Originally Posted by lost99
If they suspect you of anything, they try pressure you to make you nervous to admit something, in case you are doing anything illegal. My general advice when travelling across borders is as follows:
1. Know the country's immigration law
Certain activities/substances allowed in some countries cannot be allowed in others. For example, I may have certain perscription drug perfectly legal in my country, but not allowed in others (i have had these drugs destroyed upon arrival before). Also certain activites (i.e. prostitution) are allowed in some, but prohibitied in others. Knowing the law will let you know what you can do, and what you can say to a customs officer.
2. Prepare your story to tell Immigration
If you are travelling for Business, you should have documents, meetings, schedule setup to show the officer. If for vacation, tell the officer your itinerary, the cities you plan to visit etc.. When i travel for tourism, I tell them the cities and locations i am visiting, along with the foods and restaurtants i am going. Knowing your story in advance will help you tell the officer without getting nervous or looking suspicious.
3. Do not get nervous, act confident
I had a friend who worked at border patrol briefly, and the biggest indicator they use to locate suspicious traveller is those who have a strange story, and act nervous. They are less likely to search and detain people who have a reasonable story, and act calm and confident. Most people who are not doing anything wrong have no need to act nervous. This is just the facts, if you are a nervous person just try work on your demeanor with other strangers.
4. Be prepared to be asked any random questions
Customs/immigration will ask you any question to try "rattle" you and make you nervous. If they see condoms and porn, they may ask " you here to cheong" etc... Just be prepared to answer such questions, and make sure your answers correspond with your story above. The more your answers diverge from your story, the more likely you will be detained longer for further questioning. The purpose of detaining and making people wait hours, is to make them nervous and uncomfortable, and more likely to confess any wrongdoing if they have done something illegal. I've been detained for hours before, and let go when they don't find anything.
5. Do not carry any potentially offending items, or 'red flag' items
Don't carry any items which may raise 'red flags' with customs or immigration. Things which may look like 'drugs' (powders), liquids, condoms, porn, pictures and videos on your phone. Delete, erase, and leave them at home. Don't carry large stacks of cash (you have to report large amounts usually over 10,000 USD anyways). Customs can search anything in your belonging, and ask you questions based on that. They usually ask you about any unusual belongings to make you nervous and confess if you are doing anything illegal.
6. Be polite, honest, and straightforward with the Officer
This is obvious. People who are rude and insult the officer, can get detained, searched, fined, and possibly arrested. Officers are given broad legal powers to question and search anyone who comes into their country to preserve national security. They usually have a 'power trip' so best not to combat them or they will make your life miserable.
I am not promoting anything illegal with my advice above. I don't advocate you do anything illegal or break the law, especially when you are travelling to a foreign country. This advice is only to avoid getting detained and hassled at immigration/customs when you are there for perfectly legal purposes, such as business, tourism, etc.. It really sucks when you spend hours travelling to a new country, only to spend a few hours upon arrival getting detained and checked out before you can start you vacation or business trip.
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