Is it possible for US Customs to hold checked baggage for a flight from US to India?
We (Indian citizens) arrived India on July 1, 2016 from the USA. However, one of our (altogether four baggage were allowed for two) checked baggage didn't arrive yet. We contacted airways and they told us that it is with the US Customs. In addition, they told us they didn't have any clue why it is still being held. Airways did say that they communicated with US Customs; however, Customs didn't respond yet.
We booked a flight from the US to India. The flight goes from state A (US) to state B (US international airport) and then from state B (US international airport) to Abu Dhabi, and then Abu Dhabi to India. We were told that we should pick up all baggage in India. A surprising thing that the airline told us is that missing luggage is at the international airport of state C.
The questions here are:
Is it possible for US Customs to hold baggage (as claimed by airways)?
Is it possible for the baggage to be at the airport which is not in travel itinerary?
Best Answer
Everything is possible (although not that likely):
Customs certainly has the authority to do so. I always had the impression that, in general, they cared very little about what goes out of a country but there are things that are export-restricted (depending on the country of course): arts and antiquities, military technology (and that includes software, documents and parts, not only a full weapon system…), undeclared cash, protected animals and obviously everything that's flat-out banned like illegal drugs or forgeries.
It's possible as well, it's much less common than delays or outright losses but I have heard about a few cases of wildly misplaced luggage (admittedly a few decades ago, I don't know if it's less likely today).
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Does checked baggage go through customs?
Many wonder, \u201cdo I have to go through customs for a connecting flight?\u201d This is a common question amongst international travelers, and the answer is usually \u201cno.\u201d As long as you're not leaving the airport, your bags are checked through to your final destination and you have a boarding pass for your next flight, you won ...Do you have to get your checked luggage on a connecting international flight?
If you're connecting in the U.S., they require everyone from international flights to re-check their baggage upon the first landing point.Does my checked baggage go to final destination International?
Transfer with the same airline or with a partnerYour baggage is almost always sent to your final destination. There are some exceptions, such as North America, Australia and South Africa. If you have a transfer there, you must always collect your luggage at the baggage claim and check in again for the next flight.How do checked bags work on international flights?
If your international flight is international-domestic, then your checked baggage will likely be transferred between airlines for you. The international carrier would drop the checked bag off at the domestic airline's international ticket counter.STOPPED AT US AND INDIAN CUSTOMS/IMMIGRATION | Experience
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Answer 2
Yes, Customs can do pretty much anything they want, but, it sounds like someone is mis-reading what's in the PNR because LGA does not have Customs or any FIS.
If there was a reason to hold the bag, that would have happened at DTW.
So, as suggested above, the airline mis-handled the bag if it indeed end up at LGA. There, it's possible someone mis-read the tag thinking it came in from AUH.
This isn't common but it happens. It's good they know where the bag is so really all you can do is wait.
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