While traveling the world is exciting, the process of getting to your destination is not always as fun. From packing your luggage to getting through airport security to the worst of all: the dreaded long lines of Customs – the journey to the journey is tedious. Here are five tips to keep in mind that will make going through Customs hassle-free.

1. Prepare all your documents
Always be prepared. On the flight, attendants may hand out forms to fill out when entering a new country. Be sure to fill them out before you leave the aircraft, so it saves you time and headache later. The worst thing you can do is anxiously fill out the form at the back of the room while watching the lines get longer and longer.

© Grant Wickes

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2. Stay calm
Lines, waiting and silence: everything about going through customs can cause some anxiety. The best thing you can do for yourself is to stay calm. Most rooms during the process require no cellphones and no talking, so try to relax while you wait. Everybody is on the same boat as you, just trying to get out of this boring procedure.

© Nick Harris

3. Follow directions
This sounds like a no-brainer, but the amount of ease you will find by simply following directions is incredible. Sometimes, questioning authority may be morally correct, but do not do that in an airport. Airport security is essentially national security, so there is zero tolerance for disobedience.

© B.K. McNeal

4. When in doubt, leave it out
The whole point of Customs is to make sure you are not bringing anything illegal into the country. For example, you can find a list on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website of all prohibited items. I know you just went to Italy and want to bring logs and logs of delicious prosciutto, but unfortunately that simply won’t fly.

© Carib B.

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5. Ask questions
When all else fails, don’t be afraid to ask questions. For example, ask your flight attendant if you have any questions when you are filling out forms on the flight, instead of scrambling to find answers later. Or, if you are lost to which direction to go, ask fellow fliers or nearby airport staff. Everyone wants you to get to your destination, so always be open to asking for help.

© Delta News Hub

Traveling should be fun, relaxing and hassle-free. Next time you find yourself freaking out about getting through Customs, remember: when you get through this, the exciting part is just around the corner!