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Information
for American Citizens Abroad
Passport
Services
U.S.
customs information
U.S.
Embassies & Consulates Worldwide
Foreign
Embassies in Washington DC
IATA - Passport, Visa
and Health requirements
New United States Travel
Requirements for 2007
Effective January 8, 2007, United States citizens are required to
have a valid passport to enter the United States via airline transportation.
Information on how to obtain a passport can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov
If you need to locate a passport office near you use the zip code
search on http://iafdb.travel.state.gov
The web information found on http://travel.state.gov/passport/about/agencies/agencies_913.html
describes how and where to obtain a passport in less than two weeks,
additional fees may apply.
Proof of Citizenship
United States citizens traveling to any foreign destination must
have proof of citizenship. If you are traveling to Europe, Costa
Rica, Latin or South America, Barbados, or Trinidad and Tobago,
you must have a valid U.S. Passport. If you are traveling to Bermuda,
The Bahamas, the Caribbean (except Trinidad or Tobago), or Mexico,
a valid passport is recommended. If you do not have a valid passport,
two pieces of I.D. are required. An original copy of a state issued
(not a hospital issued) birth certificate with a raised seal and
a government issued photo ID such as a driver's license or school
I.D. will be acceptable. A driver's license, social security card,
or school I.D. by itself is never considered proof of citizenship.
If you are a citizen of another country there may be additional
requirements. Check with the nearest consulate of the destination
you are traveling to and find out entry requirements for non-United
States citizens. Do not pack proof of citizenship in your
suitcase.
BY ORDER OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
HOMELAND SECURITY
THE FOLLOWING SECURITY MEASURES ARE IMPLEMENTED
PLEASE ADVISE YOUR PASSENSGERS:
Air travelers may now carry liquids, gels and aerosols
in their carry-on bag when going through security checkpoints.
With certain exceptions for prescription and over-the-counter medicines,
baby formula and breast milk, and other essential liquids, gels,
and aerosols, the following rules apply to all liquids, gels, and
aerosols you want to carry through a security checkpoint.
All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in three-ounce or smaller
containers. Larger containers that are half-full or toothpaste tubes
rolled up are not allowed. You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics
and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar
solids. Each container must be three ounces or smaller.
All must be placed in a single, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic
bag. Gallon size bags or bags that are not zip-top such as fold-over
sandwich bags are not allowed. Each traveler can use only
one, quart-size, zip-top, clear plastic bag.
Each traveler must remove their quart-sized plastic, zip-top bag
from their carry-on and place it in a bin or on the conveyor belt
for X-ray screening. X-raying separately will allow TSA security
officers to more easily examine the declared items. If you need
larger amounts of liquids, gels and aerosols such as toothpaste
or shampoo, please place them in your luggage and check them with
your airline.
Please note that some liquids, gels and all lighters are currently
prohibited. Any liquid, gel or aerosol, such as coffee or soda,
purchased in the secure area beyond the security checkpoint is allowed
aboard your plane. Please note that if you have a layover and are
re-screened at your connecting airport the current rules (see above)
for carry-ons apply.
This security regimen applies to all domestic and international
flights departing U.S. airports.
For passengers traveling to Europe from the United States:
Duty-free purchases of liquids of any size from shops in the US
are permitted if you have a nonstop flight to Europe.
If you are connecting in Europe, US duty-free liquid purchases in
containers larger than 3 ounces will not be permitted through EU
security checkpoints because they will not be in the EU-approved
tamper evident bags. Note: If you purchase a liquid duty-free item
in the US you will not be able to get a tamper evident bag for it
before going through an EU checkpoint.
When traveling to Europe with a connection, buy your duty-free liquid
items on the last leg of your trip. In Europe, passengers should
not open the special sealed tamper evident bag before the security
checkpoint or else the duty free contents may be seized.
For passengers traveling from Europe to the United States:
If you purchase liquid duty-free items at an EU airport, those items
will be permitted throughout the EU and other European security
checkpoints if they are in the tamper evident bag.
On nonstop flights bound for the US, duty free liquids purchased
in the EU are permitted only if they meet US requirements (delivered
to the aircraft for passenger pick-up, bought on plane, or purchased
after the security checkpoint).
If you are flying to the US and have a connecting flight, even duty-free
liquids that meet US requirements will NOT be permitted through
US security checkpoints. If you have a connecting flight, liquid
duty free purchases must be placed in your checked baggage. Since
you will be required to reclaim your checked bags prior to passing
through customs inspection, you can place duty-free liquids into
your bags and recheck it for your connection. When returning from
Europe on a connecting flight in the US, use your time in customs
to place any duty-free liquid items in your checked bags.
Please note, this information applies only to liquid, aerosol or
gel purchases that exceed the 3 ounce amount for single containers
packed in a one-quart plastic bag.
Travelers always should check with transportation security authorities
in their country-of-origin for flights originating at non-U.S. airports.
For detailed information please see the TSA web site at: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers
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