Travel English: How to go through customs at the airport

Do the customs officers at the airport in the U.S. make you nervous? Me too. But there is no need to be. Just be prepared and calm, and use the tips in this lesson to make your experience much smoother and less stressful. Learn the words and phrases they will use when they ask you questions, and learn how to answer. If you answer incorrectly, you may be shot. Don't forget to practice with the quiz before you fly! www.engvid.com/travel-english-...
TRANSCRIPT
Hi. I'm Adam. Welcome back to www.engvid.com. Today's lesson is a little bit specialized. We're going to talk about going through customs at a U.S. airport, more specifically, at an airport.
Now, before I begin, why am I doing this lesson? Not too long ago, I flew... I had to go out of town and I had to fly through the States. I flew through Detroit, it's a big hub. In case you're ever flying through a hub, a hub is a central area where many flights come and connect to other flights. And I was in line at the customs, and ahead of me was a couple, they were tourists, I think. And I could see the panic on their faces when the custom guy... Customs guy started speaking to them and asking them questions, and they were so nervous, and they could barely speak. And the more nervous they became, the more questions they got from the customs guy. So, I want to make going through customs as easy as possible for you by giving you a few tips.
First thing you have to remember when you come to the customs guys: have all your forms completed properly. So, if you're coming into a States, you're going to be given a form, I think it's an I-94 form with all kinds of questions. Fill out everything correctly, properly. If you're not sure what something means, ask a flight attendant to help you, they will. Fill everything before you get to customs. Have all your documents; your passport, your return flight ticket. If you're going as a student, have your Visa. If you're going there to work, have your Visa, your work permit, whatever you need. All documents ready, all forms complete, ready to go.
Then the most important thing that you can do when going through customs at an U.S. airport is relax. Okay? Very important to relax. Now, one thing you will notice about American customs officers, they never ever smile. They will never smile. They are always going to look mean, and tough, and questions, questions, questions. That's their job. They're nice people. Don't think anything badly of them. They're doing their job, they want to scare you so that you give them the information that they need.
So, relax. Answer all their questions quickly and as short as possible. If they ask you a yes/no question, answer yes or no. Almost... In most cases, in 99% of the questions, don't say: "I don't know." You do know. You know everything that they're going to ask you. Yes, no, there, there, this long, that person, done. Okay.
So, they can ask you any number of questions, but here are a few of the more common questions that they might ask you. Okay? So, be prepared, answer them quickly, go on your way, enjoy your vacation in the U.S.
What is your final destination? It means: where are you going? Where is your last stop? So, if you're flying in to New York and then you're catching another flight to Kentucky, your final destination is Kentucky, not New York. So, you're going to Kentucky. If you're going to another country, so for example I was coming back to Canada. What is your final destination? Toronto. I was just flying through the U.S.
How long will you be staying in the U.S.? Again, never say: "I don't know." You do know. You have a return ticket out. If you have an open ticket, say you have... "I have a one-year open ticket. I'm not sure when I'm going to go back, but within one year." Have that ticket ready to show him or her. Okay?
How long will you be staying? Two days, a week, two weeks, whatever.
What is the purpose of your visit? Why are you here? To visit family, work or business, tourism, vacation, or transit. Okay? I was there, just transit. Transiting. I was just catching a flight to my next place, which is Canada. I was just here to transit. No problem.
Where will you be staying? Now, this is a very important question. If you are staying in the U.S., make sure you have your hotel address ready to tell the customs officer. If you're staying with a friend, have your friend's address ready to tell the customs officer. If you're staying in a dorm, if you're a student, say the name of the school, the dorm, have the address ready. Never say: "I don't know. I haven't figured it out yet." They want to know where to find you if they need to find you. Okay? Make sure you have an actual place to stay.

[@engvidAdam]

For more travelling vocabulary, watch my new video on TOURISM vocabulary-resorts, group tours, sightseeing, and more! kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoi3qJVqmLl-oZI

[@eduardoalcantara47]

Hi Adam . Yours lessons are very easy to understand , always with nice topics . Definetely a Great teacher . Regards

[@juampy725663]

this couldn't be more helpful, thanks so much, Adam. A great work indeed.

[@yanzenhernandez1071]

I hope you can make a second part, because I think that It's very useful, there are many people who get nervous at the airport, and this helps a lot.

[@braydonmackey926]

I live in New Zealand and the customs officers there are really nice, they always smile!!! and talk to you with a random conversation like How's your day been.

[@johnsondave7124]

The States is far more vulnerable to terrorists than New Zealand and that's why they hold the airport under extremely tight security just to make sure everybody is safe. They may keep a straight face in hope of getting as much information as they can about passengers coming into their country.

[@kenney1050]

England too!

[@brainhugu9383]

you're the best teacher ,that I have ever had.

[@MiguelMorales-th8vb]

Thanks for the tips, they are very helpful, but above all, thanks for taking the time to support the travelers.

[@chdn55]

Thank you very much. Never thought, that US customs officers are so serious... Please, keep going do what you do

[@ronaldofinotti3755]

Thanks so much Adam. I'm from Brazil. I'm going to LA for vacation with my family. I learned a lot with the video.

[@lauramamulashvili951]

Thanks Adam. Your lessons and recommendations are very helpful.

[@tarciogama]

This is the best video about it, great job, your teaching is easy to understand.

[@rodrigotorres7722]

I came across with this helpful lesson and I was like: I can't believe it, because Actually I'm going to the States in 12 days to visit family, my final destination is Minnesota and I'm going through Houston, so this was really helpful for me, I just want to give you massive thank you Adam, you are my favorite teacher, keep on doing really helpful lessons. Greetings from Mexico.

[@mth-dr5yl]

Thanks a lot Adam.Your teaching technique and the way you teach is very good and you speak very clear .

[@nangfamin4564]

Thank you so much for your teaching. it very useful :) this time it my first time to go to abroad and i'm worried that i might nervous on that time. i will try to relax and do my best to answer quickly and as short as possible.

[@katsuknives]

I should watch this video before I had that bad experience months before! Thank you Adam!!! I really appreciate this one and hope you could make more videos for such specific scenarios!

[@johnmarks714]

I agree

[@azistorm]

All of your videos are phenomenal, I really needed your videos its so helpful.

[@vladyslavholovko325]

Thank you, Adam, I like your way of teaching/speaking! You do a good work :)

[@gilbertofilho4099]

I am from Brazil, and this is a better way to learn english. I never saw another way more practice. Thank you very much and congratulation!

[@user-qb5yh3hj6p]

Adam, you are the best English teacher I've ever met in my life!

[@gilsonmandalogo]

This video is awesome, it's very easy to understand for people who don't speak english very well, but need to answer the customs questions in english

[@simonmhamdi2955]

thanks for the lesson i always have a problem with us customs in NY when i flew from casablanca, thanks.

[@Kate-gp4pm]

Thank you, Adam! This lesson is great!

[@tatyanadurbin8463]

Thank you, Adam,your lesson is very useful!

[@saltasoltik8130]

Omg this is the best vids i have ever seen:) thank you, Adam;)

[@vivianpolackkutter8508]

Extremely helpful!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Adam!! Very good idea by the way!!!

[@user-wi3qh4yp5d]

Thank you so much for your videos, i've been watching them for half a day and can't stop))))

[@szepjuhaszne]

Thank you so much Adam, It is very useful. :) Happy weekend.

[@StanleyNovel]

Oh my Gosh. Adam is so tolerant and peaceful teacher I`d like to have

[@Kozakmax]

One of the most useful video I have ever seen. Thanks

[@saidibrahimcadliftstudio2410]

Best teacher, you covering everything,thanks .

[@tornado1789]

Keep going Adam. I like your lessons, and the your method to explaine.

[@lapzay81]

Adam,you are the Best.Really. Thank you a lot and hello from Russia:)

[@lenieroux8238]

Thanks for lesson Go in July to London on vacation for 10days from SA My first visited and am alone .

[@amralkahtani1511]

Thank you very much Mr. Adam. I appreciate your help.

[@jairoeuzebio5123]

That's awesome! Important tips. Almost all of the questions are the same you showed.

[@Alaa63543]

Thank you so much for teaching us this very useful information

[@nirenparikh9801]

A Nice Educative & a Helpful Video! Thanks!

[@wim2817]

I was last week from AMS to ATL and i come at the customs desk and that girl was very friendly.

[@mariamadele296]

Thank you teacher 👨‍🏫 Adam for teaching this lesson really you are the best I’m following you in KZbin From Mariam 2019

[@DANIEL-sb5yp]

Thank you very much! In airport customs, many people find difficult to answer simple questions because, on those occasions, they are unfortunately afraid to say something wrong to the customs official.

[@johnmarks714]

I felt the same way returning back to the US as a US citizen

[@alexmeister6049]

Thank you for a lesson, Adam!

[@HamzaAli-sy8pq]

Nice lesson, it's gonna help me, your teaching style is nice Adam.

[@valentinastankovic7796]

Very well explained thank you ☺️.

[@nevergiveup2311]

Thanks I looked for video like that. I'm going to go to the US this year and these informations are very helpful for me ;)

[@shaminsamuel4118]

Thank you for your observation and your video it is very useful to me. I would write down those questions and the answers to them for my next flight. I'm a new flyer.great job.

[@terttualavuokila8441]

Very clear lesson. Thank you Adam.

[@andregomes4004]

Very good tips man! It was a lot helpful for me. Thanks so much

[@pyayemout8549]

Dear sir, thank you 'cause I can understand what you teach. Your tone is very clear, not fast or slow. Thank a lot, sir.

[@jounlth2872]

Thank you Mr AD it is very clear voice and very good topic

[@marcelobarrancos1035]

Thank you for the tips. Very useful. Congrats!

[@eloisebrynlee]

This is really good. Customs really unsettles me, and I haven't visited the U.S. yet, Australia is a bit nervous too, and I am a citizen! UK was nerve-racking, but I am much better prepared now, and thanks again for the vid.

[@johnmarks714]

Im a US citizen new to international travel and this is very helpful and applicable anywhere i go.

[@walimughal3340]

I was so happy I got the visa but now this.. thanks a lot Adam mate :)

[@nasirchowdhury2476]

Thanks Adam. You’re a good teacher.

[@wajdilaffet7159]

I do appreciate you, Adam, you are a good teacher

[@aaronrodriguez7028]

Thank you Adam, very helpful and easy lesson

[@alex0131rec]

Thanks for the information, i haven´t had the opportunity to travel to U.S. but anyway i watch this video, maybe it can help me someday.

[@ValeriaGalindo]

OMG!!! thankyou so much for this lessons it wil really help me when I reached the USA

[@PauloHenrique-ij1pu]

Great lesson! Thanks Teacher Adam!

[@MsMassi1]

thank you so much.. you are a good teacher and great tips.

[@nelyaholov7400]

It''s important information for travelers.Thanks a lot.

[@abdirisaaqsanka3592]

Adam you're the best teacher thanks a lot

[@sreylenmeth4867]

it is great to know how it goes when we are gonna traval on business or vacation abroad.

[@easyway1986]

Great lesson. Thank you.

[@phuongtranvan3936]

Hi Adam .Thank for your lesson.I try to do the test better next time.

[@1000odahcam]

Thank you for excellent exposure.

[@pedromanuelbunga9384]

The better way in life is to to be humble and learning from other, then I would line to say that, keep being as you are...

[@user-vs4xl5tt4x]

Thanks! I like the way of your lessons.

[@tigerzuri9547]

Very usefull video Adam. Thanks for sharing.

[@soykatmia6174]

The tense solve us

[@jaedu860212]

Great video Adam. This will help me out when I will go to the US.

[@joaomalaquias7227]

Thank for your classes and videos.

[@Dadaramaronge]

Very helpful.Thanks Adam!

[@jackwalker9439]

Really usefull lesson,Adam! Thank You

[@suenalini3886]

Very useful information!👏🏻👏🏻

[@daud184]

very informative in clear and understandable accent. Well done

[@dinaalbadree9189]

Very useful info ...many thanks

[@zildamorais6834]

Thank you for the class.

[@Sebastian37s]

Thanks Adam; Now, I'm going to Miami, Florida for vacation (Haha, I'm so excited), this will be very useful ...

[@shutupidiot16yearsago79]

Eduardo González Hope you enjoyed :'-/

[@saramuzic]

Thank you this is helpful and your channel is amazing

[@ktymxbr59]

Thank u Adam. It's really helpful!

[@MrChyroxy]

going to USA in 3 months. this is helpful❤ hope everything turs good!

[@Xxnfsu]

How did it go?

[@mozastratoberdha8527]

Very good explain thank you

[@marialaura7326]

Excellent teacher. Thanks

[@tatianasavenkova877]

Very good! what a great teacher! Thank you!🌷🌷🌷

[@kevindale4103]

Thanks! Very interesting lesson!!!

[@tharugamage7176]

Thanks alot for great information 💐💐💐💐

[@dulceangel191]

Great! Thanx for the lesson. Very useful

[@mariecharles4828]

Thank you so much for your help my dear teacher

[@michalmichal6540]

you do a excellent Job.. thanks a lot..take care

[@ShahinAlam-re9rn]

Very useful vedio, Thank you Adam

[@Abolwafa27]

An excellent video. Thank you.

[@shivagangagopu9218]

Thank you very much sir...it is very useful information for me...

[@liliancristina8546]

That's a very useful lesson! Thanks a lot Adam! :-)

[@dwmuw]

thank you so much Adam .

[@mrkongzz]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@javiergarciaperez6931]

Excellent video Adam!

[@yavuzugurlu7986]

Adam, thank you for your informations.

[@LuizSMatos-dr9tz]

That's a great lesson. I hope to use it soon.

[@ibrahimissaissa6627]

Very important lesson thanks

[@Tavo-Entertainment]

Great material, thanks a lot

[@user-ro2oq2vk7s]

Thank You! It's a very useful video!