US Customs when leaving Aruba

[fische]

Do you go through US customs at the Aruba airport?? So you would not go through US customs when you land in say Atlanta?

First trip to Aruba and MX, DR, Jamaica we had US customs when we landed.

Thanks for your feedback.

[Arubalisa]

YES, you go through US Customs and Immigration in Aruba. When your flight arrives in the U.S. you will be deplaning just as you would from any domestic flight.

http://www.airportaruba.com/images/Maps/Ground%20Floor%20MCA%20New.JPG

Procedure:

• Check in
• Enter the main building and go through Aruban immigration
• Go through Security/xray checkpoint
• Duty free shopping
• Retrieve you luggage
• Take your luggage and go through US Immigration
• Place your luggage back onto the conveyor belt to be placed on the plane
• Go through second security/xray checkpoint (see map link above)

[Andrea J.]

having the US customs in aruba is the best thing since sliced bread.

[hstvns]

Amen!!!!!

[Johnnyecks]

I agree, it really makes it easier. Yes, you spend more time in the Aruba airport but would you rather spend more time in the airport in Aruba than the airport wherever you're going? Yes, your waiting, but still.. you're waiting while on vacation! LOL

[aruba here I come]

in less there is an issue.
when we came back from aruba last march, we ended up going threw customs a bit here.(There was some talk of some drug garbage going on) While standing around the turnstile waiting for our luggage (which took forever, I would say at least an hour) They had the dogs out sniffing us!! so I am sure they had the dogs go over our luggage tooo!!!
NOt fun!!!

[Andrea J.]

huh?
did u have to fill out a us customs declaration again?

what airport?

[aruba here I come]

andrea, yes we did have to fill one out again. As far as I know they did not take anyone in, but they sure did have the sniffing dogs out smelling all of us...
and held us captive for well over an hour.... it was not fun!!!

Newark.

[DL Platinum]

As this will be my first visit to Aruba, I have a few questions about Customs and Immigrations at AUA.

1. Do people traveling in First or Business Class get any priority treatment regarding customs and immigration in or out bound? Many international airports provide this.
2. Does the US customs in AUA have Global Entry? (I think not)
3. For a 1pm departure, how much time should I allow for checkin, customs and immigration?

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by DL Platinum

As this will be my first visit to Aruba, I have a few questions about Customs and Immigrations at AUA.

1. Do people traveling in First or Business Class get any priority treatment regarding customs and immigration in or out bound? Many international airports provide this.

No

2. Does the US customs in AUA have Global Entry? (I think not)

No, for those not aware of the program
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/trusted_traveler/global_entry/

3. For a 1pm departure, how much time should I allow for checkin, customs and immigration?

If a Saturday 3 hours, any other day of the week I personally would be there 2/ 1/2 hours before, though some will say 2 hours is plenty.

Just keep in mind that besides going through Customs in Aruba you will be going through security twice- Aruba security and then TSA security.