do we have to go through customs when travelling to/from stt from the continental us?

Not entering but, upon exiting, yes when you go through both Customs and Immigration. The USCI is a Port of Entry into the US. When you come in and to save you time on the way out, pick up a customs declaration form so you have it to hand and can complete it before your departure.

Hi, I just got back and heard the tip about picking up the custom form upon arrival. I know STT is busier and I left from STX, but when we are talking the time to fill out the form it literally took me 5 minutes and I just got it at departure. I did not declare that much, but I'm thinking unless you go over the $1,600 or whatever it is, it should only take you 5 to 10 minutes to fill it out. I guess I could be missing something, but I am not sure why lots of forums make a big deal about picking this simple form up at arrival. STT, what am I missing on this? I know it is all over tripadvisor to do it, bit if it would have only saved me 4 or 5 minutes, I can think of other ways to save more time in different areas. Is this tip mainly for the mega jewelry shopper types that declare over $10,000? As soon as my plane left I was thinking of that tip on beautiful bills list, but could not think of what I was missing with it.

Aside from 'mega jewelry shoppers' it really is more dependent on airport traffic and one's idea of convenience. The time to complete may only be 4-5 minutes but it takes you out of the line and by the time you return (to the end of the line) you may now be 30 minutes out. Of course if the line is slow moving you might be able to complete while standing but then you're juggling pen, form, passport, etc. To each his/her own.

Ok, thank you and that makes sense. I think a lot of it was me leaving from STX because there was basically no one else there. I think if I was leaving out of STT I would probably do it because it seemed like a much busier airport.

Quote
just4steven
Hi, I just got back and heard the tip about picking up the custom form upon arrival. I know STT is busier and I left from STX, but when we are talking the time to fill out the form it literally took me 5 minutes and I just got it at departure. I did not declare that much, but I'm thinking unless you go over the $1,600 or whatever it is, it should only take you 5 to 10 minutes to fill it out. I guess I could be missing something, but I am not sure why lots of forums make a big deal about picking this simple form up at arrival. STT, what am I missing on this? I know it is all over tripadvisor to do it, bit if it would have only saved me 4 or 5 minutes, I can think of other ways to save more time in different areas. Is this tip mainly for the mega jewelry shopper types that declare over $10,000? As soon as my plane left I was thinking of that tip on beautiful bills list, but could not think of what I was missing with it.

Well, that's the issue for me. I can do it the morning of departure, sitting at the kitchen table in the condo, with a working pen and my reading glasses. I'm not concerned with busy foot traffic all around, stacking up all of my luggage at my feet, holding onto tickets and reading materials....and being concerned about the lengthening line queuing up at TSA. It's just far too easy to have one less thing on my mind when going through a busy terminal.

I enjoy being prepared and walking past those travelers still taking their 3 minutes to fill out the form ))))))

It really takes 3-5 minutes. I think it would be more convient for travelers if the airline would hand them a blank form and let them know to fill it out. People are concerned with flight, luggage, etc, so a little reminder by the airlines wouldn't hurt. My sister usually keeps a bunch of blank ones at her house because of all the family that visits.