Where to collect bags and clear customs transiting Helsinki

[RooFlyer]

I’ve got my mind in a bit of a knot on this one, seeing both scenarios as valid.

I’m flying Bangkok to Helsinki, transit two hours then onto Düsseldorf. Same ticket, will be checked through.

Where do I clear customs?

 

[Himeno]

Everything I've seen about transiting upon arrival in the Schengen zone is that you go through immigration at the entry port (HEL) and customs at the arrival port (DUS).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Everything I've seen about transiting upon arrival in the Schengen zone is that you go through immigration at the entry port (HEL) and customs at the arrival port (DUS).

Agree.

 

[OATEK]

I have done this a few times. Immigration is between the Schengen and non-Schengen sides of the terminal. The bags will look after themselves and have not had any real customs check at any of the Schengen airports after transit (eg VIE, CDG, BER).

 

[ausfox]

I have had similar experiences as Oatek. No problem.

 

[RooFlyer]

I have done this a few times. Immigration is between the Schengen and non-Schengen sides of the terminal. The bags will look after themselves and have not had any real customs check at any of the Schengen airports after transit (eg VIE, CDG, BER).

That’s what I couldn’t get my mind around. If you don’t clear customs on the first point of arrival how do they check on the following point? In your experience, they don’t really?

 

[OATEK]

That’s what I couldn’t get my mind around. If you don’t clear customs on the first point of arrival how do they check on the following point? In your experience, they don’t really?

I think they rely on dogs, x-rays or methods to target bags for inspection. But having done the HEL transit 5 or six times I have never experienced a bag check at final destination. And I have only once seen someone pulled aside for a bag check at the final destination, but not sure they were on the flight from HEL.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That’s what I couldn’t get my mind around. If you don’t clear customs on the first point of arrival how do they check on the following point? In your experience, they don’t really?

Intra schengen flights have a green stripe on the luggage labels/bag tags. On arrival customs just need to look for ‘all white’ bag tags to identify those from outside shengen, and insoect those if they want to.