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- Apr 17, 2006
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Steamboat Grand, The West,
Raintree and, formerly, The Allen House
Had an interesting series of events on our recent trip to the UK and Italy via France.
First flight was from the US to Paris for a connection to London. We had to go through security in Paris for the connection but not Immigration. On arrival in London, we went through both Immigration and Customs.
Next flight was from London to Venice where we once again went through both Customs and Immigration.
Return flights required an overnight in Paris (tough duty). After arrival, we did not have to go through either Customs or Immigration (one carry on bag and two checked through to Detroit on the next day's flight). Basically we just walked off the airplane and into the Terminal where we could go as we pleased without any border formalities. We did have to go through Immigration on departure for a passport check but it seemed strange with no check on entering France.
I know that EU citizens do not have to show passports with in the EU but I assumed non EU citizens would have to be formally admitted to the country. However, we did not in one instance (Venice to Paris) and did in two others (Paris to London and London to Venice). I suppose the London experience could have been caused by it being the first actual stop from the US but I don't really understand the full drill form London to Venice and absolutely nothing concerning Immigration and Customs on the Venice to Paris trip.
Is it because the UK has not adopted the no EU passport drill?
Not a big deal but I suppose if you lost your passport somewhere in the EU, you could still travel freely until time to go back to the USA if our experience is any indication.
Cheers
First flight was from the US to Paris for a connection to London. We had to go through security in Paris for the connection but not Immigration. On arrival in London, we went through both Immigration and Customs.
Next flight was from London to Venice where we once again went through both Customs and Immigration.
Return flights required an overnight in Paris (tough duty). After arrival, we did not have to go through either Customs or Immigration (one carry on bag and two checked through to Detroit on the next day's flight). Basically we just walked off the airplane and into the Terminal where we could go as we pleased without any border formalities. We did have to go through Immigration on departure for a passport check but it seemed strange with no check on entering France.
I know that EU citizens do not have to show passports with in the EU but I assumed non EU citizens would have to be formally admitted to the country. However, we did not in one instance (Venice to Paris) and did in two others (Paris to London and London to Venice). I suppose the London experience could have been caused by it being the first actual stop from the US but I don't really understand the full drill form London to Venice and absolutely nothing concerning Immigration and Customs on the Venice to Paris trip.
Is it because the UK has not adopted the no EU passport drill? Not a big deal but I suppose if you lost your passport somewhere in the EU, you could still travel freely until time to go back to the USA if our experience is any indication.
Cheers