Your first international trip
A short procedural checklist for travellers crossing a border for the first time. Covers duty-free allowances, declarable goods, medication paperwork and what to expect at customs.
Checklist
- 01
Check the duty-free allowance for your destination country (alcohol litres, cigarettes, personal goods USD).
- 02
Identify anything you're carrying that may require a declaration: cash over the threshold, food, plants, animal products, commercial quantities of anything.
- 03
If you're carrying prescription medication, take the prescription label and a doctor's letter. Some controlled medications are illegal at your destination even with a prescription — check the destination's medication page.
- 04
Review the destination's prohibited items list on the official customs site before you pack.
- 05
On arrival, follow signs to the customs channel. 'Nothing to declare' (green) is only appropriate if you are confident nothing in your bag needs declaring.