Visa's
All visitors to the US need a valid up-to-date visa. For UK citizens travelling from the UK with a valid UK issued passport, this means having an ESTA. ESTA's cost (at the moment) $14 per person and can only be applied for online. Beware there are websites that make you think they are valid US government sites but are in fact they are 3rd party sites that will charge an extra fee. The official ESTA site is here. Payment must be made with a credit card and your card may have charges for paying in foreign currency. You will be asked a list of questions and will need passport details. Print out the document (it's not needed but may be advisable to have a copy with you). A decision is usually given immediately but it can take up to 72 hours. ESTA's are valid for 2 years.
Passports
Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay, see the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for more information. Everyone travelling from the UK requires their own passport. Passport applications.
Customs
You will be required to complete a Customs Declaration form before entry to the US, your airline will provide copies for you to complete, usually on the flight. You only need 1 per family group, an example of the form is here . The form will ask for country of residence, it's enough to enter UK. If you make any mistakes, re-do the form, Customs and Immigration will not accept a corrected form, they will send you to the back of the immigration queue to start again.
APIS
Everyone must file APIS (Advance Passenger Information) with their airline, this can be completed anytime up to travel and can be completed online with your airline. If you are travelling with BA, go to Manage My Booking and add. APIS requires passport information, date of birth, name, gender
Alcohol
Alcohol bought as duty free either at an airport or on board your flight can be brought into the State of Pennsylvania (subject to being under the allowed amount which is 1 US Gallon (a US gallon is around 3/4 of a UK gallon). So buying a litre of spirits on board is OK as long as you keep your receipt and be ready to show it if asked. The laws in Pennsylvania are complicated when it comes to the import of alcohol, it's easier to say you can't do it without paying state taxes.
Immigration
Immigration into the US is pretty straightforward (please don't let me regret saying that!) but may take a little time depending on how many flights have landed when you arrive. Just follow what the staff on duty tell you to do. If travelling as a family group (travelling together and at the same address) on the one customs form you can all approach the immigration desk together, otherwise stay behind the line. The immigration officers in Philadelphia have always been very pleasant to us when we have travelled there. Everyone is required to give a copy of their fingerprints and they will also take your photograph, just follow their (immigration officer's) directions. Immigration will stamp your customs form and hand it back to you, you don't need to show your ESTA as it is electronically stored. After clearing immigration, you enter baggage reclaim, there are no free trollies in Philly airport, you will need a card or change to pay for the trollie (non-refundable). After getting your bags, you will pass through customs, hand your stamped customs declaration form to the officer.
Now you are in Philly...WELCOME!! get ready to enjoy being a visitor to the US.
If you have any questions on any of this, get in touch.
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