If you’re thinking of flying into Los Angeles and bringing in a couple of bees, think again. Find out about going through customs in this episode.
Slow dialog: 1:08
Explanations: 2:50
Fast dialog: 14:51
Customs Officer: Your passports, please. What is your final destination?
Özkan: Los Angeles.
Customs Officer: How long is your stay?
Özkan: We’ll be there for a week.
Customs Officer: What is the purpose of your trip?
Özkan: I’m going there on business and my family is accompanying me on vacation.
Customs Officer: Who are you traveling with?
Özkan: This is my wife Ayse, and these are my children, Mustafa and Ömer.
Customs Officer: Are you bringing in any restricted items? Any plants, fruits and vegetables, meats, or animals?
Özkan: No.
Customs Officer: Do you have anything to declare?
Özkan: We bought some duty-free items in the airport. Here’s the receipt.
Customs Officer: That’s fine. Step over to the exam station for baggage inspection.
...
We opened our bags for inspection, and luckily, the inspector found nothing to confiscate and we got off scot-free. I’m really glad they didn’t find that cat we’re smuggling in as a gift for my favorite podcaster!

Script by Dr. Lucy Tse