Travel & Culture - Baggage Claim & Customs

Activity 1: Let's Get Started! 🤔 (Warm-up)

Let's talk about getting your bags and entering a country!

Where do you go to get your big suitcases after a flight?
What is "customs"? Why do airports have customs checks?
What kind of things might you need to tell a customs officer about? (Example: food, expensive gifts)

Activity 2: New Words & Phrases 🗣️ (Vocabulary)

Here are some important words for baggage claim and customs!

1. Baggage Claim: The area where you pick up your checked luggage after your flight.

Example: "Our flight has landed, let's go to Baggage Claim."

2. Carousel: A moving belt where suitcases are delivered at baggage claim.

Example: "Look for your flight number above the Carousel to find your bags."

3. Customs Declaration Form: A paper you fill out about goods you are bringing into a country.

Example: "Do I need to fill out a Customs Declaration Form for this country?"

4. Nothing to Declare: A lane or statement for people who do not have goods that need to be declared to customs.

Example: "If you only have personal items, you can usually go through the 'Nothing to Declare' lane."

5. Goods to Declare: A lane or statement for people who have items (like large amounts of money, certain foods, or expensive gifts) that must be reported to customs.

Example: "If you are bringing in more than $10,000, you must use the 'Goods to Declare' lane."

Activity 3: Reading - After the Flight Lands 📖

Read this story about collecting bags and going through customs.

After a long flight, Maria was happy to land. First, she followed the signs to Baggage Claim. There were many people waiting. She found a screen that showed her flight number and the number of the Carousel where her bags would arrive. She stood by Carousel 4 and waited. Soon, she saw her red suitcase coming around on the moving belt! She quickly grabbed it. Next, Maria had to go through customs. Before her trip, she had checked if she needed to fill out a Customs Declaration Form. For this country, she didn't need a paper form if she had nothing special to report. She saw two lines: one said "Goods to Declare" and the other said "Nothing to Declare." Since Maria only had her clothes and some small souvenirs, she chose the "Nothing to Declare" line. A customs officer smiled and waved her through. Maria was officially in the new country and ready for her vacation!

Questions about the Story:

Answer these questions:

Where did Maria go after her flight landed?
How did Maria know which Carousel her bags would be on?
What did Maria need to do after collecting her suitcase?
Which line did Maria choose at customs? Why?
Did Maria need to fill out a paper Customs Declaration Form?

Activity 4: Role Play - At Customs 🎭

Let's pretend! One person is Mr. Chen (Traveler), and the other is Officer Davis (Customs Officer).

Mr. Chen (Traveler): (Approaching the customs desk)

Officer Davis (Customs Officer): Good afternoon, sir. Welcome. Do you have your passport and Customs Declaration Form, if required?

Mr. Chen (Traveler): Good afternoon. Here is my passport. I was told I don't need a form if I have nothing to declare.

Officer Davis (Customs Officer): That's correct for most personal travel. Are you bringing any commercial goods, large amounts of currency, or restricted agricultural products into the country?

Mr. Chen (Traveler): No, nothing like that. Just my personal belongings for my holiday. So, I have Nothing to Declare.

Officer Davis (Customs Officer): Alright. And where did you find your luggage? Was the Baggage Claim area easy to navigate?

Mr. Chen (Traveler): Yes, the Baggage Claim was clearly signed. I found my bags on Carousel number 3.

Officer Davis (Customs Officer): Excellent. Sometimes travelers bring specific Goods to Declare, like expensive gifts they plan to leave here.

Mr. Chen (Traveler): I understand. No, just some small gifts for friends, well under the limit.

Officer Davis (Customs Officer): Very good, sir. Everything seems in order. Enjoy your stay!

Let's Talk About It:

After you read, talk about this:

What did Officer Davis ask Mr. Chen about regarding items he might be bringing in?
Where did Mr. Chen say he found his luggage?

Activity 5: Let's Practice - Customs Questions ✍️

Help Lisa (Traveler) complete her part of the dialogue. Customs Officer (Officer) will speak first. Use words from Activity 2!

Officer: Welcome. Did you have a good flight? Did you find your bags okay at the ?

Lisa (Traveler): Yes, thank you. I found my suitcase on number 5.

Officer: Good. Do you have a to submit?

Lisa (Traveler): No, I was told I don't need one if I have .

Officer: That's correct. So, no large amounts of cash, or specific foods or plants?

Lisa (Traveler): No, nothing like that. I don't have any .

Officer: Alright then. You're all set. Enjoy your visit!

Lisa (Traveler): Thank you very much!

Officer: You're welcome. Proceed to the exit.

Lisa (Traveler): I will. Thanks again!

Show Answers! (Activity 5) ✨