Airport and check-in

Visas and customs : simplifly your life

Visas and customs
Before your departure please make sure you are familiar with the regulations and entrance formalities in force at your destinations.

Visas and customs
Before travelling abroad, familiarize yourself with the country's entrance and residence formalities at their embassy or consulate, and determine the forms of identification you will be asked to present and their expiration dates.

Passengers data disclosure
To ensure aviation safety and to protect their national security, some countries require that international airline companies transmit all or part of their passengers personal information.

Procedure
Data disclosure applies regardless of the place of sale or type of booking system.
Not fulfilling this obligation toward destination countries can lead to serious consequences for airlines.

Legal obligations
Within the French and European legal framework, Air France is committed to protecting the personal information of its customers. Certain types of information are necessary in order to make a reservation and to establish a transport contract. Customers may exercise their legal rights and refuse the disclosure of their personal data.
However, such a refusal may lead to the cancellation of the trip or the inability to take advantage of certain requested services (ex : special meals).

Keep in mind
Air France transmits certain types of passengers information, provided at the time of booking, to the authorities in destination countries.

Countries with data disclosure policies
Canada, China, Cuba, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, United States.
New requirement for travel to the United States
Thinking about visiting the United States ? Starting January 12, 2009, you must make an electronic request for authorization. This new measure is for citizens of countries included in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)*.
You can request authorization for free online, via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
Please note :
- It is recommended that you make your request a minimum of 72 hours before your flight departure.
- ESTA authorization is valid for 2 years, as long as your passport is valid during that time.
- This form will eventually replace the information sheet which currently must be filled out in the airplane before landing in the United States.
- It is advised that you present a copy of this authorization to United States passport control agents and customs authorities in order to facilitate entry.
* Citizens of 35 countries can travel to the United States without a visa, for travel limited to 90 days.
These countries are : Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Unaccompanied children
Children less than 18 years old must present their identity card (which is the only piece of identification required in France and certain countries in the European union) or their own passport.
If they are travelling abroad with a national ID card, they are also required to have an authorization to leave the country, issued by their local town hall. If they are travelling with a passport in their own name, this authorization is not required.

Customs
Certain products cannot be brought into certain countries (food products and equipment, for example) : find out from the consulate or tourist office of the destination country which products it is illegal to transport.
Important
The import and export of counterfeit goods is considered a customs misdemeanour.
The buyer :
- risks fines of up to 300,000€ and up to 3 years in prison for the mere possession of a counterfeit item,
- may compromise his/her health (counterfeit spirits, perfumes and cosmetics),
- undermines French industrial heritage and craftsmanship,
- finances criminal networks.

Recommendations
To find out more, French nationals can consult the recommendations to travellers published by the "Ministère des Affaires étrangères".