Do You Have To Go Through Customs On A Layover
If you’ve ever flown internationally, you’ve probably wondered: Do you have to go through customs on a layover? It’s a common question, and the answer isn’t always straightforward. It depends on a few key factors—where you’re flying from, your final destination, and even the airport where your layover happens. In this post, we’ll break it all down in easy-to-understand terms so you’re not stuck guessing when you’re in a rush between gates.
Understanding Customs vs. Immigration
Before we dive in, let’s quickly talk about the difference between customs and immigration. People often use the terms interchangeably, but they’re two different things.
So when you land in a country, you usually go through immigration first to show your passport and visa (if needed). Then, customs is where they make sure you’re not bringing in anything illegal or over the duty-free limits.
Domestic Layovers: No Customs Needed
If you’re flying within the same country—say, from Los Angeles to New York with a layover in Chicago—there’s no need to deal with customs or immigration. You won’t be leaving the country at any point, so these checks simply don’t apply.
So, in short: Do you have to go through customs on a layover for domestic flights? Nope! You’re good to go.
International Layovers Within the Schengen Zone
Flying through Europe? Many countries in Europe are part of the Schengen Zone, which allows people to move freely between member countries. If your layover is in a Schengen country, chances are you’ll only go through immigration once—when you enter the zone.
For example, if you fly from the U.S. to Germany, with a layover in France:
So, do you have to go through customs on a layover in this case? Only if you’re collecting your baggage or switching airports mid-journey.
International Layovers While Heading to a Final Destination
Now here’s where things really vary. Let’s say you’re flying from New York to Tokyo with a layover in Vancouver, Canada. Even though Canada isn’t your final destination, you may have to go through both immigration and customs in Canada before getting on your next flight.
Why? Because some countries require arriving international passengers to officially enter that country—yes, even for short layovers.
This is particularly common in Canada and the U.S. because major airports like Toronto, Vancouver, and Dallas often don’t have separate “transit areas” for international passengers. So you’ll go through:
Once you do that, you’ll proceed to your next gate.
In this scenario: Do you have to go through customs on a layover? Yes—unless your airline automatically transfers your bags and there’s a dedicated international transit zone (which is rare in North America).
Do You Need a Visa During a Layover?
Visas are a whole other beast! You might not think you need one if you’re just passing through—but some countries require a transit visa, even if you’re only staying for a couple of hours.
Countries like Russia and China often require this, while others like the U.S. usually don’t allow transit without going through immigration first.
So even if you plan to stay in the airport, always check whether you’ll need a visa to pass through.
Quick tip: Call your airline or look on the official immigration website of the layover country before your trip for the latest rules.
What Happens If You Have to Switch Airports?
Sometimes layovers involve changing airports—especially in large cities like London or Paris. Let’s say you land at London Heathrow, but your connecting flight leaves from Gatwick.
Here’s what that means for customs:
In this type of layover, you’re essentially entering the country. So yes, you do have to go through customs on a layover if it involves switching airports.
Checked Bags: Pick Them Up or Not?
Your luggage plays a huge part in whether you go through customs. If your luggage is checked through to your final destination (which is often the case with international flights on the same airline), you won’t need to pick it up during your layover.
But if:
Then yes, you’ll have to collect your luggage and go through customs before checking it in again.
So a general rule here is: If you have to pick up your checked luggage, you’ll go through customs.
What If You Stay in the Airport?
This one’s straightforward. If you’re staying in the international transit area of the airport and your bags are checked through, you usually won’t need to go through customs or immigration.
This is common at major international hubs like Dubai, Singapore, or Doha. These airports are designed to handle huge numbers of transit passengers and make it easy to change flights without entering the country.
So, do you have to go through customs on a layover in this situation? Generally no—unless you exit the transit area.
Examples from Real Travelers
Let me share a personal experience. I once flew from Boston to Bangkok with a layover in Tokyo. I stayed in the same terminal, didn’t leave the airport, and my bags were checked all the way through.
Guess what? I didn’t go through customs or immigration in Japan. It felt like a super smooth layover.
On the other hand, a friend of mine had a layover in Los Angeles on the way home from Mexico. She had to:
All during a tight two-hour layover! It was hectic and she nearly missed her connection.
Tips to Make Layovers Easier
Here are a few tips to make your next layover trip smoother:
Being informed makes your travel less stressful—and maybe even enjoyable.
The Final Word: It Depends!
So, do you have to go through customs on a layover? The honest answer is—it depends. The variables include:
It’s not always black and white. But if you do your research and prepare accordingly, you’ll breeze right through your next layover.
Helpful Resources
Use these links to prepare for your next international trip: