Baggage clearance requirement when exiting Auckland airport while in transit to Brisbane Australia from US
I am flying to Brisbane tomorrow from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Houston, then on to Auckland (7 hours there), then to Brisbane. I am planning to exit the airport in Auckland to see friends in Auckland. Do I have to offload all my baggage in Auckland, then check in again? I am assuming so, but can I check in baggage immediately, or do I have to wait until 3 hours before the Brisbane flight?
Best Answer
Whether or not you need to collect your bags on an extended connection will depend on the airline. Some have rules that more than X hours (where X could be as few as 6-8 hours, but is normally more like 12 hours), or a connection that is overnight, will require you to collect and re-check your bags. Other airlines will not require you to collect them for a stay of less than 24 hours.
For 7 hours it is extremely unlikely that you will need to collect your bags. This is well within the timeframe that they will be automatically transferred for you on a connection like this.
Note that as of October 1, 2019, in order to do what you are suggesting you will need to obtain an NZeTA and pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) - at a total of just under NZ$50. If you were simply in transit (ie, not entering the country) you would still need the NZeTA, but will not need to pay the IVL, bringing the cost down to around NZ$10. (If you're an NZ/Australian citizen you don't need to pay these fees, but basically all other travelers will)
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How long does it take to clear customs at Auckland Airport?
As stated, 3 hours is the recommended norm.Do I have to go through security again for connecting flight?
For connecting domestic flights, you almost never have to exit and reenter security, though there are some exceptions at airports where the terminals aren't all connected. For domestic-to-international connection, it's still pretty rare that you have to exit and reenter security, even if you're changing terminals.Can you transit Auckland Airport?
If you are transiting in Auckland to another international flight you need to go to the transit and transfer area. Within the transit and transfer area you will undergo security screening which is required before you can board your next flight.How early do I need to be at Auckland airport for international flight?
We recommend the eight hour stay if you are a passenger with a long international to international transit. If you are unsure whether the airline will allow a check-in earlier than three hours prior to your flight departure, please check before booking to avoid disappointment.Auckland Airport International Transit Experience, 20-DEC-2020.
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