'Going through customs' Immigration  

Going through customs

igloo from West Virginia -

We plan a visit to Panama in January for a lengthy stay to see if we want to relocate or not.

How tough is going through customs and how long does it take. I would like to know about U.S. customs as well as Panama customs - leaving U.S. and arriving in Panama and leaving Panama and arriving U.S.

I read somewhere that an expat preferred flying through Houston instead of Miami since the Houston customs seemed less of a hassle. Thaks in advance.

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Comment #1 Jim from New York -

The last time I went to Panama I arrived on a flight from Colombia. There was almost no one (passengers) at customs and no one asked us any questions.

Another time I went to Panama from Costa Rica and customs was mobbed with people (passengers). Someone was going through the line waiving people through... we were lucky and didn't get inspected.

On flights from Panama to Costa Rica, Costa Rican customs was always very aggressive, nasty and had agents going the lines harassing passengers. On flights from Colombia to Costa Rica most of the time customs was completely closed.

If they think something is up with a pasenger on a flight you can be sure that they will be alert and aggressive. Though, normally you shouldn't expect any hassle.

Comment #2 Kristin (205.188.117.5) -

I traveled from Belize to Miami and Belize to Houston. DEFINITELY pick Houston!!! Miami was HOURS and HOURS long moving an inch at a time. Really BAD! Houston was much more managable.

Comment #3 COIN-OPERATED-BOY from nowherelandia -

well as for me, my mom told me, who worked there for a long time, said that Panama's customs were not so strict. a lot of time you can get by them, but if ever you got asked, it actually no problem at all.

Comment #4 Jim from New York -

I think the United States breeds people who are afraid. Maybe it is the US's overly agressive police, immigration and law enforcement that makes American's belive the rest of the world is like that.

Relax.

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