Customs at Detroit International

Hi Sandy:

There is no immigration leaving the US, your Amsterdam flight will leave from a regular gate just like a flight to Chicago would.

You will need to show your passport at the departure gate in Detroit along with your boarding pass. There is no passport control.

Thank you Tom. I was told by a Delta agent I would have to go through customs so I was very concerned. When I booked my trip I allowed at least a 3 hour layover then my flight got changed. So thank you.

Unless something has changed in the past year, there is no immigration or customs on exiting the US. The airline will check your passport at check in but that is it. Coming home is a different experience.

Customs, checking of goods being brought into a country, is rarely done except maybe for a business. Ask to have your title changed as it is misleading.

I think the Delta agent was using the common term for a passport check. While technically incorrect, people know what they mean.

Probably what the Delta agent was trying to relate is that while you are waiting for your Amsterdam flight, they will do document checks then, as opposed to doing it at check-in in St. Louis. Then as you board, Delta in Detroit uses facial recognition to verify you are you (you actually do not even have to show your passport while boarding, though they request you have it in your hand).

All this does take some extra time, but that is one reason why boarding starts earlier for an international flight. The three hours is more than plenty, if they change flights (which they will) do not be concerned, they will make sure you get boarded. If for some reason they cut it to a half hour, I would call and ask if that is going to work.

Paul thank you for your reply. I don’t have 3 hours I only have 1 hour 50 minutes but if I don’t have to go through passport control and my plane is on time coming out of St. Louis, I should be ok.

Sandy:

The transfers at Detroit are easy, one of the easiest airports for a Delta transfer. You will likely arrive at the B concourse where the regional jets fly, just look over the map and see the underground connection. The Big jets leave from toward the middle of Terminal A.