs when you arrive in Dubrovnik.

I flew to Frankfurt on Lufthansa, changed planes but still Lufthansa, and flew to London. Customs in London.

I think it depends upon if you are with the same airline or if you have to leave a secured area to change planes to your final destination.

You might check the airport website.

It's getting very technical in Europe.

There is no reason for you to clear customs in Paris. You will stay airside and transfer to your flight to Dubrovnik. You will have to clear customs in Dubrovnik.

If we knew what airlines you were flying, we could be more specific. Basically, if you are departing from the same terminal at CDG, just go to your gate. If you need to change terminals, go to the transfer desk and they will tell you which shuttle to take and to which terminal.

Here's a guide to transfering flights at CDG:

Transferring flights at CDG

Thanks for the all the input. Not sure yet if we will be staying with the same airline for both legs or not. Travel is next May so I haven't booked yet. Sounds like it depends on the airport and maybe even airline.

I've connected in Frankfurt and Munich and I didn't have to go through customs. I did have to go through another security - went through the x-ray and couldn't bring liquids through even though I had brought the bottle of water from the first airplane.