These are strange times for international travel. If you are planning a trip overseas, you should expect longer wait times and increased security at customs when re-entering the United States. They will open your bags. They will open your carry-ons. They will open your purses. They might turn on your laptops. And then you will go through a second search at the gate.

It will definitely cause delays.

Cook Travel CEO Blake Fleetwood recently experienced heightened security when re-entering the country at JFK from his business trip to Turkey. He was particularly alarmed at the airport’s new emphasis on scrutinizing passengers’ electronic devices. It feels like quite a breach of privacy!

That’s why we checked in with the experts at U.S. Customs and Border Protection to find out what you need to know. Here are some trips for easy re-entry:

1. Don’t use your cell phone.
2. Don’t take any pictures.
3. Have your documents ready.
4. Keep yours answers to the officer brief and to the point.
5. Fill out all of your forms on the plane before you land.
6. Don’t declare anything if you don’t need to and avoid inspection.
7. Be advised that men and women may be screened separately.

For more info: 1.usa.gov/customs1 

Read more travel industry secrets on our blog.

Feel free to write to: info@cooktravel.net