Transiting through an international airport
If you're changing planes without leaving the airport's transit area, customs rules differ from entry. Some countries still treat transit as entry for certain items.
Checklist
- 01
Check whether your transit airport requires a transit visa for your nationality (some countries — e.g. US, China, Canada — do require one for certain transits).
- 02
If your bags are checked through, you are not responsible for them during transit. If you have to recheck them, you may be considered entering the country (and customs rules apply).
- 03
Liquids from duty-free purchased at your origin in a sealed STEB bag are usually allowed on the onward flight, with the receipt, if the transit is within ~24 hours. Rules vary.
- 04
Prohibited-in-transit items (weapons, some biologicals) may be seized even if you never left the airside zone.
- 05
Sleeping in the transit area is fine in some airports (SIN, DXB, IST) and not allowed in others.