How to deal with customs inquiries if you can't speak English when traveling to the United States

As the Spring Festival approaches, many people plan to travel to America with their parents. If most parents can't speak English, how should they deal with customs inquiries? Come and have a look with me.

How to deal with customs inquiries if you can't speak English?

1, ask for Chinese translation.

Due to the increasing number of China tourists visiting the United States in recent years, airports in many big cities, such as Los Angeles, are equipped with Chinese translators. When the customs staff starts to ask questions in English, they just need to smile and shake their heads, show their passports or small cards that need Chinese translation below, and there will be Chinese-speaking staff to help you.

May I have a Chinese translator?

Can I have a Chinese translator?

2. Prepare a written explanation.

It is also a good choice to prepare an English description of going to the United States. The description needs to include all the basic information of the passenger (name, passport number), the purpose of coming to the United States, the length of stay, travel itinerary and other information.

3. Frequently Asked Questions of US Customs and Immigration Service

Principles of dialogue with customs:

You don't need to speak perfect English, just be short, concise and easy to understand, and you can even answer with single words.

If there are other questions, the US Customs will find someone who can speak Chinese to assist the passengers. When you enter new york and other large international airports, there are usually officials who can speak Chinese, so don't be nervous.

Let's take a look at the frequently asked questions of American Customs ~ You must know the English dialogue sentences of American Customs, and you will regret it if you don't read them!

The purpose of going to America

Question:

What's the purpose of your visit?

What brought you to America? /Why did you come to America?

Business or pleasure? /Are you on business or pleasure?

Answer:

I'm on a business trip. /I am here on business.

Sightseeing. /sightseeing

I'm here to visit my friends. /I'm here to visit my friends.

I came to attend my son's graduation ceremony. /I came to attend my son's graduation ceremony.

dwell time

Question:

How long will you stay in America? /How long will you stay?

Answer:

I will stay here for 10 days. /I will stay 10 days.

United States address

Question:

Where will you live? /Where will you live?

Answer:

I will stay at the Sheraton Hotel in Los Angeles. /I will stay at the Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

I will stay at my friend's place. /I will stay at a friend's house.

Travel itinerary

Question:

Are you going to travel during your stay? /Will you travel during your stay in America?

Where do you plan to go in America? /Where are you going to go in America?

Answer:

I will go to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas. /I will go to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas.

Hold cash

Question:

How much cash did you bring? /How much cash do you have?

Answer:

I have 2000 American dolls. /I brought two thousand dollars.

round-trip ticket

Question:

Do you have your return ticket? /Can you show me your return ticket?

Can you show me your return ticket? /Please show me your return ticket.

Answer:

Yes /OK (At the same time, show the electronic or paper ticket reservation documents to the customs staff. )

Luggage items

Question:

Have you brought food/meat? Have you brought food/meat?

What's in your bag/suitcase/luggage? What's in your bag/suitcase/luggage?

Answer:

No, I don't have any meat products. /I didn't bring any meat products.

In a word, the purpose of inquiry and inspection by US Customs is to confirm the purpose of tourists coming to the United States and prevent dangerous people or highly suspicious people from staying in the United States. Therefore, with a legal visa, passengers who have just arrived in the United States don't have to worry. As long as they answer the staff's questions truthfully according to their own situation, they can enter the country smoothly.